Google acknowledges issues with malware-infested Android TV devices (AllWinner & RockChip)

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

"Google was in the news for all the wrong reasons last week, despite not bearing much (if any) responsibility for the trouble. The issue began when streaming devices using Android TV code and manufactured in China were found to be sold preloaded with malware that could be used to launch cyber attacks.

 

Device manufacturers AllWinner and RockChip were the two companies whose devices were demonstrably infected, but there may be others as well. These corrupted devices are not powered by the official Android TV operating system, which is licensed by Google. But thanks to the Android Open Source Project, the makers of these streaming players can build an interface using some Android TV code, and create unlicensed versions of Google apps and the Play Store so that customers think they are getting the real deal."

 

(more)

 

https://thestreamable.com/news/google-acknowledges-issues-with-malware-infested-android-tv-devices-offers-tips-to-avoid-danger

 

 

Popular Android TV boxes sold on Amazon are laced with malware

 

"AllWinner and RockChip might not be household names, but the two China-based companies power several wildly popular Android TV boxes that are sold on Amazon.

 

These Android-powered television set-top boxes are typically cheap and are highly customizable, packing several streaming services into a single device, rather than buying separate hardware. Their listings on Amazon boast four-out-of-five star ratings and collectively racked up thousands of praiseworthy reviews.

 

But security researchers say the models are sold preloaded with malware capable of launching coordinated cyberattacks."

 

(more)

 

https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/18/popular-android-tv-boxes-sold-on-amazon-are-laced-with-malware/

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

FWIW, just coincidental to this news, I was back in the U.S. recently, and stopped by Walmart to buy their new version on the Onn TV 4K streaming box with Google's new Google TV interface (Android OS 12). Retail price $20 U.S., and an official Google OS device with the official Netflix app as well.

 

Brought it back home here, set it up, and have been using it the past couple weeks, and it works perfectly fine for streaming, just as well as Amazon's Fire TV sticks. But the Onn TV device, unlike recent Fire TV devices, has the advantage of easily being able to install a custom launcher that hides all the manufacturer bloatware and self-promotion.

 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Google-TV-4K-Streaming-Box/2835618394?wmlspartner=wlpa&

 

• 4K UHD resolution TV streaming
• 2 GB RAM with 8 GB Storage
• WiFi: 2.4/5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO
• Compatible with Google Assistant
• CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A35, GPU: Mali-G31 MP2
• Dolby Audio
• Fast WiFi
• Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 250mA max; Output: DC 5V/1A
• Google TV OS - easily setup with your Google account

 

 

The prior version of the Onn TV 4K box, which was the Android TV instead of the newer Google TV version, was resold here on Lazada in the past. But I haven't checked lately to see whether any of the Lazada resellers now are offering the newer, just released version of the Onn TV device.

 

I have nothing personal against the two Chinese ATV device makers discussed in the OP news report...and those brands certainly are popular here... But when you can have an official, certified 4K Google TV streaming device for $20, the case for buying Chinese, non Google certified hardware gets tougher.

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[topt]

23 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The issue began when streaming devices using Android TV code and manufactured in China were found to be sold preloaded with malware that could be used to launch cyber attacks.

Reported in AV forum over a month ago - 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1292075-buying-a-cheap-android-box/

 

22 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I have nothing personal against the two Chinese ATV device makers discussed in the OP news report...and those brands certainly are popular here..

As far as I know the 2 companies mentioned make the chips that run the boxes - but don't actually make any boxes themselves.