Securing Android in Pay-TV operations

CONAX

Android is a highly desirable operating system for hybrid Set-Top-Boxes due to its popularity among consumers. Providing an Android-based hybrid STB is, however, quite a challenge. The requirements set by Google for licensing Android for use with Google Play and GMS, as well as using the logo, imply the inclusion of a number of features that increase STBs’ exposure to attacks. This paper discusses the threats to security in Android-based STBs posed by the combined broadcast-OTT environment and by Google’s requirements, and how these security issues can be handled.