Over one million people in the UK who illegally stream TV programmes and films on Kodi boxes could have their gadgets HIJACKED by cyber-criminals

  • The findings come from a report that looked at how cyber criminals make money
  • The majority of criminals behind digital piracy make their money from adverts
  • Others pay other criminals to put malware on sites and hijack users' computers  

If you use a Kodi box to stream or download illegal content, then cyber criminals could be using you to make money, a new report has revealed.

The report gives a first-of-its-kind insight into how criminals are profiting from pirating content.

One of the scariest tactics highlighted in the report includes putting malware on sites that allows criminals to hijack your computer and spy on you.

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If you use a Kodi box to stream or download illegal content, then cyber criminals could be using you to make money, a terrifying new report has revealed (stock image) 

If you use a Kodi box to stream or download illegal content, then cyber criminals could be using you to make money, a terrifying new report has revealed (stock image) 

TACTICS USED BY CYBER CRIMINALS 

The report highlights a range of tactics used by cyber criminals to make money:  

- Advertising - typically banner ads or pop-up windows for casinos or dating sites

- Subscription fees to access paid-for channels

- Charging other criminals to put malware on sites and hijack users' computers

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The report, titled Cracking Down on Digital Piracy, was created by experts from the Intellectual Property Office, FACT, City of London Police, Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, Police Scotland and Entura International.

It gives an insight into digital piracy criminality in the UK, and the crackdown to prevent it.

The report found that over one million illegal set-top boxes with add-ons, such as Kodi, were sold in the UK in the last two years, putting the public at significant risk.

While the majority of criminals behind digital piracy make their money from advertising – typically banner ads or pop-up windows for casinos or dating sites – the report highlights a range of tactics used.

Other money-making scams include subscription fees to access paid-for channels, and charging other criminals to put malware on sites and hijack users' computers.

The report estimates that hundreds of millions of pounds go to these criminal groups every year.

Kieron Sharp, Director General at FACT, said: 'This report has come at a crucial time in our fight against digital piracy.

Premier League bosses are debating whether to live stream games directly to fans or stick to with its lucrative TV deals. Should the League decide to start streaming matches it could give Kodi box (pictured) users a new way to watch games online without fear of legal action

The report found that over one million illegal set-top boxes with add-ons, such as Kodi, were sold in the UK in the last two years, putting the public at significant risk 

IS KODI ILLEGAL? 

The European Court of Justice has ruled that 'fully loaded' Kodi boxes, which include plugins that can access pirated material, are illegal to sell and own.

Temporary files, like those created when media content is streamed, are technically exempt under copyright law.

People selling 'fully loaded' Kodi boxes exploited this legal loophole to provide illegal content.

But the court, which is the highest in the EU, found against a Dutch vendor, identified in court papers as Mr Willums, who sold fully loaded boxes over the internet.

And although the court recognised the equipment itself was not illegal, the way he had customised them was. 

The new ruling puts pirated streams on the same legal footing as illegal downloads.

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'A quarter of Brits access digital material illegally, and often don't realise the risks associated with that, for them and their families.

'Pirates are not Robin Hood characters; they are criminals who do it to make money through illicit means.

'As a result, the risks are high – inappropriate advertising that could be seen by young children, electrical safety associated with counterfeit parts, and financial cyber crime.'

The report also mentions several concerning trends emerging that consumers should be aware of.

Firstly, it highlights that the availability of illegal add-ons to Kodi software – which have no security standards or controls - has helped organised gangs reach a wider audience.

The report also found that social media streaming has overtaken web streaming, helping criminals attract more viewers and putting more users at risk of malware security issues.

The 'dark web' is also mentioned, in which more criminal gangs are using the dark web - hidden from the mainstream internet – to sell illicit information, such as the illegal software used to modify set-top boxes or the customer data they've acquired through malware.

The report highlights that the availability of illegal add-ons to Kodi software ¿ which have no security standards or controls - has helped organised gangs reach a wider audience 

The report highlights that the availability of illegal add-ons to Kodi software – which have no security standards or controls - has helped organised gangs reach a wider audience 

And finally the report found that many criminals are moving their businesses online, helping them to remain anonymous and avoid capture.

DCI Pete Ratcliffe, Head of PIPCU, said: 'While it may be tempting for people to think they are getting a bargain when streaming illegally, it's important to remember that there are organised criminals behind it, often associated with other serious crimes.

'Pirating content is not a petty crime; from release groups, to site operators to set-top box wholesalers and distributors, there is an international criminal business model.' 

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