Android TV Box Malware has been confirmed on numerous cheap boxes available for purchase on the Internet.

Subscription streaming services have become so expensive that many people are turning to cheap Android streaming boxes as an alternative. TROYPOINT has often referred to these streaming devices as “Generic Android TV Boxes” due to the fact that they run a modified version of the same Android OS that you would typically find on a phone or tablet.

The user interface on these devices are less than ideal and require a mouse pointer to interact with many applications.

For just a few dollars, these devices promise to provide cheap or even free access to copyrighted content, no technical skills required. But is there a catch? As one popular YouTuber recently discovered, many of these boxes come pre-installed with malware that can do all kinds of scary things on your network, including stealing login credentials and launching DDOS attacks.

TROYPOINT stopped reviewing these cheap Android TV Boxes a few years ago due to these security risks, poor quality, and better choices that hit the market.

Once upon a time, the only affordable choices were either an Amazon Fire TV streaming device or one of these cheap China Android TV Boxes.

Once the new Android TV operating system took off, there was no need to use these cheap devices anymore due to better quality systems that are also extremely affordable.

Plus, Android TV is much easier to use because it’s designed for the television and works great with a remote control.

The popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips recently released a video that warns people about the dangers of using these generic Android TV Boxes.

Following the video, I will provide my opinions on this matter and offer some tips that you can take to remain safe.

Android TV Box Malware & False Advertising Video

 

We Can’t Trust Those Who Break Laws

First, it’s important to note that these devices are nothing new, and the market for cheap Android streaming boxes has been around for years.

This will only continue to increase as people get sick of spending money on entertainment that they can stream for free.

However, it’s important to remember that the kinds of people who are willing to help you circumvent copyright law tend to be the same kinds of people who don’t care about other laws either, such as privacy or data collection laws.

The same holds true for the thousands of unverified IPTV services out there.

I’m amazed when I see people purchase IPTV services for $10 per month yet don’t protect themselves with a VPN like Surfshark and then willingly input their personal information along with a valid credit card into the checkout screen.

Do you really trust these people with your identifying IP address, credit card info, and other personal information?

Or what about the free streaming apps or 3rd party Kodi addons? Same applies here as well.

It’s important to note that running a VPN will not protect you from everything.

You should be taking additional steps to protect your identity by paying for services with Coinbase or Abine Blur.

Friendly Android TV User Interface But Beware

When you first set up one of these boxes, you’ll be greeted with a friendly setup process and brought to a home screen that looks at least vaguely like Android TV.

However, if you’re running a network sniffer like in the video above, you might start to see red flags in what seems to be a best-case scenario.

The box might be trying to ping an address with “fota” in the URL, which stands for firmware over the air and is relatively standard Android behavior.

However, if you look up the IP that the URL is pointing to, it’s likely referring to a location located in China.

While this isn’t a problem in and of itself, with China’s looser regulations, there are no guarantees that the firmware you download will be clean or that it will even be firmware at all.

CopyCat Android Malware

When DesktopECHO inspected the file systems of some of these boxes using Android debug bridge in the above video, he found countless attempts to contact URLs that were made up of jumbled letters and lesser-used top-level domains.

They were attempting to dump payloads into the now-notorious “core Java” directory, which is a relative of CopyCat, an Android malware with truly terrifying capabilities.

The original

The malware infected around 14 million devices and was primarily created to generate and steal ad revenue. Due to its ability to root devices, inject itself with launched apps, and manipulate network activity, it can be misused for various illegal activities.

Unfortunately, even if you manage to block known malicious behaviors, it won’t shield you from unforeseen threats. These devices often come with pre-rooted features like alternative app stores and a modified version of Kodi, raising concerns about their security.

One approach could be to replace the stock operating system with a clean ROM, but this process is challenging. While some resellers offer firmware images, the availability and reliability of these files may be questionable. At times, flashing a new ROM could result in a return to the initial state, including core Java folders.

Considering the lack of security, fake RAM, and substandard components in many cheap Android TV boxes, they may not deliver as promised and could pose risks to your network. While there might be niche uses for these devices, opting for more reliable and secure alternatives is advisable to safeguard your privacy and streaming experience.

To distinguish a subpar Android box, stick to trusted brands like Google, Amazon, MECOOL, BuzzTV, Formuler, and Ugoos. Off-brands may lack reliability, so avoiding unknown brands without a strong reputation is recommended.

If you’re using an unreliable Android TV box, it’s advisable to switch to a reputable one. Activate the CleanWeb option in Surfshark VPN to block potential malware threats. Additionally, avoid logging into sensitive accounts on these devices and use third-party app stores that do not require personal information.

For those looking to purchase Android TV boxes, our updated list includes options for both budget-friendly and premium systems to suit different needs and preferences.