An expert hacker has spoken out to issue a warning to boxing fans planning to illegally stream the highly-anticipated bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
After their first meeting ended in a split decision, Usyk and Fury are set to meet each other in the boxing ring once again to determine who the best heavyweight boxer in the world is once and for all.
The rematch will see British boxer Fury hope to reclaim the WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles, having lost them to the Ukrainian during the first fight in May.
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However, fans that plan to stream the fight through an illegal platform have been warned by an expert of the risks of doing so.
Live sport is one of the most pirated content in the world as IPTV [Internet Protocol television] and streaming websites offer premium content either for free or at a massively reduced cost.
But one of the UK's top professional hackers, Jenny Radcliffe, teamed up with BeStreamWise to warn people who illegally stream content of the danger of doing so.
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Speaking to LADbible group last year, Radcliffe said: “The perception that illegal streaming is a victimless crime is completely inaccurate. The sites that host these services are loaded with malicious links, back doors and tricks to access people’s digital and financial information, giving professional criminals an open invitation to steal from anyone who engages in these activities.
"Whether it's multiple charges to credit cards, installing malware on devices, accessing bank accounts, or stealing personal information such as emails, messages, contacts, photographs, documents and browsing history, engaging in illegal streaming makes you a prime target for professional fraudsters.
"And what is worse, because these activities are illegal, victims may have little or no recourse for recovering their losses and may even face criminal charges themselves."
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Speaking ahead of this weekend's huge heavyweight fight, Kieron Sharp, CEO of BeStreamWise partner FACT, also warned boxing fans looking to illegally stream the bout.
“Choosing to bypass official channels to watch the highly anticipated Fury vs. Usyk fight this Saturday isn’t just risky—it’s illegal and can expose you to serious dangers," said Sharp.
"Illegal streaming puts consumers at risk of malware, financial theft, and the compromise of personal data, such as emails, photos, and browsing history. During events of high viewership, fraudsters are targeting unsuspecting viewers."
"BeStreamWise is dedicated to raising awareness about the significant dangers of illegal streaming, educating on the facts, and ensuring consumers know where to safely watch the content they love. Boxing fans should enjoy the fight offered by official providers, rather than facing the risks of being a target to criminal operations."
Topics: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Boxing
Ben McCrum