Cybercriminals are using new episodes of GoT to distribute malware, PureVPN warns
Industry: Technology
Steer clear of illegally downloaded episodes of GoT – they might result in dangerous malware infections!
Hong Kong (PRUnderground) April 26th, 2019
With the eighth and final season of GoT hitting the screens, millions of crazed fans are excited to see how the popular HBO drama will end. However, not everybody is willing to pay the price to watch it. This is evident from the fact that, according to TorrentFreak, GoT is one of the world’s most torrented TV shows.
Kaspersky Lab has just released a report which reveals that in 2017 and 2018 GoT topped the list of TV shows most frequently used by cybercriminals as a disguise for malware. In 2018 alone, the TV show accounted for a whopping 17% of all malware-infected pirated content with more than 20,900 attacked users even though no new episodes were released.
What’s the problem exactly?
The main issue is that cybercriminals realize how big GoT is as a TV show, which gives them a larger surface to attack. Moreover, when people torrent content, they often don’t check the extensions of the files downloaded – this is where malware can be hiding!
As such, it’s very likely that cybercriminals are standing by to cash in on the highly anticipated episodes of the final GoT season. They may disguise malware inside torrents, or promise to provide downloads for leaked episodes, which are, in fact, a cyber threat.
How to stay protected?
To remain safe from malicious files pretending to be episodes of GoT, PureVPN recommends the following measures:
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Install and use a reliable anti-virus/anti-malware program for comprehensive security against a wide variety of online threats.
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Make it a habit to avoid clicking on links from unknown sources, especially those that claim to be an early view of a new GoT episode.
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Since most torrent files contain copyrighted material, downloading them can result in legal repercussions. Therefore, it’s better to stick to legitimate services for watching GoT, such as HBO Now.
If the streaming service is geo-locked, it can easily be accessed on any device from anywhere in the world using PureVPN – they have easy-to-use apps available for all major platforms, including iOS and Android!
About PureVPN
PureVPN is a leading VPN service that was established with the aim of providing users with complete internet freedom. Founded back in 2007, it boasts 6,500+ servers in 180 locations worldwide and has an ever-growing community of over three million users. The Hong Kong-based VPN provider offers an extensive set of streaming-centric features, accessible through its dedicated apps, and enjoys a stellar reputation of being one of the fastest VPNs in the market.
