AllYouCanTech

1.3 Million Android TV Boxes Compromised by Backdoor Malware; Researchers Indicate the Cause of Breach is Unclear

### Android.Vo1d Malware: A New Menace to Streaming Devices

In a worrisome update, cybersecurity experts have detected a significant malware infestation impacting close to 1.3 million streaming devices utilizing an open-source variant of Android in nearly 200 nations. The malware, dubbed **Android.Vo1d**, has compromised these devices, granting cybercriminals the ability to install further malicious software at their discretion. The infection has mainly focused on Android-operated TV boxes using outdated or unofficial firmware, raising concerns about the safety of lesser-known streaming devices.

#### What is Android.Vo1d?

Android.Vo1d is an advanced malware that has breached the system storage of streaming devices powered by Android, especially those utilizing versions of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). In contrast to the proprietary Android TV OS, which is limited to authorized producers, AOSP is open-source and can be altered by any hardware manufacturer. This openness has rendered AOSP-based devices more susceptible to malware attacks, as they frequently run on obsolete firmware or lack the stringent security measures that Google applies to certified Android TV devices.

The malware functions by injecting malicious modules into the system storage of the compromised devices, where it can be remotely updated via command-and-control (C&C) servers overseen by the attackers. Once operational, Android.Vo1d is capable of downloading and executing supplementary malware, integrating infected devices into a larger botnet or facilitating other malicious endeavors.

#### How Does Android.Vo1d Infect Devices?

Despite thorough investigation, cybersecurity firm **Doctor Web** has not yet pinpointed the precise entry point that resulted in the infections. Nevertheless, they have suggested several plausible avenues:

1. **Exploitation of System Flaws**: One hypothesis is that the malware takes advantage of weaknesses in the operating system to obtain root access, enabling it to install itself in critical system locations.

2. **Unofficial Firmware**: An alternative theory posits that the malware was preinstalled on devices operating with unofficial or modified firmware. Numerous budget device manufacturers employ outdated Android versions and market them as current models, making them more vulnerable to recognized exploits.

3. **Supply Chain Breach**: It’s possible that the devices were compromised during the manufacturing phase, meaning they were already infected at the time of purchase by consumers.

#### Affected Devices and Firmware Versions

Doctor Web has recognized various models of TV boxes that have fallen victim to Android.Vo1d. These encompass:

| TV Box Model | Declared Firmware Version |
|——————–|———————————–|
| R4 | Android 7.1.2; R4 Build/NHG47K |
| TV BOX | Android 12.1; TV BOX Build/NHG47K |
| KJ-SMART4KVIP | Android 10.1; KJ-SMART4KVIP Build/NHG47K |

These devices operate on outdated Android versions, which are more prone to exploits. For instance, Android 7.1 became available in 2016, Android 10.1 in 2019, and Android 12.1 in 2022. Many of these units are advertised as newer editions but are, in reality, functioning on older, less secure iterations of the operating system.

#### How Android.Vo1d Functions

After Android.Vo1d breaches a device, it alters several essential system files to guarantee it can endure reboots and persist in its malicious actions. Some of the altered files include:

– **install-recovery.sh**: A script executed when the operating system initializes. The malware incorporates itself into this script to ensure it launches automatically.
– **daemonsu**: A file that grants root permissions to the malware, empowering it to modify the system.
– **debuggerd**: A system daemon generally used for error reporting. The malware replaces this file with a script that activates its malicious modules.

The primary functions of the malware are concealed in two components: **vo1d** and **wd**. These components collaboratively enable the malware to maintain its presence on the device while allowing it to download and execute further malicious programs from the C&C server. The malware can also surveil specific directories for APK files and install them automatically, broadening its capabilities.

#### Geographic Distribution of Infections

The infections have been spotted in a diverse array of countries, with the highest concentrations found in:

– Brazil
– Morocco
– Pakistan
– Saudi Arabia
– Russia
– Argentina
– Ecuador
– Tunisia
– Malaysia
– Algeria
– Indonesia

This worldwide distribution suggests that the malware does not focus on specific areas but is instead propagating indiscriminately on a global scale.

!

Cartoon Illustration of Soap with Clenched Buttocks Shows Up in My Digital Ads

**The Surge of Unrelated and Off-Putting Online Advertisements: An Examination of “Buttvertising”**

In the era of digital technology, online advertising has emerged as an ever-present force, permeating every nook of the internet. From social networking sites to news portals, advertisements abound, competing for our focus. However, while the idea of “targeted advertising” has been praised as a means of presenting relevant content to users, the reality often disappoints. Rather than receiving personalized, significant ads, many users find themselves inundated with irrelevant, peculiar, and occasionally inappropriate content. A notable instance of this trend is the emergence of what can only be termed “buttvertising”—ads that prominently showcase, well, behinds.

### The Punchline: A Personal Anecdote

In a recent piece, a writer amusingly shared their encounter with an advertisement that popped up in the midst of a New York Times article. The particular ad featured an illustrated backside with a bar of soap lodged between its cheeks. This surprising and unsettling image led the writer to contemplate the situation of online advertising, especially in “highbrow” media outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic.

This isn’t the first time such advertisements have graced these esteemed publications. In 2022, the same writer captured a snapshot of an ad promoting wipes with the slogan: “When your butt doesn’t smell like butt.” Yet another ad depicted a sorrowful-looking dog alongside a note about addressing “anal gland issues.” While these ads may seem humorous in retrospect, they pose significant questions regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of online advertising.

### The Flaw in “Targeted” Advertising

Online advertisements are frequently marketed as “targeted,” suggesting they should be customized to the user’s preferences and demographic profile. Ideally, this should yield ads that are pertinent and beneficial. However, as illustrated by the writer’s situation, this is not always true. Despite the extensive data gathered by marketers, the advertisements delivered to users can be wildly inappropriate.

For example, the writer, who is dog-free, received an ad addressing canine anal glands. Similarly, a bidet ad claimed it would make their “butt crack smile,” even though the writer had no discernible interest in such items. These instances underscore a critical defect in the existing targeted advertising framework: while advertisers possess a wealth of data, they frequently misinterpret it in ways that fail to produce meaningful or relevant advertisements.

### The Rise of Automated Ads

One factor contributing to the increase in irrelevant ads is the growth of programmatic advertising. Programmatic ads are traded and sold via automated systems, often through real-time auctions. This enables advertisers to reach broad audiences quickly and effectively but takes away publishers’ control over the advertisements displayed on their sites.

Programmatic ads are commonly cheaper and less refined than those negotiated directly between advertisers and publishers. Consequently, they may appear out of sync or even offensive, particularly on premium media platforms. The “buttvertising” trend exemplifies this, as these ads frequently include crude or subpar visuals that clash with the otherwise sophisticated nature of the publication’s content.

### The Consequences for Brand Image

The existence of low-quality or unsuitable ads can adversely affect a publisher’s reputation. Readers turn to platforms like The New York Times or The Atlantic for insightful, well-crafted journalism, not for advertisements featuring cartoonish behinds or canine anal glands. When these ads emerge, they can detract from the overall user experience and lessen the perceived worth of the publication.

This dilemma is not confined to news organizations. Even social networks such as Facebook have faced criticisms for delivering irrelevant or low-grade ads. A 2021 analysis in the *Financial Times* remarked that despite Facebook’s extensive data collection capabilities, the ads it provides often fall short of accuracy or proper targeting. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of online advertising and whether the current system honestly caters to the needs of both advertisers and consumers.

### The Efficacy of Online Advertisements

The effectiveness of online ads has long been a topic of contention. While digital marketing is often perceived as highly efficient, research has indicated that this may not hold true. For instance, a comprehensive study of advertisements on eBay revealed that the efficiency of brand search ads was exaggerated by as much as 4,100%. Likewise, an analysis of Facebook ads showed that over half the time, ads reached an audience other than the advertiser’s intended recipients.

These insights suggest that the current online advertising apparatus is far from flawless. Although advertisers may successfully connect with extensive audiences, they do not consistently reach the right audiences. This lack of precision not only squanders advertising budgets but also fosters the spread of irrelevant and off-putting ads.

### The Prospects of Online Advertising

As the realm of digital advertising continues to transform, publishers and advertisers must discover methods

Ancient Geological Findings Offer Proof of “Snowball Earth” Event

### The Snowball Earth: A Deep Chill That Molded Life on Our Planet

Earth has experienced numerous dramatic geological and climate phases, but few are as remarkable as the era when the planet was enveloped in a deep chill, referred to as “Snowball Earth.” This phenomenon, occurring hundreds of millions of years ago, transformed the planet from a warm, tropical habitat into a frozen desert. Recent geological discoveries in Scotland have illuminated when and how this global chill commenced, offering essential insights into one of the most extreme climate occurrences in Earth’s history.

#### A Tropical Earth for Billions of Years

For almost 2 billion years, Earth basked in a relatively stable tropical climate. During this span, simple life forms such as algae and single-celled organisms flourished in the planet’s warm oceans. This period of stability, known as the Tonian period, began about 1 billion years ago. However, this tropical haven was not to endure. Approximately 717 million years ago, Earth entered a significant cooling phase that would lead to the first of two “Snowball Earth” phenomena.

#### The Discovery in Scotland: Proof of a Global Chill

Until recently, researchers were unsure about the exact timing of Earth’s shift from a tropical climate to a frozen one. Nevertheless, scholars from University College London have found vital evidence in a rock outcrop in Scotland, termed the Port Askaig Formation. Located in the Garvellach Islands, this formation harbors a distinctive geological record that illustrates the transition from a warm Earth to a cold one.

The Port Askaig Formation provides the initial definitive evidence of when Earth began to freeze over, marking the initiation of the Sturtian glaciation. This glaciation was the first of two significant “Snowball Earth” events, during which much of the planet’s surface became enveloped in ice. The subsequent event, known as the Marinoan glaciation, followed closely on the heels of the Sturtian and continued for millions of years.

#### The Snowball Effect: How Earth Became Icy

What triggered Earth to enter such a dramatic deep freeze? Experts theorize that a sudden reduction in solar radiation may have initiated the initial cooling. This decrease in sunlight likely resulted in an extended winter, sparking a feedback cycle referred to as the “snowball effect.” As the planet cooled, additional ice formed, and the greater ice coverage reflected more sunlight back into space. This feedback loop caused the Earth to cool even more, facilitating further ice formation and perpetuating the cycle.

To ascertain when this global freeze commenced, the research team examined 11 sandstone samples from the Garvellach Islands. These samples contained zircons, ancient minerals that are resistant to chemical degradation and can date geological formations accurately. Zircons are especially useful for dating because they contain uranium, which decays into lead over time. By assessing the uranium-to-lead ratio in the zircons, the researchers could establish the rocks’ age and confirm the timeline of the Sturtian glaciation.

#### The Cryogenian Period: Icy Earth for Millions of Years

The Sturtian glaciation, which initiated around 717 million years ago, persisted for around 58 million years. Following it was the Marinoan glaciation, lasting an additional 16 million years. Together, these two glaciations constitute the Cryogenian period, one of the coldest and most extreme intervals in Earth’s history.

The Port Askaig Formation holds significant importance as it contains one of the most comprehensive records of the Cryogenian glaciation. While glaciers in various regions eroded much of the geological evidence from this epoch, the rocks within the Port Askaig Formation remained intact, providing a rare insight into this frozen time.

#### The Thaw and the Rise of Complex Life

As Earth began to warm around 635 million years ago, the ice sheets gradually retreated, ushering in a new chapter in the planet’s history. The melting ice coincided with the rise of complex multicellular life during the Ediacaran period. Scientists speculate that several factors contributed to this surge of life, including increasing seawater temperatures, enhanced sunlight, and a surge in nutrient availability.

However, the life forms that endured the Cryogenian period encountered a novel challenge: adapting to a rapidly altering environment. After millions of years in a frozen world, these organisms had to swiftly acclimatize to warmer conditions or face extinction. Those that managed to adapt became the ancestors of all animals that have ever existed, including humans.

#### Conclusion: A Frozen Heritage

The revelation of the Port Askaig Formation in Scotland has provided critical insights into one of the most extreme climate events in Earth’s chronology. The evidence encased in these rocks narrates the tale of a planet transitioning from a tropical haven to a frozen desert and then back again. This