Pirating was on the decline, well…at least in Europe. According to a 2019 European Union Intellectual Property Office study, only 49 percent of those polled between the ages of 15 and 24 admitted to stealing stuff from sites such as The Pirate Bay – a rather large decrease from 2016 when 60 percent of young people the same age confessed to doing so. As you might expect, the poorer the country, the higher the piracy. In Germany and the UK – the first and second richest EU countries – numbers in 2019 hovered around 14 percent for the aforementioned age demographic. In Lithuania, which is among the 10 poorest nations in the European Union, youth piracy figures were about 45 percent.
Piracy and Streaming Malware Stats and Acts
The spikes in the numbers of malware-infected machines, stolen passwords, and the theft of other sensitive personal information and data on computers have been described by some news outlets as “unprecedented.” What’s more, cybercriminals are now also using legitimate-looking sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video to spam, scam, or scan you online. Take : this open-source media player can be installed on all sorts of devices including Apple TV, and Amazon’s Firestick. Kodi, by itself, is not illegal. However, some bad actors leverage the platform for evil, such as with “add ons” or “plugins.” They might promise “premium” content with a quick download of this or that, but what they really want is to install a Trojan viral horse into your laptop and network.
In recent years, the United States Congress has tried to go after radio pirates, with the House passing legislation to stop illegal broadcasting called “The PIRATE Act (Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement).” The bill is still stuck in the US Senate, but no points for guessing what many radio pirates did when they started to feel the heat: they switched to streaming platforms. Like any new tech, streaming has solved some issues, while creating others.
Beware of Malware From Illegal Streaming Sites!
As the great plague of 2020 arrived and kept much of the world indoors and bored…cue the illegal tv streaming sites. 123 Movies or Go Movies are just two examples of the numerous TV or movie illegal streaming variants that have cropped up. No sign-up, no login – just find the movie or show you want and stream it: illegally – an even simpler option than a bit torrent download. But nothing comes for free, and in the case of “free” streaming sites, you often pay by allowing malware or malicious software onto your computer.
Stats from industry analyst Muso show that – as Covid hit hardest – visits to TV piracy sites skyrocketed, with March 2020 numbers showing over 600 million TV piracy site views, beating visits to film piracy sites hands down, where 137 million visits were recorded. It should be common sense, but some may not be aware that by either users browsing or visiting an illegal streaming site – and of course by downloading illegal files – you’re opening your digital presence up to a boatload of security issues.
Promises of Premium Content May Deliver Trojans and Other Viruses
The spikes in the numbers of malware-infected machines, stolen passwords, and the theft of other sensitive info and private information such as bank account or credit card information on computers have been described by some news outlets as “unprecedented.” What’s more, cybercriminals are now also using legitimate-looking sites to spam, scam, or scan you online.
Take Kodi as an example: this open-source media player can be installed on all sorts of devices including Apple TV, and Amazon’s Firestick. Kodi, by itself, is not illegal. However, some bad actors leverage the platform for evil, such as with “add ons” or “plugins.” They might promise “premium” quality content with a quick download of this or that, but what they really want is to install a Trojan viral horse into your laptop and wireless network.
What Is the Best Way to Stay Safe While Streaming?
Having a legal subscription to a legitimate site is obviously the best way to stay safe while streaming. But boosting your online defenses, in general, is a good idea as well. It’s shocking how many intrusive ads – many of which appear on “real” websites – are actually secret malware.
One way of stopping malware of all sorts is by simply blocking it, and you can try using one of the newly popular blocking apps to do so. Blocking apps are more commonly used by people trying to concentrate. The app blocks certain internet content – which you first specify after you install it – during certain times. These apps help people avoid the temptation of checking out social media or doing online shopping when they should be studying or working.
But a blocking app can also block malware ads and proactively warn you that a site is not what it claims to be. Consider installing a blocking app into your browser like Firefox or Google Chrome: some highly-rated ones are free, they sync across all your devices, and add that extra layer of safety to your online defenses.
So What to Look for When Streaming? - Reasonably-Priced Subscription Fees That Give You Access to Streaming Content on-Demand
You don’t need us to give you a lecture on the morality of illegal streaming or IP piracy in general. Many people reportedly don’t really consider piracy a “crime.” And – to be fair – we have to give Napster and other bit torrent sites their due. If the pirates hadn’t made the big players walk the plank, major content providers might never have leaped into the future we enjoy today: reasonably-priced subscription fees that give you access to streaming content on-demand.
You can still pirate if you like, but think about it: breaking moral codes or the law could be the least of your concerns. Getting rid of entrenched malware is hard, and having your identity or data stolen could cost you your job or your credit rating: hardly a fair trade for a free watch of the latest Snowpiercer episode.
FAQs
1. Do illegal streaming sites have viruses?
Illegal streaming sites can pose a serious security risk, as they are often rife with viruses and other malware. It is therefore important to exercise caution when using these sites, and to ensure that your anti-virus software is up to date. In addition, be sure not to download any files from these sites, as these may also contain malware.
2. Are illegal streaming sites safe?
Illegal streaming sites can be a potential security risk. By streaming content from unauthorized sources, you may be opening your device up to malware and other security risks. In addition, many of these sites are not licensed or authorized to stream the content they offer, so you may be breaking the law by using them. (see 'How to Install Antivirus on Firestick').
3. Is illegal streaming bad for your computer?
Each time you access illegal content, whether through modified streaming boxes, Smart TVs, or streaming sticks, or other devices. An unauthorized website, app, add-on, or another illegal source, you risk being exposed to dangerous pop-ups, spread malware, and/or the risk of fraud and hacking.
4. Can you go to jail for streaming movies?
No, you would not face jail time for streaming pirated content, though you could face legal action. There have been instances of individuals downloading/streaming pirated content being sued for thousands of dollars by the distribution companies that own the rights to specific films.
5. What happens if you go on illegal websites?
If you access websites that are illegal in your country--that is, sites that are not authorized for viewing by the government--you may be subject to prosecution. The laws governing what is and is not legal online vary from country to country, so it's important to know the specific regulations in your area before you take any risks. In some cases, even viewing illegal websites may be considered a crime; in others, only downloading or sharing copyrighted material may be punishable.
