Frydrich
Level 1 (8 points)
Apple TV

Q: 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

by Zurclocred,Solvedanswer
Zurclocred Zurclocred
Level 1 (25 points)
Apple Music
A:

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.

Posted on Oct 22, 2016 2:54 AM

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Frydrich

Q: Apple TV Security concern (tvOS 10)

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  • by Winston Churchill,Apple recommended

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Oct 22, 2016 2:55 AM in response to Frydrich
    Level 10 (104,521 points)
    Apple TV
    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.

  • by Frydrich,

    Frydrich Frydrich Oct 15, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple TV
    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.

  • by Zurclocred,Solvedanswer

    Zurclocred Zurclocred Oct 22, 2016 2:54 AM in response to Frydrich
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Apple Music
    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.

  • by Frydrich,

    Frydrich Frydrich Oct 22, 2016 2:58 AM in response to Zurclocred
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 2:58 AM in response to Zurclocred

    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!

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Oct 22, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Zurclocred
    Level 10 (104,521 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Zurclocred

    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

  • by Zurclocred,

    Zurclocred Zurclocred Oct 22, 2016 2:38 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Apple Music
    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.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Oct 22, 2016 3:27 PM in response to Zurclocred
    Level 10 (104,521 points)
    Apple TV
    Oct 22, 2016 3:27 PM in response to Zurclocred

    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.