Android device makers

An Italian tech story reports on an 'SMS of Death' — a text message that reportedly freezes Android devices and can even disrupt calls to Italy's 112 emergency number. Commentators are warning users about the message and waiting for a fix from Google and phone makers.

Google has taken down a botnet made up of more than one million infected Android devices and blames the manufacturer of Android set-top boxes for the outbreak. According to the report, the devices were shipped with malware preinstalled, meaning the infection came from the device maker itself rather than from malicious apps installed later. The case highlights supply-chain security risks in cheap Android-based TV hardware.

Google says it disrupted a botnet of more than 1.3 million Android devices, mostly TV boxes, used for ad fraud and routing other people's internet traffic. The company claims the manufacturer, Videostrong, deliberately built a backdoor into the devices and sold access to criminals. Security commentators are highlighting the unusually serious allegation that a device maker itself enabled the scheme.

Google says it has disrupted a botnet known as XCPE that infected roughly a million Android devices, many of them cheap TV streaming boxes sold with malware pre-installed or added after sale. The company banned the manufacturer tied to the scheme from its services and Play Store. Security observers are highlighting the risks of low-cost Android hardware shipping with hidden malicious code.

A Chinese Android device manufacturer is reported to have preinstalled backdoors intended for criminal use on phones before shipping. Google has reportedly suspended business dealings with the company over the finding. The story is drawing attention as concerns grow about supply-chain security in Android hardware and the risks of hidden software placed on devices before they reach consumers.

Google has disrupted XCPE, an Android botnet reportedly infecting more than 1.3 million devices with a firmware-level backdoor that survives a factory reset. The botnet is allegedly built and operated by Chinese device maker Videostrong. Security researchers describe the persistence of the implant as particularly alarming, since the malware is embedded deep enough in device firmware that standard recovery steps cannot remove it.

Google has taken down a botnet embedded in more than 1.3 million set-top boxes sold by Videostrong, a Chinese company that held an Android licence. The devices were turned into an infected network without users' knowledge, and Google's action reportedly includes revoking the partner's access. Italian tech outlets are covering the story, sparking discussion about how much control Google has over licensed Android hardware makers.

Google says it has disrupted an Android botnet made up of roughly 1.3 million infected devices, many of them TV boxes. According to the company, the manufacturer of the TV boxes sold access to the compromised devices to cybercriminals, who used them for malicious activity. The case highlights security risks in cheap Android-based streaming hardware and raises questions about supply-chain abuse in consumer devices.

Google reports that Videostrong, a maker of Android TV boxes, intentionally built and operated a botnet known as XCPE, infecting more than 1.3 million devices with a firmware backdoor. The malware persists at system level, meaning a factory reset does not remove it, and Google Play Protect has been updated in response. Security commentators are urging owners of affected Android TV boxes to check for signs of compromise.