A dangerous malware campaign known as BadBox 2.0 has infected more than 10 million Android-powered devices, according to a recent alert from the FBI and major cybersecurity researchers. Users are being advised to immediately disconnect any suspicious smart devices connected to their home networks.
This large-scale cyberattack targets a range of low-cost electronics, such as smart TVs, tablets, digital picture frames, car infotainment systems, and streaming boxes, many of which are manufactured by lesser-known brands and sold at discounted prices. Authorities warn that these products may already be infected before leaving the factory.
How Are Devices Getting Infected?
Investigators say that the malware is often pre-installed into the system’s firmware, meaning it’s embedded into the device itself. In some cases, users unknowingly allow the malware in when accepting software updates or installing apps from unofficial sources.
Once active, the malware can silently take over the infected device, turning it into part of a global botnet. These infected devices are then used by cybercriminals for illegal activities like online ad fraud, credential theft, and hiding internet traffic through proxy networks.
The LAT61 Threat Intelligence Team at Point Wild helped trace how the malware operates. They discovered that the malware secretly converts devices into residential proxy nodes, making it hard to detect while still carrying out
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