Audio Video News

You’re kicking back with your smart TV. Suddenly the screen locks up. Even more surreal, your TV claims to represent a law enforcement agency and accuses you of crimes you haven’t committed. Because, really, don’t we all feel guilty about something?

The only way to retake control of the TV is to send $200 in iTunes gift cards.

This is the FLocker (Frantic Locker) Android virus in action. It can infect multiple devices on the platform and can spread by SMS or a malicious app.

If you’re wondering where those iTunes gift cards are going, here’s a clue: the virus automatically checks whether your smart TV is located in Russia or one of the former Soviet satellite states; if so, it quietly goes away.

Trend Micro has identified 7,000 variations of the virus since 2015.