The Digital
Citizens Alliance (DCA) has launched a campaign with the help of
15 state Attorney Generals to warn consumers about the risk of malware on
piracy websites. According to a Variety article, many websites
bait consumers with stolen videos or music and then steal the consumers’
identifications and financial information.
The state Attorney
Generals participating in the campaign are:
IN: Curtis Hill
AZ: Marc Brnovich
KY: Andy Bashear
DC: Karl Racine
KS: Derek Schmidt
MT: Tim Fox
OR: Ellen
Rosenblum
CT: George Jepsen
SD: Marty Jackley
LA: Jeff Landry
ND: Wayne
Stenehjem
WI: Brad Schimel
ID: Lawrence
Wasden
NC: Josh Stein
HI: Doug Chin
A 2016 study by
RiskIQ
found that one out of three piracy websites exposes consumers to dangerous
malware. Moreover, 45% of malware from piracy websites is delivered through
so-called “drive-by downloads,” meaning malware invisibly downloads to the
consumer’s computer without requiring the consumer to click on a link. RiskIQ
estimated that piracy websites were making about $70 million a year from
allowing malware to be placed on their sites. When consumers expose themselves
to this type of vulnerability, hackers are able to steal personal information, steal
bank and credit card data, and even lock a consumer’s computer and demand a
ransom fee.
It is important
that DCA and a group of state Attorney Generals are now speaking out to warn
consumers of this dangerous criminal activity. The best way to reduce piracy is
to stop the cash flow. Educating consumers about the risks they assume should make
them think twice before visiting a piracy website, ultimately slowing the
growth of online piracy.
Online piracy is a
major problem in the United States and abroad, but voluntary campaigns can help
minimize piracy by informing consumers about the risks to them and the harm suffered
by artists and entrepreneurs from theft of intellectual property.
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