Football fans gearing up for the UEFA Champions League final on June 10 have been warned about the potential dangers of streaming the game online.
Cybersecurity firm, Avast, recently released alarming data revealing a substantial increase in cyberattacks targeting fans on match days, particularly around kickoff times.
If you are searching for free streaming options to watch the game, you might be putting yourself at risk of cyberattacks.
According to Avast, searching for phrases like ‘Stream Inter Milan vs. Manchester City for Free’ will most likely lead users to malware-infested websites disguised as video streams.
In some cases, fans will be prompted to download a ‘required’ video software, which ultimately turns out to be malware, exposing their devices to compromise without actually gaining access to the stream.
Additionally, users may unknowingly divulge personal information, making them susceptible to identity theft and other forms of fraud.
A striking increase in blocked URL attacks throughout the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League season was observed by Avast’s research team.
They analysed blocked URLs within five major European football countries, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Not only did the number of blocked URL attacks surge significantly on match days compared to non-match days, but these spikes coincided with the kickoff times of matches.
Globally, the data revealed a 45% increase in attacks during Champions League matches.
When examining the data at the country level, Spain emerged as the highest-risk market, experiencing a staggering 154% increase in attacks during matches.
The rankings of markets, from safest to riskiest, based on the increase in blocked URL attacks on match days versus non-match days, are Germany (35%), United Kingdom (39%), Italy (67%), France (93%), and Spain (154%).
Tips to watch the Champions League final safely:
- Choose an authorized viewing method, even if it means paying. Watching on official sites is the only way to ensure you are safe online. If paying to stream isn’t an option, local restaurants and pubs often show the game live.
- Think before you click. If you start to see suspicious content and popups, make sure not to click any links.
- Always use security software. The right software will help block the dangerous popups and sites before they can cause serious harm.
‘Cybercriminals seize upon human emotions, and the desire to watch one’s favorite team in the Champions League is undoubtedly powerful,’ said David Jursa, Malware Analysis Lead for Avast, explaining the psychology behind cybercriminal tactics.
‘Unfortunately, criminals often exploit this by luring fans with promises of free streaming, utilizing deceptive tactics such as popup ads, phishing sites, malvertising, and other scams to gain access to personal data and devices.’
In light of the risks associated with streaming matches, experts stress the importance of prioritizing digital security.
Users are strongly advised to rely on reputable streaming platforms and exercise caution when encountering suspicious links or download requests.
Multiple popup ads during streaming could also serve as gateways to phishing attempts and malvertising.
While legitimate free streaming links might exist, these are typically buried deep within search results.
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