Is Your Generic Android TV Box Compromised?

VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Techcrunch Article
02:12 - Google Blog Response
03:01 - How to Check
03:31 - PlayProtect Certification
05:33 - Potential Consequences
06:31 - Name Brand Options
07:25 - Conclusion

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[dorkultra]

This is why I have a dedicated google account for my streaming devices, if it gets compromised there's nothing for them to really take

[Sloppyjoe]

this is what i was referring to in your ONN google tv review, why its nice they made that cheap option thats officially licensed

[CommodoreFan]

Stuff like this is why the only low cost Android TV boxes I personally tell people to get are the ONN boxes if they don't want to go with an official Chromecast.

[tomscurlock]

Lon, you did a great job. There are more ways to know if the device is safe. The security level is one way of knowing. It a device is Wide Vine Level 1 certified, it is safe. You nailed it with the certified Google ODM's. Linus did do a video on this topic. I had a few of the devices in question. They are one of the reasons I decided to build my own device.

[burnzy]

My 2017 nvidia shield is still going strong and getting updates.

[_GarethRossUK]

Trouble is the Xiaomi Mi Box Gen 2 TV box still has SPDIF 3.5mm jack but no longer puts out a DTS or Dolby Digital sigbal on that port. My gen 1 still does others have started to report this as well. Android TV was based on android tv 9 now it's based on Google TV 11 but since android version 10 optical out isn't so well supported. I've since purchased a Windows 11 mini pc and a usb soundcard instead. I think it was GMKtec you've covered them before.

[BaronOfHell]

So to verify you are safe you have to hook the box into the internet. I guess that is okay if it doesn't do anything before you do the check but what do you do if it infects your network before you do the check?

[matthewjbauer]

I like my Onn Google TV 4k. I use it in my bedroom. I wish I could get it to do 4k HDR on my Vizio 4k HDR TV in the living room. That said, I did some digging and found that Walmart sources its Onn branded electronics from Durabrand, who currently has a contract with Funai to rebrand their products for sale at Walmart. Its safe to assume Funai made the Onn Google TV devices. Funai is on the Google TV Partner list.

[michaelrousseau]

the Sheild and Apple TV 4K are my goto streaming devices

[UlrichRyddle]

Great video and info. One reason I think a lot of these no-name Android boxes are so popular is because many of them promise unlimited free access to paid content. From what I've seen of reviews of these devices, they all seem to be accessing servers hosting pirated versions of the content (whether it's from Netflix or Disney+ or even movies that just released in theaters). "Free" and "available instantly" are powerful advertising words for those who don't know or don't care to ensure that they are using devices that are certified secure. Over the last several years, I've had to dissuade family members from buying and using no-name Android boxes that promise free access to paid content and are clearly security nightmares. The conversation usually goes something like, "Streaming services are too expensive. I just want to watch what I like, and this box says I can do it for free." I counter with, "That content isn't free, and the price you are paying to access it that way is the security of your data." Eventually I convince them, but then someone they know down the street gets a Nightmare Box, and I have to explain all over again.

[EugeneM-Lawrence]

BTW... Most of the television, TV Box and Dongles companies with android tv/Google TV do not manufacture the devices in the case of Walmart, the manufacture of the 2021 model was manufactured by ASKEY and this year's 2023 SMDC.

[EugeneM-Lawrence]

I remember when the OS back in 2010 was called Google TV (Discontinued SDK and was removed in June 2014) after rebirth as android tv at June 25, 2014
now the new interface (skin) is also called Google TV since 2020 when they released de Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K version)

the devices (TV Box and Dongle) that not certified the OS name is aosp (android open source project)
Some of them a pretty good having hardware way better than some that bring android tv

PS This Operation System keep evolving and by far is one of must use in the word.

[RBzee]

Great info as usual. Longtime subscriber. Have you ever looked at travel routers? There are a few videos on YT already, but would love your take.

[artdoyle]

The ONN TV android box is certified per play store.

[GadgetAddict]

I use Google TV (Chromecast) and I'm still amazed by how "dumb" the voice feature is.

Just like Google voice assistant in general.

Everything has to be in just the right way, before it can work out what to do.

With so many people talking to Google voice assistant every day, you'd think it would at least get good at the media stuff 🤷‍♂️

[KabukeeJo]

What is stopping these pirates from putting in a fake "Google Play Protect Certified" screen to fool people?

[warwagon]

The one thing these "Cheap Legit" Android TV boxes are missing is a USB port. That is a deal killer for some people. It's sad, because you have to spend a lot more money to get the USB port as even the Nvidia shield mini doesn't have it.

[coreybabcock]

Only get Google certified or onn ones not that t95 thing it's junk I would never use anything but genuine and certified boxes

[markverhoeven]

Lion site? Who can finally clear this up to me, , the name he calls out when closing

[MrMartellSincere]

Thankful fot brand name android boxes like Nvidia Shield