HOUSEHOLDS using dodgy Fire Sticks are at risk of inviting malware into their devices, an anti-piracy campaign has warned.
Fire Sticks that have been modified with third-party software to illegally stream premium TV content are flooding homes across the UK.
They give viewers cheap access Premier League games, movies and Sky channels.
But over 2.7million households streaming premium content illegally had their devices infected with viruses between 2022 and 2023, according to data from Walnut Unlimited and Industry Trust.
“One in 10 people believe they are not at risk when using illicit sources to watch TV, film or sports,” BeStreamWise warned.
“In reality, illegal streams let criminals in, making it easy to hack your device, steal your money, personal data and identity.”
The groups selling illegal streaming services often have ties to organised crime.
“Illegal streaming sites and apps are often used to deliver dangerous malware,” the organisation added.
“This risk increases significantly when users exchange credit or debit card information to view content on unregulated and illicit websites.”
Earlier this week, Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET told The Sun that crooks can use malware on Fire Sticks to access your entire home network.
“These devices have been known to be shipped with malware that is designed to steal your personal data or allow hackers to roam around your home network – or even take control of your webcams,” he said.
This is typically done through Wi-Fi, as one infected device can provide a back door route into your other electronics.
It means a hacker can spy and gain access to any information sent out from all of the devices on your hacked network.
Moore’s warning came just days after Just days after police targeted 30 Brits in their latest crackdown against illegal streaming.
BeStreamWise is an anti-piracy group that has been quietly expanding its membership since its launch just over a year ago.
The BBC, DAZN, NBCUniversal, and the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit have recently joined, alongside original members Sky, Premier League, and FACT.
In July, police conducted its largest-ever illegal streaming bust, where 40 illegal streaming operators got stung with warnings.
Speaking to The Sun after the record bust, FACT CEO Kevin Sharp, said: “Some of this has organised crime behind it, not all of it, but some of it does… which is why when we prosecute people they get such long prison sentences as you can see from previous cases we’ve sent to court.”
Illegal streaming can be delivered by a number of devices by one of the most common are 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks, which means a third-party media server software has been installed on to it.
The software most commonly used is called Kodi.
It can grant users unrestricted access to new features and apps the normal version of the device wouldn’t allow – but it is not legal to use in the UK.
But it becomes illegal when a box is used to stream subscription channels for free.
It is also illegal to buy or sell these modified devices which have become known as “fully-loaded” – a term that describes how the software has been altered to allow access to subscription-only channels.
“These devices are legal when used to watch legitimate, free to air, content,” the government said at the time.
“They become illegal once they are adapted to stream illicit content, for example TV programmes, films and subscription sports channels without paying the appropriate subscriptions.”
