Illegal Streaming – Why You Should Stop (The Hidden Dangers)

After a long day yesterday, I couldn’t wait to go home, slouch on my couch and watch my favourite national football team. When kick-off was near, I loaded up Totalsportek waiting for the match. We came guns blazing and six minutes in we were already 1-0 up. Adrenaline through the roof celebrating knowing at least my day was going to end well. However, my happiness was cut short minutes later when I got a Malwarebytes alert…I ignored the first, the second, the third and by half-time, there were like 5 alerts that had popped up.

You see, the internet is full of "free" streaming sites offering live sports, movies, and TV shows without subscriptions. But what’s the real cost? As the saying goes, If the product is free, then you are the product. Well in this case your computer is, with all its files and data. Many users don’t realize that illegal streaming isn’t just a legal risk, it’s a major cybersecurity threat.

I recently got MalwareBytes on a free trial and it’s really an eye-opening revelation. After my own scary experience while using one of these sites, I decided to dig deeper. Here’s what I found, and why you should avoid illegal streams at all costs.

1. Malware & Malvertising: The Silent Threat

   Malvertising is a type of cyberattack where malicious code is inserted into legitimate online advertising networks and websites. This allows cybercriminals to spread malware, such as viruses and spyware, disguised as ordinary advertisements. Users can unknowingly be infected by clicking on these malicious ads or even just by viewing them if their browser has vulnerabilities.

   According to Malawarebytes definitions, Malvertising, or malicious advertising, is the term for criminally controlled advertisements within Internet connected programs, usually web browsers, which intentionally harm people and businesses with all manner of malware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and assorted scams. In other words, malvertising uses what looks like legitimate online advertising to distribute malware and other threats with little to no user interaction required.

   With little to no user interaction required - scary right? You just being in the website is just enough for the cyber criminals. They do this by drive-by downloads. You don’t even need to click on the ad to trigger the malicious activity. Just loading the web page hosting the ad (or a spam email or malicious pop-up window) redirects you to an exploit landing page, which takes advantage of any vulnerabilities in your browser or holes in your software security to access your machine.

   Malvertising can appear on any advertisement on any site, even the ones you visit as part of your everyday Internet browsing. Typically, malvertising installs a tiny piece of code, which sends your computer to criminal command and control servers. The server scans your computer for its location and what software is installed on it, and then chooses which malware it determines is most effective to send you.

   When I streamed a game on an illegal site, Malwarebytes suddenly blocked multiple outbound connections:

   • Compromised websites (Ports 51714, 51266 - These are non-standard, often used by malware for sneaky communication)

   • Malvertising (e.g., gmivenjzunzgr.com - To make maters even scarier VirusTotal flagged it as ‘clean’)

   • Phishing attempts (Port 443 - an attempt to connect to a fake login page (e.g., stealing credentials)

I hadn’t clicked anything—these attacks happened automatically through:

• Injected scripts (running in the background)

• Fake video players (that download malware)

• Malicious ads (even if the site itself looks clean)

Why this matters:

• Many illegal sites are riddled with exploit kits that silently infect your device.

• Some malware can log keystrokes, steal passwords, or enlist your PC into a botnet turning it into a crypto-mining bot or a bot to be used in DDoS Attacks.

2. Legal Consequences (It’s Not Worth the Risk)

   While malware is scary, the legal risks are also real:

   • Fines & lawsuits (copyright holders track IPs)

   • ISP warnings (some countries block repeat offenders)

   • Criminal charges (in extreme cases)

Example: In 2024, a major crackdown on illegal streaming led by Eurojust & Europol and a major streaming network was shut down, and users received $250,000 fines for piracy.

3. Poor Quality & Scams

   Ever noticed how illegal streams:

   • Buffer endlessly?

   • Suddenly switch to fake "update" pages?

   • Ask for credit card details ("to verify your location")?

These aren’t accidents—they’re deliberate tactics to frustrate users into clicking malicious links.

4. Final Warning: Protect Yourself

   If you’ve used illegal streams before and notice slower PC performance, unusual pop-ups or processes in Task Manager:

   1. Run a full system scan (Malwarebytes, Windows Defender to check for malware).

   2. Clear your browser cache/data:

      • Malicious scripts can persist in cached files.

   3. Check for suspicious browser extensions - to remove any you don’t recognize or don’t remember adding.

   4. Change passwords (especially if you logged in anywhere).

   5. Use an ad-blocker to reduce the risks.

   6. Avoid illegal streaming sites: Use legal alternatives, official sports streams. These sites are a major malware vector.

The bottom line? That "free" stream could cost you your privacy, security, or even legal trouble. Stay safe—stream legally!

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