The risks of buying IPTV Android TV boxes.

It's extremely easy to find Android TV boxes on the internet, do a simple google search and you can find hundreds of versions for sale Amazon or similar marketplaces. These inexpensive boxes claim high-quality output, strong specs, and the promise of being able to access "free" TV that probably isn't legal. Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The biggest problem that these boxes have in common is security. Recently, I watched a video published by Linus Tech Tips where they purchased multiple android TV boxes from Amazon and found that all of them contained the same security risks. Everyone had the same framework built into the software that could potentially be used to infect your home network with malware. This malware can not only damage other devices on your network, but also could allow the theft of passwords, banking information and other critical info.

Even "clean" boxes present a huge risk, it is unlikely that their software will ever be updated, allowing bad actors to take advantage of a hole in security that was found and later patched by the companies selling legitimate Android TV equipment.

Another issue discovered is that there is no guarantee that the device you're purchasing is telling the truth when it comes to its specifications. Multiple boxes were tested and found to have less RAM than advertised and couldn't output in the resolution that they claimed was possible.

When you are in the market for a new Android TV box, it helps to buy from trusted sources and brands that you're familiar with. A legitimate Android TV box will always have The Play Store installed alongside other apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Google Assistant. Another easy way to tell if your box is legitimate is how similar the layout will be. Competing brands will have subtle differences, but generally all follow the same blueprint when it comes to the layout of the homescreen.

As always if you need help with anything streaming or smart home related you can contact us at 309-778-8611 or by emailing us at OneSource@midcentury.com

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