don’t buy just any box, some are full of malware

In recent months, concerns have been raised about the prevalence of malware-infected “Android TV” boxes being sold online. “Android TV” is not synonymous with Google’s “Android TV OS”, which leads to confusion when buying such a device.

When buying appliances online, it can be tempting toopt for the cheaper option that promises the same features as the more expensive models. However, the cheaper options are sometimes riddled with malware, as has been reported recently. In response to these issues, Google said it is taking steps to help users keep their Android TV devices secure and protect them from potentially dangerous practices by certain companies.

In a recent article, Google officially acknowledges that there are box models sold today that are called “Android TV” but which actually use the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Google notes that these devices can technically include Google apps and even the Play Store without actually being licensed by Google.

Google tells you how to choose your Android TV box

To help customers make safe purchases, Google recommends visiting the official Android TV website, where a product list of Android TV and Google TV authorized partners is available. In addition, Google highlights Play Protect, a certification in the Play Store that checks if a device is officially authorized by Google. The company has provided detailed steps on how to verify certification on a support page.

” We recently received questions regarding TV boxes built with the Android Open Source Project and marketed as Android TV OS devices. Some of them may also come with Google applications and the Play Store that are not licensed by Google, which means that these devices are not Play Protect certified. To help you confirm if a device is built with Android TV OS and Play Protect certified, our Android TV website provides the most up-to-date list of partners. “said Google.

If you don’t know which Android TV box to buy, we also advise you to consult our comparison of the best devices in 2023.