Google dismantles botnet secretly running on 1.3 million Android TV boxes

Google dismantled a botnet called x.cpe that infected over 1.3 million Android TV devices, mostly from the MECOOL brand, by using a backdoor to install malware after devices were set up and online. The malware, which was sold to third parties, enabled residential proxies, ad fraud, and other malicious activities. Google worked with other organizations to disrupt the network and take down the domains and servers used by the botnet's operator, Videostrong Technology, a Shenzhen-based company.