2006-11-17 12:24:01 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Televisions do not get viruses because they run software that is stored on firmware (microchips that cannot be re-programmed easily AND cannot be re-programmed through external audio/video inputs). Cable boxes, satellite dishes and other units that accept data from outside sources ARE susceptible to viruses, but that avenue has not been exploited YET. Cellular phones, however, are beginning to accept new programs from outside sources. There have been incidents where cellular phones have caught viruses, rendering them inoperable. See the link I've included below. Home telephones do not run any software at all, and advanced home telephones that run software are not susceptible to viruses for the same reason that televisions are not. PLEASE NOTE: This information is susceptible to change, as devices are becoming smarter and beginning to accept new programs from external resources. If you're reading this after the year 2010, you're probably laughing.
2006-11-17 12:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by warmwardbound 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Viruses aren't like colds. Not really. They're just software programs that do malicious things. So since TVs don't run programs like computers do, there's no way to infect it with a virus. However, some phones do run programs and can get viruses. It's just that the programs only run on the phones so those can't infect a PC which runs different kinds of programs.
2006-11-17 20:28:12 · answer #2 · answered by GrayTheory 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi there,
Viruses are small peice of software and they need Hard drive or memory (RAM) to infect and reside. Therefore thay can affect Computers, Cellphones but not TVs.
Reason: TVs don't have memory. Though other devices like iPod may also be infected with viruses as they have memory also.
Arash Shirali...
2006-11-17 20:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by arash_shirali2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yet! The information protocol for them was designed before or just after the first microprocessor. But cell phones and their information protocol was designed very recently, also, G3 mobiles are coming and HD TV. It won't be long before someone decides to include commands to "enhance the user experience," and then it will be only a matter of time.
2006-11-17 21:05:57 · answer #4 · answered by Bad bus driving wolf 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anything with a "memory" can get infected. Another factor is access to them. Techincally, TVs can get infected if someone were to access its memory. For example, if you can't see your Playboy channel because it's distorted, that is some type of "virus" from the cable company itself. Phones nowadays can get infected because they connect to the web, which means accessibility from hackers. If so inclined, a hacker can hack inside the cable systems and put a virus, let's say, in your TiVo, and have you not be able to record. Etc etc.
2006-11-17 20:35:15 · answer #5 · answered by Jon Skywalker 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because TVs and telephones are embedded systems; but PCs are multi threaded systems + the simplicity of TVs and Telephones protect them from viruses
2006-11-17 20:28:54 · answer #6 · answered by accessor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A virus is a piece of software, and TVs or telephones don't use programmable software.
2006-11-17 20:27:22 · answer #7 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cell phones do. TV's don't because they have no memory to infect.
2006-11-17 20:27:07 · answer #8 · answered by sethsdadiam 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋