Pirate Sites Rely on Hosting, Content Delivery Sites to Peddle Malware, Study Finds

Overseas content theft or pirate websites, which expose consumers to malware and other serious risks potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss and ransomware, rely on legitimate North American companies to operate, said a Digital Citizens Alliance study released Wednesday. In collaboration with cybersecurity firm RiskIQ, the study further examined research done in December that found consumers are 28 times more likely to be exposed to malware on content theft sites, which lure users seeking free movies, TV shows and music. The study said hosting and content delivery network companies aren't doing anything illegal and compared them to a landlord renting to a drug dealer who does business from an apartment. "But just like that landlord, more often than not these companies either look the other way or just don't want to know," the study said. It added such companies are contributing to the threat of computer infections and other consumer risks. “Given that our research shows that 12 million Americans are exposed to malware through content theft websites, we are approaching a cyber epidemic that poses serious concerns about the long-term security of Americans’ computers,” said Digital Citizens Executive Director Tom Galvin in a news release. The study said government authorities can ask hosting and content delivery companies whether they "knowingly" help such pirate sites. Agencies like the FTC or state attorneys general can help raise consumer awareness about visiting pirate sites, it said. The group's advisory board includes employees of a national union, Association for Competitive Technology, i-Safe and National Consumers League, its website said.