As anticipation builds for the Academy Awards, Kaspersky is alerting movie enthusiasts about a growing wave of fraudulent streaming scams designed to steal personal and financial data. Cybercriminals are exploiting the excitement around Oscar-nominated films, using fake streaming offers as bait to trick unsuspecting users.
These scams promise free access to critically acclaimed films such as Wicked, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Emilia Perez, among others. Once users click the link, they are either redirected to fraudulent pages or prompted to register for a “free trial”, requiring personal details and bank card information. Victims risk financial loss, data theft, and unwanted costly subscriptions.
Olga Svistunova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky, warned that these scams mimic legitimate streaming platforms to deceive users. She emphasized the importance of verifying streaming sources and avoiding suspicious links, stating, “No award-winning film is worth the cost of a compromised identity.”
How to Stay Safe from Streaming Scams
Verify official release dates for movies in cinemas, streaming services, and physical media.
Check website authenticity before entering personal data and ensure you’re using official platforms.
Use cybersecurity solutions like Kaspersky Premium to detect phishing sites and malicious attachments.
Avoid suspicious links promising early access to movies and verify content legitimacy with official providers.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global leader in cybersecurity, protecting over a billion devices since its founding in 1997. The company provides advanced threat intelligence, cybersecurity solutions, and digital privacy protection for consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide.
With a portfolio of endpoint security, cyber immune solutions, and specialized security services, Kaspersky helps over 200,000 corporate clients defend against evolving digital threats. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
