Hackers are seen targeting users of Fire Sticks with Bitcoin mining malware called ADB.miner. And as per a source from AFTVnews, the malware is seen hitting Amazon’s Fire TV users and that of Fire Stick.
Cybersecurity Insiders has learned that the malware called ADB.miner attaches itself to devices that run the Android operating system as an app called ‘test’- a package name ‘com.google.time.timer’.
And as soon as the package gets installed, it starts mining bitcoins without the knowledge of the user.
However, security experts from Amazon say that the chances of their fire sticks getting infected by the malware are almost zero as the installation requires the developer acceptance feature to be turned on.
But in cases where users turn the feature on to side-load apps, the malware can spell trouble to them.
Note- Sideloading of apps involves installing third-party apps onto Android devices using Android Package Kit (APK). Usually, users of Firesticks indulge in these practices so that they can streamline movies for free without subscribing to the Prime Video.
But doing so can put you into trouble says the source from AFTVnews.
Once the ADB.miner malware infects devices, a white page pops up on the screen which could interrupt the viewing of content on TV. And as the malware attempts to mine cryptocurrency it can also slow down the device.
The only way to test whether your streaming device is infected is to download an app called Total Commander, which can scan to detect all the apps installed on the device. Even a factory reset can be done. But the user needs to re-download the apps afterward.
Also, make sure that the ADB debugging is always ‘off’ which can make 3rd party downloads impossible.
Perhaps all these precautionary measures are sounding like ‘warning signals for not downloading 3rd party apps on Fire Sticks’- isn’t it?
