Your Business Data Could be at Risk From Illegal Streaming Via Work Phones

Some interesting findings here, with work phones being a gateway for hackers;

New research shows employees could be putting sensitive business data at risk by using work phones and devices to access illegal streaming services, with large numbers suffering malware infections and phishing attempts.

A study by BeStreamWise, a cross-industry initiative which raises awareness of the dangers of illegal streaming, reveals that seven in ten (68%) people who pirate sports, TV shows and films are doing so on company smartphones.

The trend is particularly common among Gen Z workers. Among illegal streamers aged 18-24, 71% say they have used a work smartphone to access content from unofficial sources, compared to 62% from the 45-54 age bracket.

Concerningly for business leaders, more than half (56%) of people who stream illegally on work smartphones say their device has been infected with malware in the past 12 months – more than three times the average national rate (18%). More than a quarter (27%) say they have experienced malware infections multiple times during the past year.

Meanwhile, one in five (20%) illegal streamers who use work devices say they’ve been on the receiving end of phishing attempts, with spurious requests for passwords and account login data, compared to 8% of illegal streamers overall.

The research also suggests that awareness of the cyber risks associated with illegal streaming remains relatively low among those using work devices for this activity. Only a third (34%) were aware that illegal streaming sites can infect devices with malware, compared with 42% of the public overall.

Government figures show that phishing attacks are the most prevalent type of cyber breach that UK businesses face, affecting 38% of companies. Meanwhile, the average cost of a significant cyber-attack is £195,000 for each business impacted.

James Bore, an independent cyber security expert, commented: “These findings will be a huge concern for business leaders who are looking to keep their networks and data safe. Illegal streaming sites and apps sit outside the security checks that legitimate platforms go through, and that means the risk of running into malware is much higher.  

“Installing unauthorised software on work devices carries all of the same risks as on personal devices, particularly if companies haven’t got up-to-date antivirus software installed. Malware can be an entry point into company networks where sensitive commercial and financial information is stored.”