Connected TV (CTV) is a television or set-top device that streams video over the internet and can receive digital ads. Unlike traditional broadcast TV, CTV is part of the internet-delivered media stack, so it uses apps, accounts, telemetry, and ad-tech systems to deliver and measure viewing.
In cyber security, CTV matters because it expands the attack surface of both homes and advertising platforms. Attackers may abuse fake streaming apps, compromised devices, or ad-injection schemes to generate invalid traffic, steal viewer data, or distort campaign metrics. Defenders look for signed apps, secure device updates, account protection, and fraud detection that spots unusual viewing patterns, bot-like requests, or mismatched device signals. Because CTV combines media, identity, and commerce, security failures can affect both user privacy and ad integrity.