Potentially millions of Android TVs and phones come with malware preinstalled

[mkolassa]

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/05/potentially-millions-of-android-tvs-and-phones-come-with-malware-preinstalled/

[f1refly]

Given that most android devices transfer ungodly amounts of data to Google, nobody should be surprised by that headline.

[hammyhavoc → f1refly]

Google isn't using the devices as a botnet though.

[deafpolygon]

I mean, Android is practically malware on its own.

[DANmode → deafpolygon]

Google Android, or AOSP?

[deafpolygon → DANmode]

Is that a real question?

[hammyhavoc → deafpolygon]

Don't deflect. Answer the question then explain why it is "malware".

Is it thus any more "malware" than HN is? HN doesn't even let you delete your account. Intent, however, is everything.

[deafpolygon → hammyhavoc]

"Practically".

Is it actually malware? It depends on your perspective, I suppose. Most flavors (for lack of a better word) of Android serve as a vehicle to collect data on its users. I consider this a form of malware (since the definition is "software that is designed to disrupt, damage, or _gain unauthorized access_ to a computer system").

While AOSP is less so, since it is open source after all, it is still often used to create versions of Android that spy on its users.

But I digress.

In practice, most Android devices are woefully outdated and cannot be upgraded to a current version - they are susceptible to being compromised, or may already be compromised.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/05/poten...

https://www.techradar.com/news/this-dangerous-new-malware-al...

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/this-new-android-malware-is-s...

Much of it is in their own App Store, or arriving to users pre-installed.