A recent survey from BeStreamWise has uncovered some shocking figures concerning the dangers of illegal streaming. One statistic from the study surprised us. Nearly two out of five people who used these services have been duped by a scam. One man felt the pain of having his financial information compromised twice before. To add insult to injury, someone attempted to purchase a yacht with his name. This further underscores the dangerous implications of pursuing free access to entertainment in the digital world.
Fraud in this area led to an average financial loss of almost £1,700 among victims. Those findings have spurred an important and ongoing conversation about the very real dangers of illegal streaming. They point to the high risk of financial loss and identity theft that comes with it.
Understanding the Risks of Illegal Streaming
High subscription fees are driving many people into the arms of illegal streaming, especially around peak periods like major sporting events. Like many seemingly innocuous decisions, this seemingly harmless choice has dire repercussions. Rob Shapland, a cybersecurity specialist at the Scottish firm Cyonic Cyber, urges people to take the threat seriously.
“Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but … it’s a false economy that can end up costing people thousands,” – DCI Emma Warbey.
Shapland goes on to say that buying a “modded” USB stick from the internet is basically like letting hackers into your home devices. He warns that simply plugging a “dodgy stick” into a laptop or TV is enough to put users at significant risk.
“You are essentially volunteering to have your laptop hacked in many cases,” – Rob Shapland.
This breach of security can take many forms, like keyloggers that record your keystrokes, including your banking passwords. Shapland warns that once criminals acquire a single password, they may gain access to multiple accounts due to users frequently reusing passwords.
The Impact on the Entertainment Industry
The consequences of pirating content are not just felt by those who illegally stream TV shows and movies. DCI Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, underscores the significance of this issue.
“This is a crime that diverts funds away from the entertainment industries – money that supports thousands of technical and support staff,” – DCI Emma Warbey.
Moreover, as Warbey explains, every time a user participates in illegal streaming, they jeopardize their own financial security. What’s more, they stoke an even wider crime wave that victimizes lawful businesses and the workers who compete in this area. Unsurprisingly, this trend has put the livelihoods of those who make the entertainment industry the cash cow that it is all but out of reach.
Protecting Yourself from Fraud
With all these research implications, the time for action is now. It’s important to safeguard sensitive personal and financial information. BeStreamWise highly recommends you update your passwords on essential sites and applications, especially banking sites and PayPal. If you have been a victim of fraud, this becomes necessary. This step is critical in stopping future unauthorized access.
If you see fraud, fight back! Report fraud and cyber crime through Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime. In doing so, they can play an invaluable role in assisting authorities help track, prevent and combat these seedy crimes more effectively.
Amazon, to their credit, has also stepped in on this very issue, warning consumers away from buying devices associated with piracy.
“Piracy is illegal, and customers should not buy these devices,” – Amazon.