• A fifth (18%) of illegal streamers have become victims of malware infections on their devices in the past year, new data shows
• The threat to employers is also revealed as seven in ten illegal streamers admit to illegally accessing content on their work phones
• BeStreamWise launches Soho pop-up, fronted by comedian and ambassador Babatunde Aleshe, offering device checks and guidance on illegal streaming risks

New research* released today reveals the growing cyber threat facing illegal streamers, with one in five (18%) reporting a malware infection in the past 12 months after illegally accessing TV, movies or live sport.  This follows previous BeStreamWise research that showed that two in five (41%) illegal streamers have had their bank account details compromised while accessing content illegally, losing on average £1,680.**

Employers will also be concerned to learn that seven in 10 (68%) people who access content illegally have done so on a work-issued smartphone, while almost six in ten (58%) have streamed illegally on a work laptop, potentially putting sensitive company data at risk.

The research was conducted for BeStreamWise, a cross-industry initiative which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal streaming. To help, BeStreamWise has today launched a new pop-up “device amnesty” in Soho, London, where concerned consumers can better understand the dangers of piracy and have their devices checked for malicious software.

Located on D’Arblay Street (W1F 8EJ) ‘The Con-venience Store’, fronted for the day by comedian and BeStreamWise ambassador Babatunde Aleshe, will allow concerned consumers to hear from a cyber security expert on how to monitor their devices for suspicious activity.

James Bores, an independent cyber security expert, commented: "Illegal streaming sites and apps sit outside the security checks that legitimate platforms go through. This means the risk of running into malware, or being scammed into handing over information or money, is much higher.

“The fact that one in five illegal streamers have had a malware infection in the past year shows that these aren't rare. With so few people running antivirus software and clear knowledge gaps, infections go unnoticed. Once malware is on a device, it's no longer yours: it's under the control of the criminals behind it. That means everything you use the device for – every password you enter, every message you send and all your private information – is potentially visible to them."