Nov 25, 2025 20:00:00

Are Android TV devices that claim to offer unlimited access to various streaming services just by purchasing the device safe?

The number of Android TV-enabled devices that connect to TVs and displays and offer unlimited access to various streaming services is on the rise. Some Android TV-enabled devices advertise themselves as offering unlimited access to various streaming services just by purchasing the device. However, security expert Brian Krebs warns of security risks.

Is Your Android TV Streaming Box Part of a Botnet? – Krebs on Security

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/11/is-your-android-tv-streaming-box-part-of-a-botnet/

The product Krebs is taking issue with is called ' Superbox .' The official Superbox page boasts 7-day time-shift playback and voice control, and at first glance it appears to be a regular Android TV device.

However, Superbox has a suspicious feature: 'If you purchase the console, you get unlimited access to various streaming services.'

The official blog compares Superbox with existing services such as cable TV, and claims that 'Superbox is an alternative to cable TV, with its confusing contracts, and offers various services without a monthly fee, providing true economic freedom for low-income households.'

The FAQ page also states, 'Superbox is completely legal and does not violate U.S. copyright law. As long as you are not downloading, uploading, or broadcasting content to a group, you will not face any legal issues.'

According to Krebs, Superbox isn't running a large-scale advertising campaign, but rather is conducting small-scale marketing using TikTok influencers, etc. Searching for Superbox on Google Shopping reveals that it's available at major online stores like Walmart and Best Buy.

Various models are also available on Amazon.com.

As mentioned above, Superbox claims that you can access various streaming services simply by purchasing the device, but Krebs warns of the risks of Superbox based on information from Ashley, a researcher at the security company Censys.

Ashley's analysis of the Superbox hardware revealed that it had access to Tencent QQ, a messaging service operated by Tencent, a major Chinese technology company. He also found that the Superbox contained network analysis tools such as

tcpdump and Netcat , and was capable of performing attacks such as ARP spoofing .

Superbox also connected to the bandwidth-sharing service Grass , which allows users to earn rewards by sharing their unused internet bandwidth. It's used for things like market research and AI scraping.

Based on the above analysis, Krebs points out that 'Superbox users may be exploiting their internet connection for ad fraud and account takeover attacks,' and warns against using Superbox. Krebs also points out that Superbox's business model is a new example of the previously seen example that 'if you can get something for free, you yourself become a product.' In other words, Superbox users are paying for it and yet they themselves become a product.