Millions of UK homes continue to stream movies, TV and prime-time sporting events illegally and it’s not hard to see why. So-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks are booming in popularity with these connected gadgets offering full access to premium services at a fraction of the price of platforms such as Sky, Virgin Media and TNT Sports.
Although it might sound tempting, the crackdown on this kind of activity continues to instisfy with the authorities recently confirming raids across the UK. Although it’s mainly the suppliers of illegal services that are under the spotlight, consumers can still be at risk and and if you thought hiding behind a Virtual Private Network (VPN) will keep you safe you might be mistaken.
Although most VPNs will make sure your IP web address stays undetected and secret, not all online services offer the same kinds of protection and some might be more than happy to reveal all about your streaming habits.
That’s according to expert James Bore who recently busted the myth about VPNs and how safe they really are.
“Some VPNs claim not to keep logs, which makes it harder to trace you,” Bore explained in an interview with Mirror Online.
“Others genuinely don’t keep logs. Even where they do keep logs, many will require a warrant to access those and other obstacles apply.”
Despite this protection, James added that you should ‘never assume’ your security is perfect.
In fact, VPN providers themselves are a mixed bag of reputable and disreputable sellers, and it can be hard to tell them apart unless you’re a pro.
“Some will provide your activity logs if copyright-holders bring legal pressure or threats against them,” James warned. “Of course, some of the jailbroken devices that you can buy promise security, but you should always remember that the sellers do not care whether or not you are caught – only that you gave them money.”
Along with the fact that it’s highly illegal, are other risks when using ‘dodgy’ devices to watch TV online. So services are riddled with malware whilst others can expose families to innaporiate content.
Yes, not paying a high price for football, F1 and movies might sound like a great idea but it could leave exposes to all sorts of threats.
Speaking about the new crackdown, Kieron Sharp, CEO FACT said: “Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings—they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.
“If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences.
“We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations. The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance.
“To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.”
