People who use ‘dodgy’ Amazon Fire sticks are ‘doing cybercriminals’ jobs for them’, an expert has warned.
New research has shown consumers are risking thousands of pounds by accessing content illegally online while saving as little as £13 per month – with two in five revealing they have fallen victim to financial fraud.
According to Rob Shapland, an ethical hacker with 16 years’ experience in cyber security, people who buy fake Fire sticks are putting themselves at risk of having their credit card details and passwords stolen.
He told Metro that illegal streamers could lose around £2,000 by allowing cybercriminals to access their personal information.
It comes amid a series of crackdowns on dodgy Fire sticks across the UK.
Rob said: ‘Information on how to buy dodgy Fire sticks is readily available online – there has been an increase [in uptake] in this regard.
‘People assume that because their friend bought one, there’s no downside.
‘By buying one of these devices you risk downloading malware onto your phone or laptop – you’re doing hackers’ jobs for them.
‘It means you’re trusting criminals with access to your information.’
Five ways you could be targeted by cybercriminals
Asked by Metro how to spot the signs of financial fraud, Rob revealed five common tricks hackers use to con victims into handing over their personal information.
- Phishing: A type of cyberattack where criminals will impersonate legitimate sources to trick you into handing over sensitive information – such as passwords or credit card details. They will send emails pretending to be your bank or a online delivery courier and ask you to click on a link to a fake web page.
- Phone calls: Criminals will phone you, pretending to represent your bank and ask for your credit card details.
- Text scams: Much like phishing, hackers will send SMS messages with fake links.
- AI and deepfake voices: Scammers will use technology to impersonate celebrities, asking for your information or money.
- Malicious apps: Entering your credit card information into fake apps will lead you into giving your details to ‘unscrupulous people’.
Rob said illegal streamers are ‘literally choosing to download a virus’, adding that while it ‘seems like you’re saving money’ by buying dodgy devices, people are ‘just being stupid’.
He said: ‘The moment you plug in a modified device to your TV, or download an illegal streaming app on your phone or tablet, you’ve done all the hard work for them.’
The research found that, of the two in five who have fallen victim to financial fraud after using illegal streaming devices in the past 12 months, the average amount stolen was £1,680.
That’s more than half the average monthly gross salary in the UK.
Meanwhile one in ten said they had lost more than £7,500.
The findings of the research conducted by BeStreamWise, a cross-industry initiative aiming to raise awareness of the dangers of using dodgy devices, reveal that users believe they save £13.38 per month (£160 per year) by not paying for official subscriptions.
This means the average value people stand to lose is 950% higher than the average amount they save each year.
One victim of financial fraud has revealed how streaming illegally led to his bank details being stolen.
David, whose real name has been kept anonymous for privacy reasons, said: ‘I used to think I was just bending the rules a bit by streaming illegally.
‘But when my bank details were stolen twice and someone even tried to buy a speedboat in my name, it put everything into perspective.
‘It’s not just your money at stake, you’re playing into the hands of real criminals. Once I understood that, I stopped immediately.’
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