Ads to “Watch free movies”, “Download the latest blockbusters for free”, or “Stream new releases for free” can be found all over the Internet, on mobile apps, and on social media. The appeal to click and watch may be tempting, but doing so could end up costing you. There are countless apps and file sharing websites offering free downloads and streaming movies, television shows, sports events, music, and games. What they don’t tell you is that downloading the content can cause your computer or device to become infected with malware.
Malware is software that can damage or disable your computer, device, or other systems. This malicious software can shut down your system, take over your device, steal your personal information, and place you in a cyber nightmare. Cybercriminals use malware to steal your financial information and identification and also can bombard you with unwanted ads. Some of these sites also ask for your credit card number to process registration. Doing so can again open you up to cybercriminals that can easily use the information to steal from you.
While the invitation to watch free content may be appealing, it is illegal. If you are caught copying, distributing, or in possession of copyrighted material without permission, you can face both civil and criminal action. The U.S. Copyright Law states the crime can be punishable by up to five years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and you may be held responsible for damages or loss of profits.
With identity theft being one of the fastest growing problems nationwide, and as cyber crooks become more savvy, it becomes even that much more difficult to avoid falling victim to their attacks. Don’t expose yourself by downloading illegal content. There are several streaming services, online websites, and other sources that allow you to watch content legally. The Motion Picture Association of America has a list of places to get movies and TV shows.
What avenue do you use to watch your home entertainment? Let us know. And don’t forget to follow Business Consumer Alliance on Facebook and Twitter for informative content, scam watch information, and consumer tips.
About Business Consumer Alliance
Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) is a non-profit company that started in 1928. The broad purpose of BCA is to promote business self-regulation. BCA's mission is achieved by assisting consumers in resolving complaints with businesses and using that complaint information, along with other relevant information such as customer reviews, to forecast business reliability. With community support, BCA can identify trustworthy and ethical businesses and warn the public to avoid unscrupulous businesses whose purpose is to defraud the marketplace. BCA also helps businesses promote themselves by providing services and tools to protect their business and reach out to their customers. BCA obtains its funding from member businesses who support the mission and purpose of the organization and who agree to abide by high standards of ethical business practices.