Google dismantled the XCPE botnet and banned box maker Videostrong. Here's what it means for your streaming box.
Google dismantled XCPE, a backdoor that enrolled more than 1.3 million Android TV set-top boxes into a botnet.
Google says it is highly confident box maker Videostrong built the backdoor and sold access to criminal affiliates.
Infected boxes acted as residential proxies, faked ad views and copied account details. Operators could take screenshots.
The U.S. had roughly 26,000 to 42,000 infected devices. MECOOL-branded boxes are the ones researchers flagged most.
Resets may not clean it. Disconnect suspect boxes and buy streaming hardware from reputable, big-name brands instead.
Google Takes Down a 1.3 Million-Device Android TV Box Botnet, and Says the Box Maker Built It