“DODGY” Fire Stick users have received an urgent warning of a sinister hack threat when they watch Premier League games.
Fans who illegally stream the matches using the modified devices are at a serious risk of their personal data being stolen by hackers, according to safe streaming initiative BeStreamWise.
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Several viewers were reportedly “intercepted” by the new anti-piracy scheme before last weekend’s north London Derby.
BeStreamWise, a cross-body initiative that partners with Sky, the Premier League, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and Crimestoppers UK, set up an experiment to showcase the dangers of illegal streaming.
Members of the public were invited to register for a free streaming service that delivered access to TV, film, and sports content, the organisation claims.
However, the users were also required to provide their personal information to the platform.
Participants were then alerted that the service was not a legitimate streaming provider.
BeStreamWise said: “Giving away personal data and visiting unfamiliar links are two tactics which allow criminals and hackers the ability to attack and gain control of devices and networks.”
The organisation added that one in three illegal streamers in the UK say that they or a person they know has been subjected to some form of fraud or scam.
In August, brothers Amir Butt and Ammar Hussain were sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison for operating an illegal streaming service.
The pair had been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud over a seven-year period between August 2012 and March 2019 and had sold annual subscriptions, giving people access to a range of sports and entertainment content in a £200 package.
Their illegal activity came to light through the intellectual property protection agency FACT, which referred their activity to Sky.
Matt Hibbert, Director of Anti-Piracy, UK and ROI, at Sky, said: “We’re seeing more and more evidence of links between those involved in operating illegal streaming services and organised crime, and this [BeStreamWise] initiative aims to increase public awareness of the risks of piracy, empowering audiences to safeguard themselves while enjoying the content they love.”
In 2019, an independent report produced by GumGum Sports and MUSO estimated the cost of illegal streaming to the Premier League as £1 million per game.
Police and government officials have been looking to crack down on illegal streaming services in the past year, with broadcasters and sporting organisations missing out on large sums of money due to the loss in revenue.
In July, three men were arrested as part of the efforts to toughen up on the use of “illegal Amazon Fire Sticks.”
FACT added that there had been an increase in the number of those opting to use the devices in order to illegally watch content.
A survey by global research firm YouGov Sport has found that 5.1million adults in England, Scotland, and Wales admitted to watching sport via an illegal streaming website, pirated app or modified set-top box in the first six months of 2023.
BeStreamWise added that nearly three million devices belonging to Brits have ended up being infected due to illegal streaming, while 90 percent of illegal streaming sites are classed as risky.
‘Dodgy’ Amazon Fire Sticks
More and more Brits are using dodgy Amazon Fire Sticks to watch exclusive channels without paying a monthly fee.
Legitimate Fire Sticks offer users instant access to TV from a range of paid streaming apps, such as Prime Video and Netflix.
But some people obtain versions with unofficial apps side-loaded onto them that provide free or cheap access to premium channels.
The trend shows no signs of abating – so how exactly do people get hold of the illegal sticks?
The Sun understands you need to know someone who has a dodgy firestick that can then give your number to an anonymous “admin”.
They then organise a payment so you can download apps, receive logins and then get access.
You’re also added to a “customer service” WhatsApp group where the admin troubleshoots problems and takes requests for films and TV shows.
Users pay £100 a year to access all the channels they can think of from around the world and in the UK.
It gives you unlimited access to Premier League football on Sky and TNT.
It also includes the latest movies and TV shows on Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
But chartered security professional James Bore told The Sun it is possible the devices could be used against you.
He said: “In the same way as buying a second hand laptop, it’s possible the seller has put software on it which may track data, copy passwords, and similar.
“It’s not necessarily likely, but it’s certainly possible.”
The tech guru also said the problem is only getting worse and dodgy firesticks are here to stay.
