Can my router or smart TV be hijacked to mine Monero?

Yes, your router or smart TV can be hijacked to run mining software if an attacker finds a security weakness. Secretly using your device to mine cryptocurrency is called cryptojacking. But modern Monero mining is demanding, so most routers and smart TVs are poor targets for earning XMR, even though they can still be compromised.

Why these devices are unlikely Monero miners

Monero uses RandomX, a mining method designed to favor CPUs—the main processors inside computers. Its fast mode needs a working dataset of about 2 GB in memory. A lighter mode uses a 256 MB cache, but mines much more slowly.

Many routers have too little memory and processing power to do this effectively. Smart TVs may have more memory, but their processors are built mainly for running apps and playing video, not sustained mining.

That means “technically possible” does not mean “profitable.” An infected device might instead mine another coin, pass along an attacker’s internet traffic, or help attack other systems. You should not assume every hacked router is mining Monero.

How an attacker could get in

For your router, common entry points include:

• An unchanged or weak administrator password.
• Outdated firmware, the software built into the device.
• An exposed remote-management feature that allows access from the internet.
• A security flaw that has not been patched.

For your smart TV, risks include outdated system software and untrusted apps, especially apps installed from outside its official store.

A compromised router could also redirect you toward fake websites or try to interfere with unencrypted web traffic. That does not mean it can freely rewrite secure HTTPS pages, which encrypt traffic between your browser and the website.

A TV’s browser could run unwanted mining code while a malicious page is open. That is different from a deeper infection that keeps running after you close the browser.

What signs should you look for?

Possible clues include unusual heat, sluggish menus, repeated crashes, or a router that suddenly becomes unreliable. You might also notice unfamiliar apps, changed router settings, or warnings from security software on another device.

None of these proves mining. Poor ventilation, aging hardware, software updates, and ordinary network problems can cause similar symptoms.

A mining connection may use little bandwidth, so normal-looking internet usage does not rule it out. Equally, a large data spike is not proof of mining. Identifying Monero specifically usually requires inspecting the running software or network connections.

What you can do safely

If you suspect a compromise:

• Disconnect the affected device from the internet while you investigate.
• From a trusted device, check the manufacturer’s recovery and update instructions.
• Install supported updates and change the router’s administrator password to a strong, unique one.
• Disable remote administration unless you genuinely need it.
• Remove unfamiliar TV apps. If needed, factory-reset the device and configure it again without restoring a potentially compromised backup.

A reset is not a guaranteed cure for every infection. Contact the manufacturer or your internet provider if suspicious behavior returns. Replace devices that no longer receive security updates.

Avoid pop-ups offering a paid “Monero virus cleaner.” These can be scams themselves.

The bottom line

Your router or TV can be hijacked, but efficient Monero mining on typical models is unlikely. Treat unexplained changes as a reason to check security—not as proof of mining—and focus on updates, strong passwords, and trusted apps.