Google cuts ties with an Android partner that turned 1.3 million devices into a botnet

Google says Videostrong Technology, a manufacturer based in Shenzhen, China, secretly built a backdoor into the devices, mostly Android TV set-top boxes.

What the botnet did

• Ad fraud
• Data exfiltration
• Routing unauthorized network traffic
• Loading more malware

The devices were used without their owners' knowledge for ad fraud, data theft and routing unauthorized network traffic, Google says.

More devices cut off

10 million devices

Google says taking down the command servers of Videostrong's criminal affiliates will cut access to at least 10 million more compromised devices.

What changes

Videostrong is now banned from building or selling certified Android devices, and Google says it changed its review process for manufacturers.