The recent FIFA World Cup brought out another round of bad actors capitalizing on the streaming demand of the popular games.

Instead of delivering a link to a legit way of watching, those who took the bait are sent to malicious sites that install malware on devices.

That's the trouble with linking to what appear to be free streams and downloads of movies, video and music sources.

Blind linking can lead to more danger for your device than you may realize.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, SECURITY ALERTS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

What is the risk of downloading movies illegally?

Criminals and hackers everywhere want to make it their mission to trick people into giving them their money, private information, or both. They do this with movies and popular online entertainment by providing downloadable links that look super convincing. People who end up clicking them usually think that they'll be able to consume what they want to watch at no cost.

HOW SCAMMERS ARE POSING AS YOUR CABLE AND INTERNET PROVIDERS

In reality, many of these links contain all kinds of malware that will give the hacker access to your information. And what's worse, hackers are working overtime to figure out ways for these downloadable files to sneak past any kind of antivirus software that may stop them in their tracks.

What will happen to my device?

The change in your device may not happen immediately when you try downloading these pirated films. But eventually, you may notice your device becoming much slower, random apps opening and closing without your knowledge, and even your battery draining quickly.

For example, back in 2021, ReasonLabs found a new form of malware disguising itself as a way to watch the latest SpiderMan film for free online while it was still in theaters. It was a malicious file containing cryptocurrency mining malware, which can steal your device's resources and hunt for online currencies.

SURPRISINGLY, THIS APP IS CAUSING NEARLY 50% OF MACOS MALWARE — DELETE NOW

When consumers would download this file, the code would exclude antivirus software to keep it from tracking any suspicious activity and would mine the cryptocurrency Monero (XMR). You can imagine how much of a headache this caused for anyone who thought they were just getting an opportunity to watch a new film for free.

 How can I protect my device from malicious files?

The most important and necessary way for you to protect your device from all types of malware is by installing solid antivirus software. Downloading antivirus software will allow you to scan any file on your computer for malware before you make the mistake of clicking on it.

See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by searching ‘Best Antivirus’ at CyberGuy.com.

Is there a website I can use to check if the file is malicious?

Yes, and it's called VirusTotal.com. This website is owned by Google and is able to scan links to files that could have malware. All you have to do is follow these steps:

Extra word of caution: If you're going to use VirusTotal.com, be sure to have your antivirus running in the background just in case you accidentally click that link.

For more of my security tips, head over to CyberGuy.com and be sure to sign up for my free newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website.

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

Some members of the liberal media are already trying to rehab disgraced "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried's image, and some critics suggest he believes he will never be held accountable for his alleged crimes.

On "The Five" Wednesday, Rachel Campos-Duffy pointed to what she called a New York Times "puff piece" bemoaning that Bankman-Fried's indictment and extradition may hurt the Bahamas, where he was apparently living and working, as the nation just off Florida's coast relies heavily on tourism and investment monies.

"If you steal billions of dollars from average Americans, you are not a celebrity. You are a criminal. And yet this guy is being treated like a celebrity. And I believe something is going on here," she said.

Campos-Duffy added that Bankman-Fried is acting as if he knows he is not really in trouble. Instead, he appears to feel he is being protected by powerful interests and individuals, she surmised.

BENEFICIARIES OF BANKMAN-FRIED'S ‘DIRTY MONEY’ SHOULD PAY IT BACK: PIRRO

"It could be that this guy is meant to create so much doubt in [unregulated] crypto, right -- that it would make it easier for our government to usher in the digital dollar, which, as you know, is a powerful tool to control people," Campos-Duffy added.

Digitizing U.S. legal tender from its physical bill and coin form allows the federal government to be one step closer to ushering in a Chinese Communist Party-style "social credit-score" system, she argued.

PLAINTIFF, ATTORNEY BEHIND FTX LAWSUIT SOUND OFF ON CRYPTO EMPIRE'S ‘FRAUD’: ‘HOUSE OF CARDS WAITING TO FALL’

"I believe we've already seen elements of that before."

"Five" co-host Richard Fowler later agreed Bankman-Fried should be behind bars and not under house arrest at his parents' estate, and that the government may have failed in its role of oversight and consumer protection.

"If you read this piece by The New York Times, what they talk about regarding the Bahamas specifically, it's important to give that some perspective," he said. "The Bahamas is a country that benefits off of tourism. So the idea that Sam Bankman-Fried was bringing in these folks that were spending millions of dollars in that country is the reason why [they] liked him."

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fowler further claimed the Bahamian government, unlike the U.S., heavily regulates cryptocurrency investing.

"So maybe we should copy and paste their crypto policy here and maybe Sam Bankman-Fried would not have been able to take it," he said.