REPORT
OFFSIDES
How Criminals are Exploiting the COPA do Brasil to Spread Malware Via Piracy Sites
In early November, tens of millions of futebol fans in Brazil and around the world will tune in to watch the Copa do Brasil finals. But what many of these fans may not realize is that criminals are counting on them to watch these matches via unauthorized piracy devices – so they can infect their computers.
Fans who watch the Copa do Brasil on their mobile devices using a piracy site or app are especially vulnerable, according to the findings of the investigation, which was conducted by the Digital Citizens Alliance, White Bullet, and Unit 221B. The investigation found that bad actors in Brazil are increasingly targeting mobile devices as a means of spreading malware.
Combatting the Overseas Digital Piracy Threat
Over 50 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have adopted forms of site-blocking.
How site-blocking works: A judge would decide whether blocking an overseas website operated by criminals would be justified. If the judge agrees, then the court would order ISPs to block the site.
