Mirai Botnet Variant ‘Pandora’ Hijacks Android TVs

Pandora, a variant of the Mirai botnet, has been identified targeting budget-friendly Android-based television sets and TV boxes. It utilizes these devices as part of a botnet to execute distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Mirai is a type of harmful software that goes after everyday devices like smart cameras and home routers. It takes control of them and makes them part of a group of bots that can be controlled remotely. 

Cybercriminals use these groups, known as Mirai botnets, to launch big attacks on computer systems, called DDoS attacks.
What sets Mirai apart is that it mainly affects connected smart home gadgets, like routers, thermostats, baby monitors, and even fridges. It does this by targeting the common Linux operating system that many of these Internet of Things (IoT) devices run on. Mirai exploits weaknesses in these smart devices and links them together into a network of compromised devices, which is called a botnet. 

According to the Doctor Web, compromises are prone to happen either through malicious firmware updates or when users install applications for viewing pirated video content.
In the realm of alternative distribution methods, there is suspicion that users are being deceived into installing applications meant for streaming pirated movies and TV shows. 

These deceptive websites predominantly target Spanish-speaking users.
The rost

[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.