The Digital Citizens Alliance Executive Director Tom Galvin has issued a statement after TVAddons reported there is a “‘99.99%” chance” that the millions of consumers using jailbroken Apple TV 2 devices to stream content are, “at risk of having their Kodi box used to send spam, DDoS attacks, distribute malware or even something as disgusting as child pornography.”
“For years now we have seen cyber criminals using stolen content as the digital bait to infect consumers with malware and take over their devices. What’s alarming is that these old dogs are quick to learn new tricks,” Galvin says. “As Digital Citizens warned earlier this year, streaming devices, like the one at risk in this report, are quickly becoming the preferred way for bad actors to get at users’ personal information and invade their privacy. At the same time, they hijack the good name of the world’s most valuable brand.”
A Kodi Box, advertised for its plug and play capability, is essentially a set-top box or a HDMI stick with the software installed on it. It allows folks to stream shows and watch them on any platform including a computer, smartphone, tablet or set-top box. However, some boxes are being modified to access paid content channels using third-party plug-ins, illegally allowing people to watch the shows without paying.
Consumers need to protect themselves by purchasing licensed, reputable devices, changing default passwords, and making all software updates as soon as possible. At the same, it is important that law enforcement and policymakers take note of this growing threat and prepare to take the necessary action to protect our homes and communities.”
The Digital Citizens Alliance is a coalition of consumers, businesses, and Internet experts focused on “educating the public and policymakers on the threats people from all walks of life face on the Internet.”
