OEM‑embedded backdoors in TV boxes

Hardware manufacturers can intentionally ship consumer devices with factory firmware backdoors that create massive proxy networks and are monetized through criminal affiliate ecosystems. The Videostrong disruption shows firmware agents pulling updates from public repositories and MQTT C2 infrastructure can scale to millions of compromised endpoints before detection. — This reframes IoT security from incidental botnets to a supply‑chain accountability problem: regulators, platforms, and purchasers must treat preinstalled firmware as a vector for organized, profit‑driven crime.