More UK households are falling victim to hackers when streaming premium TV content illegally, with new research revealing that one in five illegal streamers have experienced malware infections in the past 12 months. The findings from BeStreamWise highlight the growing risks of accessing content such as Sky Sports or Hollywood movies without payment.
Financial Losses and Cyber Threats
According to the study, two in five illegal streamers have had their bank account details compromised while accessing pirated content. On average, victims lose £1,680, with some suffering significant financial and personal data breaches. One UK streamer reported losing £80 and facing a series of cybersecurity issues after attempting to stream a newly released film through an illegal website.
“I thought I was paying to watch a new film, but instead I was scammed out of £80,” the streamer said. “The website looked convincing, so I didn't suspect anything was wrong until they kept trying to take more payments from my account. My bank helped stop the transactions, but I still had to cancel my card. I'd also handed over personal information, and afterwards I was hit with endless spam and even had my Facebook account hacked. Looking back, it's simply not worth the risk just to save a bit of money.”
Expert Warnings on Illegal Streaming Sites
James Bores, an independent cyber security expert, warned that illegal streaming platforms lack the security checks of legitimate services. “Illegal streaming sites and apps sit outside the security checks that legitimate platforms go through. This means the risk of running into malware, or being scammed into handing over information or money, is much higher,” he said.
“The fact that one in five illegal streamers have had a malware infection in the past year shows that these aren't rare. With so few people running antivirus software and clear knowledge gaps, infections go unnoticed. Once malware is on a device, it's no longer yours: it's under the control of the criminals behind it. That means everything you use the device for – every password you enter, every message you send and all your private information – is potentially visible to them.”
Key Statistics on Illegal Streaming Risks
- 90% of illegal streaming sites are classified as risky.
- 39% of illegal streamers have suffered financial loss due to piracy.
- £1,680 is the average amount stolen through illegal streaming.
- Criminals behind illegal streaming operations are increasingly sophisticated.
The findings underscore the importance of staying alert and avoiding the temptation to access premium content through unverified sources. As cyber threats evolve, consumers are urged to think twice before handing over data to watch content online.
