Beware of websites offering free streams or downloads of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or The Invisible Man because chances are, these websites are rife with malware, according to a study released on Tuesday (June 23) by cyber-security firm McAfee.
Cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine topped McAfee's list of the television shows most targeted by cyber criminals, while horror film The Invisible Man was No. 1 in the movie category.
The study found that movies that were released this year account for nine out of the top 10 movies identified as having a high risk of being targeted by cyber criminals.
McAfee says these illegal streaming websites often contain malware disguised as pirated video files.
Users who download these "videos" may end up being infected by the malware, which can steal personal information and passwords stored on the device.
The cyber-security firm warns that any device used to browse the Internet, like a computer, a mobile device or even an Android TV box, are potentially vulnerable to malicious software.
While retail stores and eateries have reopened recently in Singapore, cinemas are still closed and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
Thus, Singaporeans looking for their movie fix online need to be wary, lest they end up "downloading malware with their free content", warns McAfee.
"The circuit breaker period has seen a spike in online video consumption as Singaporeans shift to alternative entertainment platforms, creating the perfect storm for cybercrime," says Mr Shashwat Khandelwal, head of McAfee's South-east Asia consumer business.
Half of the top 10 television shows targeted by cyber criminals are original content produced by Netflix.
McAfee suggests the exclusivity of these shows means that non-subscribers to streaming services that have these shows ar ..
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