Video piracy is putting your computer at risk

Video piracy is an illegal operation that has come to prominence in the last decade or so. Acts of piracy have had serious consequences for a range of stakeholders, including artists, producers and production companies.

However, there is an argument that is overlooked in this debate: Video piracy also puts your personal information at risk.

What is piracy?

Content theft, or piracy, is an activity whereby a group or community of people illegally share copyrighted material between themselves.

Although piracy can be traced back to bootlegged VHS cassettes, contemporary content theft is based on online peer-to-peer sharing. According to a 2013 Guardian article, this all began with the creation of Napster in 1999. Its software facilitated the sharing of music by allowing users to dip into each other's hard drives and access sharable files.1

In the contemporary world, software such as BitTorrent and websites including The Pirate Bay dominate content theft circles. Major US production companies have been waging a visible war with pirates in an effort to mitigate the impact piracy activities have on their earnings.

However, as successful as they have been, there is still a long way to go before piracy can be eradicated. While the sites are active, it is important to be aware of the digital hazards that lurk beneath the surface of their pages. 

How can a pirated movie impact my personal information?

According to a report from the Digital Citizens Alliance, piracy sites present a risk to internet users because they contain a range of dangerous malware that can be used to access secure information.2

The report is based on an investigation by cybersecurity firm RiskIQ into the volume and type of malware that circulates among piracy sites. Additionally, the study looked into the kinds of relationships that couples piracy with malware supply chains. 2

The survey investigated around 800 sites that distribute movies and television shows online. The findings show that 1 in 3 piracy sites contained malware, while internet users were 28 times more likely to get malware from these sites than if they had visited an authorised online distributor.2

"It's clear that the criminals who exploit stolen content have diversified to make more money by baiting consumers to view videos and songs and then stealing their IDs and financial information," said Executive Director of the Digital Citizens Alliance Tom Galvin.2

It is not just downloading, either - simply visiting a site can expose a user's computer to risk. The study found that drive-by downloads accounted for 45 per cent of malware delivered. Drive-by downloads do not require a user to follow a link or open a file. Instead, malware is uploaded to your computer in the background.2

Video piracy can expose your computer to a number of cyberthreats - including malware. While the mode of attack might differ, one of the overall goals of cyberattackers is to attain your personal information and trade it online.

The best way to keep your computer clean of malware is by avoiding content theft sites altogether. In response, here are two legal alternatives to piracy.

Netflix

Netflix is a subscription-based television network that uses the internet to supply its members with on-demand media entertainment, which includes feature films, documentaries and original productions. 

According to Netflix themselves, approximately 69 million members from over 60 countries are currently enjoying more than 100 million hours of television shows and movies per day.3

YouTube

Most people think that YouTube is a video sharing platform primarily used by amateurs. However, what a lot of people do not realise that it is also home to a number of legal movies and TV shows. 

Additionally, YouTube can be accessed on just about every digital device you own.

These two video platforms are excellent alternatives to online piracy.

Avoiding content theft websites is your best bet at protecting your personal information. However, in the event that your information is stolen, there is a series of services that can alert you and give you the extra time you need to mitigate the impact of identity theft. 

If you are worried about your personal information, talk to the experts in the field. Contact Identity Watch today and discover how their services can help ensure your personal information is kept safe. 

1 Napster: the day the music was set free. Guardian. Accessed: 22/12/2015

2 Digital Bait. Digital Citizens Alliance and RiskIQ. Accessed: 22/12/2015

3 Netflix website. Netflix. Accessed: 22/12/2015