Hidden dodgy Fire Stick cost as one in three users set back £1,700 on average
Your chipped Amazon Fire TV Stick could well be hiding a troubling secret.
We all know somebody who has one: those illegally compromised streaming devices that save users hundreds of pounds every month for a small upfront fee.
By plugging in the sticks, which go for as little as £24.00 before the anonymous cybercriminals flood them with pirated channels and copies of TV shows and films, people open themselves up to a whole raft of potential dangers.
According to the UK initiative known as BeStreamWise, while you're browsing material straight from Disney+ and Apple TV, or DAZN at an astronomically low cost, these criminals may actually be able to access bank accounts and your personal data.
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Just when you think you've conquered the entertainment system, statistics tell us that one in three 'dodgy stick' streamers will fall foul of fraud.
"1 in 3 (32%) people who illegally stream in the UK say they, or someone they know, have been a victim of fraud, scams, or identity theft as a result," read Dynata research.
Victims lost an average of £1,700.
The hackers responsible for these 'money-saving' pieces of kit like to install malware onto the dongles, and it's not just users' pockets that are robbed.
Identities are also being stolen by the designers, who hide particular apps on the Fire TV Stick to infiltrate your dearest details.
This comes after the UK government issued a stern warning to all who indulge in free streaming.
"These devices often lack parental controls," they said in a statement. "Using them could expose children or young people to explicit or age inappropriate content.
"Another important reason for consumers to avoid purchasing these streaming devices is from an electrical safety point of view. Where devices and their power cables have been tested, some have failed EU safety standards and have the potential to present a real danger to the public, causing a fire in your home or premises.
"The creative industries in the UK is a very important sector. It provides employment for more than 1.9 million people and contributes £84.1 billion to our economy. Using illicit streaming devices is illegal. If you are not paying for this content you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy. Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices."
Topics: TV and Film, Technology, Amazon, Crime
Dan Seddon