The content piracy game has come a long way since the days of movie camcorders and fakes sold around the corner. Over the last fifteen years, the advent of digital distribution methods and the acceleration of Internet speeds have created a problem of an entirely different magnitude. VPNs and other privacy-focused technologies, on the other hand, have helped people cover up their suspicious activity online. According to Keiron Sharp, who runs the anti-piracy organization FACT, the complexity of the modern landscape calls for a new approach. It used to be about prosecuting people running illegitimate sites, whereas today the focus is on prevention and disruption. "When you look back at the mid-2000s, it's day and night as technology continues to change the legal and illegal landscape," Sharp told TechRadar Pro. "Video streaming in particular has transformed the entertainment industry. , but it has also made life easier for criminals. The public perception of piracy has also changed; when there is no physical product, it is more difficult to convince people that an illegal act has occurred. The scale of the piracy problem means that it can be difficult for FACT to determine where to best invest its resources. But Sharp says his strategy is to continue to pressure and wear down criminals with "tenacity," and action against consumers of pirated content is also on the agenda.
A crime without victims?
A common reason for content piracy is that it is a victimless crime; Production companies and Hollywood stars can afford to make a little less money, the argument goes. Others painted pirates as Robin Hood figures, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. It's a story Sharp has heard over and over again during his 17 years at FACT and dismissed as a misconception. The people who lose out to piracy aren't the wealthy actors and executives, she argues, but everyone. "The amount of money it takes to produce a movie or TV series is considerable, running into the hundreds of millions," she explained. “So if production companies aren't willing to risk low-margin projects because of piracy, those kinds of productions just won't exist. The fans will ultimately be the people who suffer. “Those with 'normal' jobs in the industry are even more at risk: sound engineers, camera operators, set builders, etc. These people are dependent on ordinary wages in a company that is shaky at best, but money problems will only breed more insecurity. Asked if broadcasters and other industry players should play their role in inciting piracy by excluding people from the legitimate market, Sharp was skeptical. "Broadcasters would probably say price is proportional to cost of production ... And there will always be a situation where people think they are paying too much," he said. This may be precisely the problem. As long as people think they are paying more and resent the amount of money being intended for entertainment and sports, piracy will continue to look like the act of hitting humans.
The forgotten risk
Aside from the ethical issues surrounding piracy, one factor that is often overlooked is the potential for end-users to find themselves in a dangerous situation. Cybercriminals frequently abuse illegal streaming and torrenting websites to spread malware and phishing for personal data, according to security firm Webroot. And there is no way to eliminate this security risk, no matter how smart or experienced the user. “Owners of illegal streaming sites need a way to create a revenue stream, and therefore are often happy to sell ad space on their sites through illegitimate means,” said Kelvin Murray, principal investigator at Webroot. “This results in attackers occupying that space to block links and popups that cause serious threats to user security. "
(Image credit: fizkes / Shutterstock) The types of threats found on hacking sites are many and varied, from malware and ransomware to phishing and bank scams. Cryptojacking campaigns have also reportedly gained popularity this year, due to the rise of cryptocurrencies. In short, Murray says, it's impossible to stay safe on illegitimate websites because their operators have no incentive to implement one of the usual structures that would generally protect visitors from website attacks. While Webroot does not endorse the use of illegal streaming websites, it does point out that there are some red flags that general web users should be aware of, including pop-ups, multiple redirects, and requests to change browser settings. “We also recommend that while browsing any site on the web, users update their software and operating systems, use virus scanning and anti-phishing, and double-check all links before clicking, especially when they claim to offer something looks too good to be true,” Murray added. That being said, however, even the best antivirus in the world won't protect consumers from pirated content in the event of a police crackdown.
A crackdown is coming
Historically, while those who operate pirate websites and illegal feeds have faced the prospect of legal action, those who consume pirated content have largely gone unpunished. Over the past few months, for example, FACT has been involved in the arrest and prosecution of several people who illegally sell or provide access to premium channels and sports content, but in none of these cases have charges been filed. end users. However, Sharp says there is an offensive on the horizon that will affect parties on both sides of the piracy equation. Of course, he couldn't give details, but he promised that something was in the works. "First of all, we want to educate people," she said. "They must be informed that they are putting money in the hands of criminals, that industries could be destroyed for non-payment and that there are security risks." “But people who continue to use illegal sites should also know that there are penalties. Warnings aside, there really hasn't been a campaign to date targeting people who consume content illegally, but it does happen. "It's hard not to wonder if the matronly tone and finger movement have worked against FACT over the years. After all, some people like to rebel, especially if they think they can get away with it. But this time, Sharp warns, "it's not an empty threat."