Millions of households warned not to use illegal Amazon Fire Sticks amid major Wi-Fi scam

The Wifi takeover scam has now raised concerns for users of smart home devices across the globe, with illegal TV box users the next potential victims

UK households are being urged to steer clear of illegal 'dodgy TV boxes' following a hacking spree that affected millions of Android users. Last month, 1.3 million Android-based streaming devices worldwide were compromised, sparking alarms for smart home device users everywhere.

The latest victims of a Wi-Fi hijacking scam could be those engaged in streaming piracy. Those who have purchased altered streaming devices enabling access to premium content from providers like Sky and Premier League are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

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Jailbroken TV boxes and sticks pose a risk of personal and financial data falling into the hands of cybercriminals. Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, warned in The Sun: "Android-powered set-top TV boxes are hugely popular at the moment, particularly as they are relatively inexpensive and can be customised to viewer's requirements."

He added, "Much to the anger of streaming companies, they are often corrupted to become 'dodgy boxes' that allow users to access multiple services for free."

Briedis highlighted the overlooked security risks and potential legal consequences of owning such devices, reports the Express.

An unlocked Amazon Fire Stick, for instance, provides access to apps and services not officially available on the Amazon app store.

By default, Amazon permits the installation and use of only approved apps. However, many households alter the device's settings to install third-party apps not available in the Amazon app store.

These unverified third-party apps could pose a threat to your privacy or security as they may not undergo rigorous checks for security risks like those in the Amazon app store. This means they could harbour harmful codes that could steal your credentials and personal information, subscribe you to services without your consent, or damage your device.

Yet, most people wouldn't notice if malicious third-party software was installed on their device, alongside the software that allows them to watch Sky shows for free.