Millions of low-cost Android devices turn home networks into crime platforms
1 min read
Summary
Low-cost streaming devices, in-vehicle entertainment systems and video projectors widespread infected with malware, warns the FBI.
Known as BadBox, the malware is based on Triada, a malware strain that was encountered in 2016 and managed to bypass Android’s security protections.
It made a comeback a year later, with devices coming pre-infected straight to consumers.
In 2019, Google confirmed that a supply-chain attack had affected thousands of devices, with the company having to take measures to thwart it.
Security firm Human Security found BigBox, a backdoor derived from Triada, preinstalled on thousands of Chinese-manufactured devices.
The malware was installed on 74,000 devices globally and was used for advertising fraud and creating fake Gmail and WhatsApp accounts, among other things.
