Devices promising free movies are exploited for criminal activity

Household internet connections are increasingly being secretly utilized for criminal activities and cyberattacks through residential proxy networks. New research by security firm Plume has shed light on this threat, focusing specifically on SuperBox media players that offer pirated content.

These proxy networks funnel millions of home internet connections into a unified network. Operators lease these connections, allowing attackers to route malicious traffic through them. Online services then see only IP addresses with good reputations and non-suspicious geolocations.

More often than not, home users are unaware their connections are being used to facilitate crime. Some users are aware and accept the risk in exchange for free movie and TV show streaming. The research found that malicious apps can be installed by remote attackers even when devices are behind a router.

While Plume's analysis focused on SuperBox, the firm warns that dozens of similar streaming devices pose the same threat. Security experts urge users to carefully consider installing and using such devices to avoid inadvertently enabling illegal activities.