Apple TV Security concern (tvOS 10)

Question

Level 1

4 points

Apple TV Security concern (tvOS 10)

Something odd just happened, I had a movie playing on my ATV and suddenly the movie was interrupted by an iPad that tried to connect. (a screen with the name of the iPad and four digits already entered into the "boxes"). The screen was like that for a few seconds and then disappeared.

The name of the iPad told me that it was my neighbours two year old sons iPad. The strange thing is that they are not connected to my wifi and never have been. I looked up the connected devices on the apple tv but the iPad didn't show up. Also checked which devices that was connected to the network and only devices I know was in the list. Also did a scan for bluetooth devices but it didn't show up there either.

So what just happened here? The wifi is protected with WPA2 with a key that can't be guessed and the family living next door is on a technical level that they barely know how to turn on and off a lamp.

Anyway this was really strange! Any ideas?

Apple TV, iOS 10

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 11:42 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 22, 2016 2:55 AM in response to Frydrich

They may well be using the bluetooth feature for creating an AirPlay connection. There are 2 security methods available to protect you. Both settings are in Settings > AirPlay > Access Control > Security.

The first is a pass code (which may well be what you saw happening), which generates an onscreen code when a device tries to AirPlay to the Apple TV, the second is a password which is a code you choose in advance and isn't shown on screen.

Obviously the password is likely better for you if you have neighbours in Bluetooth range, you will however have to remember it.

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Answer 2

Frydrich Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 15, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Thanks, I'll try the password option, I thought you had to be on the same wifi to be able to access the Apple TV and just couldn't make sense of it. Thanks again.

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Answer 3

Oct 22, 2016 2:54 AM in response to Frydrich

This is a known security issue, introduced in IOS 8. Apple don't recognise it as anything else but a feature, despite numerous of complains over the last couple of years.

As someone living in an apartment, I have to keep my Airplay off on my Apple TV. It's the only way preventing my neighbours from trying to connect to my Apple TV, which makes my TV turn on or interrupt my streaming. Setting a password, or other access restrictions, does not prevent these things from happening. When I had Airplay turned on, I often came home to a TV that have been turned on for hours.

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Answer 4

Frydrich Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2016 2:58 AM in response to HelloAndreas

Thanks, there have been no interruptions since I turned on Airplay password but it doesn't occur very often so it might be showing up again then I guess.

Thanks for clarifying!

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Answer 5

Oct 22, 2016 7:40 AM in response to HelloAndreas

Zurclocred wrote:

This is a known security issue

Nonsense.

Zurclocred wrote:

I have to keep my Airplay off on my Apple TV. It's the only way preventing my neighbours from trying to connect to my Apple TV

Nonsense

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Answer 6

Oct 22, 2016 2:38 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Nonsense? If you believe this is nonsense, I don't think you know how the pairing works since the IOS 8 update.

Your suggestion with turning on password protection only protects against actual content streaming. Neighbours will still be able to select your Apple TV on their phone, and by selecting it they also turn on the Apple TV from sleep mode to fully wake to show the password prompt. When your neighbours do so, if you have your Apple TV connected via HDMI-CEC, they will also turn on your TV if it's off.

OP labels this as a security concern and I tend to agree. Turning off Airplay is the only way to prevent neighbours from controlling the "on" status of your Apple TV and possibly TV.

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Answer 7

Oct 22, 2016 3:27 PM in response to HelloAndreas

Being able to wake your Apple TV is a security security concern, do me a favour, if your wireless phone rings at home it can also wake up your Apple TV, do you consider this to be a security concern too. Sorry but this is indeed nonsense.

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