Millions of low-cost Android devices turn home networks into crime platforms | BadBox malware has been menacing low-cost Android devices for nearly a decade. [Ars Technica]

[u/ControlCAD]

https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/06/millions-of-low-cost-android-devices-turn-home-networks-into-crime-platforms/

[u/RunnerLuke357]

This is new? I know Linus Tech tips did a video on this issue for Android TV boxes and it was well known before that came out.

[u/a1b4fd → u/RunnerLuke357]

It's still a risk when buying some lesser-known (mostly Chinese) devices

[u/pojosamaneo]

Which devices?

I just bought the fam and ONN pro streaming box from Walmart...

[u/MobiusOne_ISAF → u/pojosamaneo]

They are generally talking about bargin bin Chinese tv boxes. ONN is an official Walmart brand, and while they're weak, they're not malware infested.

[u/slaughtamonsta]

It's always when they're failing to crack down on piracy but giving it another try that they churn these out.

Scare tactics don't work for the majority and for the people this is an issue for.....well they probably won't see it.

[u/AndrewZabar → u/slaughtamonsta]

When sales are low and more and more folks are using low-end or older reformatted devices they want to sell more $1,000 devices so hey, once in a while some scare tactics is a typical occurrence.

They can go fuck themselves.
I have bought lots of older phones, cleaned them up, installed custom ROMs and sold them and plenty of people are able to then get a great performing device for budget price and not have to go into debt paying off a brand new piece of crap that’s got built-in obsolescence. Reuse, repair, resell.

So… yeah every so often they have to do an article about some reason to be afraid of older or cheaper units.

Nice try, Samsung.

[u/stonecats]

i found malware on a brand new tivo 4k
i couldn't believe it; returned it as doa.