Hacker sends warning to football fans illegally streaming using fire sticks or IPTV

A renowned hacker has issued a warning to football fans that illegally stream matches through IPTV.

The Premier League has increased its efforts to prevent fans illegally streaming games through IPTV.

It comes after the rise of the technology which delivers TV content through Internet Protocol or broadband services.

Others, meanwhile, have been using Amazon Fire Sticks to illegally watch matches in England's top flight.

People offering these services will often charge a lower rate than the official copyright holders as a way of enticing those looking for a bargain, with millions using various services around the world.

The Fraud Act 2006 states that is illegal 'to watch TV or streaming services without paying the required fee'.

Earlier this year, a 42-year-old man from Sutton Coldfield was jailed for 12 months after being convicted of copyright crimes between 2017 and 2021.

He had pleaded guilty to a range of offences, including the possession, sale or distribution of a device designed to circumvent technical measures, as well as the promotion, advertisement or marketing of a service 'the purpose of which is to circumvent technical measures'.

People have been using Amazon Fire Sticks to illegally watch football matches. Image: Getty

Now, Jenny Radcliffe, a professional hacker, has claimed the risks of illegally streaming are huge.

She revealed people who stream are at risk of being hit with viruses that can access bank accounts or steal personal information.

"The perception that illegal streaming is a victimless crime is completely inaccurate," she said.

"The sites that host these services are loaded with malicious links, back doors and tricks to access people’s digital and financial information, giving professional criminals an open invitation to steal from anyone who engages in these activities.

"Whether it's multiple charges to credit cards, installing malware on devices, accessing bank accounts, or stealing personal information such as emails, messages, contacts, photographs, documents and browsing history, engaging in illegal streaming makes you a prime target for professional fraudsters.

"And what is worse, because these activities are illegal, victims may have little or no recourse for recovering their losses and may even face criminal charges themselves."

Topics: Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar