Android TV box malware found in 1.3M devices
You buy a streaming box, plug it into your television and connect it to Wi-Fi.A few minutes later, you're watching your favorite show.
Everything seems perfectly normal.But what if that little box has been secretly working for criminals since the day you brought it home?That's the alarming discovery behind a massive Android TV box malware operation involving more than 1.3 million devices worldwide.
According to a Nov.2 report from Google's Threat Intelligence Group, investigators concluded with high confidence that a device manufacturer deliberately installed hidden software inside streaming hardware.
That backdoor gave outsiders remote access without the owners knowing.And here's what makes this particularly concerning.The malware was built directly into the devices, and some affected products made it through Google's own security certification process.
In other words, buyers could do everything right and still end up with compromised hardware.Missed CyberGuy LIVE? Watch the replay and discover 5 ways to travel smarter and save money.Our free CyberGuy LIVE class, 5 Ways to Travel Smarter and Save Money, has ended, but you can still watch the full replay.Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you through five practical ways to protect your phone and personal information, avoid common travel scams, find better deals, save money on bookings and use technology to make your travels easier and less stressful.
No technical experience is needed.Watch the free replay + downloadable checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.CHEAP ANDROID PHONES FOUND WITH MALWARE ALREADY INSTALLEDResearchers discovered preinstalled malware in a MECOOL KM9PRO Max streaming box, allowing criminals to access the device without the owner's knowledge.(MECOOL)Google says the operation involved Videostrong Technology, a China-based company that manufactures Android-powered devices for different brands.
According to investigators, Videostrong developed and installed malicious software called XCPE.Google asse...