residential proxies Archives

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Samsung follows LG in killing Smart TV apps that rent out your internet

Security researchers found that several Samsung Smart TV applications, including Pac-Man, were embedding residential proxy SDKs from data brokers like Bright Data. In response, Samsung has banned the inclusion of residential proxy functionality in new app submissions and is working to remove existing apps with such software. The investigation by Norwegian cybersecurity firm Mnemonic revealed that the Bright Data SDK was integrated into various gaming applications, some promoted by Samsung. While Samsung TVs were not automatically sharing internet connections, the SDK could be activated remotely by developers, requiring user consent. Once consent was granted, the proxy service could operate in the background. Many Samsung TV applications were found to download most of their code from remote servers, complicating verification processes. The issue of residential proxy software is not limited to Samsung, as it has also been identified in various Android apps and devices. Following these findings, LG and Google have also taken measures to address the risks associated with residential proxy networks.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Google is taking the hackers to court over a major Android fraud ring

Google is suing unidentified hackers in China for hijacking over 10 million devices to create the BadBox 2.0 botnet. The botnet has been found on budget Android streamers, tablets, and projectors, either preloaded with malware or infected during setup through dubious apps. Google’s Play Protect now automatically blocks anything linked to BadBox 2.0. The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court following investigations by Human Security and Trend Micro. Compromised devices include TV streamers, projectors, car infotainment systems, and digital photo frames, many of which originated from China. Hackers gain access to home networks by preloading malware or infiltrating devices during setup. The BadBox malware operates in the background, generating fraudulent ad clicks. Google is concerned about the financial burden of fake ad traffic and the impact on user trust and its reputation.

AppWizard

April 2, 2024

Malicious Android apps facilitate device transformation into proxies

Nearly 30 VPN applications on Android devices were found to have a hidden threat, turning devices into residential proxies without users' knowledge. This allowed cybercriminals to conceal unauthorized activities under the guise of legitimate IP addresses.