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Block Smart TV Internet Access

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

This guide shows you how to stop your Smart TV from connecting to the internet, improving privacy and preventing unwanted data usage. We’ll cover methods using your router settings (recommended) and the TV itself.

Blocking Internet Access via Your Router (Recommended)

This is the best way as it affects only the TV and doesn’t rely on its menus, which can change with updates.

Step 1: Find Your TV’s MAC Address

  1. On your Smart TV: Go to Settings. The exact location varies by brand (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.). Look for options like ‘Network’, ‘About this TV’, or ‘Connection Information’.
  2. Find the ‘MAC Address’ (sometimes called ‘Physical Address’). It’s a 12-character code using numbers and letters (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). Write it down!

Step 2: Access Your Router’s Settings

  1. Find your router’s IP address: On Windows, open Command Prompt and type 
    ipconfig

    . Look for ‘Default Gateway’. On macOS, open Terminal and type 

    netstat -rn | grep default

    .

  2. Open a web browser: Type your router’s IP address into the address bar and press Enter.
  3. Log in: You’ll need your router’s username and password. If you haven’t changed them, check the sticker on your router or consult its manual (often ‘admin’ for both).

Step 3: Block the MAC Address

  1. Find Access Control/MAC Filtering: Router interfaces vary. Look for sections like ‘Access Control’, ‘MAC Filtering’, ‘Parental Controls’, or ‘Device Management’.
  2. Add a new rule: Choose to *block* (or deny) the MAC address you wrote down in Step 1. Some routers let you create schedules too, if you only want to block access at certain times.
  3. Save your settings: Click ‘Apply’, ‘Save’, or similar. Your router may restart.

Blocking Internet Access on the Smart TV (Less Reliable)

This method relies on the TV’s software and menus, which can change with updates.

Step 1: Disconnect from Wi-Fi

  1. Go to Settings > Network.
  2. Select your Wi-Fi network and choose ‘Disconnect’.

Step 2: Disable Ethernet (If Applicable)

  1. If you use a wired connection, go to Settings > Network > Ethernet.
  2. Disable the Ethernet connection.

Step 3: Check for Data Saving/Network Restrictions

  1. Some TVs have options like ‘Data Saver’ or ‘Network Usage’. Explore these settings; you might find a way to restrict internet access. The location varies greatly by brand and model.

Testing the Block

  1. Try an app: Open an app that requires internet (e.g., Netflix, YouTube). It should fail to connect.
  2. Browser test: If your TV has a browser, try loading a website. It shouldn’t load.

Re-enabling Internet Access

To re-enable access, simply reverse the steps above:

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