Security researchers say some low-cost Android TV streaming boxes may secretly perform advertising fraud and operate as residential proxies while connected to a household’s Wi-Fi. This could allow outsiders to use a customer’s internet connection and generate illicit advertising revenue, creating privacy, security and possible network-performance concerns for owners.

Research from Bitsight found that certain devices may impersonate smartphones, visit AI-generated websites and click adverts automatically. The activity appears to be part of an organised, technically sophisticated operation, meaning the apparent bargain price of an unbranded streaming box may conceal wider costs and risks.