Two out of five illegal streamers have fallen victim to fraud, likely due to using modified Amazon Fire Sticks that expose users to data theft and cybercrime, according to a survey by BeStreamWise, a UK initiative. Victims lost an average of nearly £1,700 each.
DCI Emma Warbey of the police intellectual property crime unit (PIPCU) at City of London police warned: 'Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but … it’s a false economy that can end up costing people thousands.' She added that it diverts funds from entertainment industries and exposes users to data theft and cybercrime.
The modded or 'jailbroken' devices are Amazon Fire Sticks with extra software added, sold for about £20 online. They are advertised on social media and illegal streaming sites with promises of free TV, sports, and films. The Federation Against Property Theft (Fact) has been conducting raids across the UK to stop supply.
Rob Shapland of Cyonic Cyber, an ethical hacker, explained that connecting a 'dodgy stick' can install malware, giving criminals direct access to the user's computer or keyloggers to record passwords. 'You are essentially volunteering to have your laptop hacked in many cases,' he said. The stick may also ask for a small monthly subscription, allowing criminals to use credit card details.
In one case, a man had his bank details stolen twice and someone tried to buy a boat in his name. Amazon stated that people have been convicted for selling modded devices and that it continues to work with authorities. 'Piracy is illegal, and customers should not buy these devices,' the company said.
Users who suspect they have an illegal device should remove it immediately, change passwords on important sites, enable multifactor authentication, undo anti-virus changes, and run a virus scan. Victims in the UK should contact Action Fraud and their bank.
