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EQUIPThe Verge · 1h ago

One of Google’s Android partners turned 1.3 million set-top boxes into a botnet

Executive Brief

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Google has dismantled a botnet consisting of 1.3 million Android set-top boxes compromised by a manufacturing partner. The tech giant has terminated its relationship with Shenzhen-based Videostrong Technology Co. following the discovery of a secret backdoor.

  • 01Videostrong Technology Co. is banned from manufacturing or selling certified Android devices
  • 02Google identifies and disables a hidden backdoor affecting over 1.3 million devices
  • 03Security breach involved an authorized manufacturing partner operating out of Shenzhen
  • 04Corporate procurement teams should review supply chains for unauthorized hardware modifications

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AI-generated summary · Verify at source

Google says one of its Android manufacturing partners secretly built a backdoor in 1.3 million devices and turned them into a botnet. The company says it has now dismantled the backdoor and "cut ties" with the manufacturer, the Shenzhen, China-based Videostrong Technology Co., which has been banned from building or selling certified Android devices or […]