One in five illegal streamers hit by malware, research finds
The article highlights new research showing that illegal streaming increasingly exposes consumers to cybersecurity threats, with 18% of people who illegally streamed television, films or live sport reporting a malware infection during the past year. The findings come from BeStreamWise, a UK anti-piracy awareness campaign backed by the BBC, ITV, Sky, the Premier League, the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Crimestoppers.
The research found that malware is only one of several risks associated with pirate streaming services. Previous BeStreamWise studies revealed that 41% of illegal streamers had their bank account details compromised, losing an average of £1,680, demonstrating that piracy platforms frequently serve as gateways for financial fraud, phishing and identity theft rather than simply providing unauthorized content.
The report also identified significant risks for employers. Around 68% of people who illegally access streamed content admitted doing so on a work-issued smartphone, while 58% said they had used a work laptop for illegal streaming. Security experts warn that malware infections on corporate devices can expose sensitive company data, business networks and customer information to cybercriminals.
To raise awareness, BeStreamWise launched a public campaign in London’s Soho featuring free device health checks and cybersecurity advice delivered by comedian Babatunde Aleshe, one of the campaign’s ambassadors. The initiative encourages consumers to understand that illegal streaming is not simply a copyright issue but also a serious personal cybersecurity risk.
Industry representatives emphasized that pirate streaming services often generate revenue through malicious advertising, fake software updates and hidden malware rather than subscriptions alone. Once installed, malware can steal passwords, banking credentials, personal documents and other sensitive information while remaining undetected for long periods.
The article concludes that anti-piracy campaigns are increasingly shifting their messaging from protecting rights holders to protecting consumers themselves. By highlighting the real-world consequences of malware, financial fraud and compromised work devices, BeStreamWise hopes to discourage illegal streaming through cybersecurity awareness alongside traditional copyright enforcement.
