Two popular ‘dodgy' apps showing football games for free are BLOCKED on millions of Fire Sticks
TWO apps used to watch premium TV and football matches for free on Fire Sticks have been blocked, according to users.
The pair of apps provide links to hundreds of channels from across the world, ranging from movies to sports.
1
It's not clear why the two apps have been blocked
Credit: Alamy
They can't be downloaded from Amazon's own app store, instead people side-load them onto their Fire Stick and use a VPN to avoid detection.
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The two apps in question are Flix Vision and Live NetTV.
Users have started complaining on social media that the pair no longer work, suggesting Amazon may have blocked them.
It's not clear why at this stage.
Read more about streaming
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Amazon has been approached by The Sun for comment.
The tech giant has been increasingly accused of not doing enough to prevent illegal streaming.
Earlier this year, broadcasting firm Sky hit out at Amazon
Most read in Tech
Breaking
'If you speak to friends and colleagues, [or] you watch football, people will know that you can get jail-broken Fire Sticks, and you can access pirated services on Fire Sticks,' Nick Herm, chief operating officer at
Sky
said in March.
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Herm accused
Amazon
in particular of not doing "enough engagement to address some of those problems, where people are buying these devices in bulk".
He also believes that modified Fire Sticks "probably" make up "about half of the piracy" in the UK.
Amazon
has previously said
that it is "committed to providing customers with a high-quality streaming experience while actively promoting a streaming landscape that respects intellectual property rights and encourages the responsible consumption of content
".
Warning over 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks
Illegal streaming can be delivered by a number of devices by one of the most common are 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks, which means a third-party media server software has been installed on to it.
The software most commonly used is called Kodi.
It can grant users unrestricted access to new features and apps the normal version of the device wouldn't allow – but it is not legal to use in the UK.
But it becomes illegal when a box is used to stream subscription channels for free.
It is also illegal to buy or sell these modified devices which have become known as "fully-loaded" - a term that describes how the software has been altered to allow access to subscription-only channels.
'These devices are legal when used to watch legitimate, free to air, content,' the government said at the time.
'They become illegal once they are adapted to stream illicit content, for example TV programmes, films and subscription sports channels without paying the appropriate subscriptions.'
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The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Two popular ‘dodgy' apps showing football games for free are BLOCKED on millions of Fire Sticks
TWO apps used to watch premium TV and football matches for free on Fire Sticks have been blocked, according to users. The pair of apps provide links to hundreds of channels from across the world, ranging from movies to sports. 1 It's not clear why the two apps have been blocked Credit: Alamy They can't be downloaded from Amazon's own app store, instead people side-load them onto their Fire Stick and use a VPN to avoid detection. Advertisement The two apps in question are Flix Vision and Live NetTV. Users have started complaining on social media that the pair no longer work, suggesting Amazon may have blocked them. It's not clear why at this stage. Read more about streaming Advertisement Amazon has been approached by The Sun for comment. The tech giant has been increasingly accused of not doing enough to prevent illegal streaming. Earlier this year, broadcasting firm Sky hit out at Amazon Most read in Tech Breaking 'If you speak to friends and colleagues, [or] you watch football, people will know that you can get jail-broken Fire Sticks, and you can access pirated services on Fire Sticks,' Nick Herm, chief operating officer at Sky said in March. Advertisement Herm accused Amazon in particular of not doing "enough engagement to address some of those problems, where people are buying these devices in bulk". He also believes that modified Fire Sticks "probably" make up "about half of the piracy" in the UK. Amazon has previously said that it is "committed to providing customers with a high-quality streaming experience while actively promoting a streaming landscape that respects intellectual property rights and encourages the responsible consumption of content ". Warning over 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks Illegal streaming can be delivered by a number of devices by one of the most common are 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks, which means a third-party media server software has been installed on to it. The software most commonly used is called Kodi. It can grant users unrestricted access to new features and apps the normal version of the device wouldn't allow – but it is not legal to use in the UK. But it becomes illegal when a box is used to stream subscription channels for free. It is also illegal to buy or sell these modified devices which have become known as "fully-loaded" - a term that describes how the software has been altered to allow access to subscription-only channels. 'These devices are legal when used to watch legitimate, free to air, content,' the government said at the time. 'They become illegal once they are adapted to stream illicit content, for example TV programmes, films and subscription sports channels without paying the appropriate subscriptions.'
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Why your pics, texts and money are in danger after major ‘data leak' even if your info wasn't exposed
DON'T fall foul of a common scam after reports of a major online leak – even if you haven't had any private info exposed. Just last week, security experts said they'd uncovered as many as 3 Cyber-criminals will hope to take advantage of the news around a 'data leak' Credit: Alamy These reportedly included leaked logins – private usernames and passwords belonging to unsuspecting users. Security experts have debated over how "new" the info in the databases is – but one thing is certain: there's plenty of personal data circulating online. Chances are, at least some of your info will have been exposed over the years through a combination of breaches and leaks. But even if your data hasn't been exposed, this latest "database leak" still spells trouble for your online security, experts have told The Sun. Read more on scams That's because when there's news of a big "leak" like this, cybercriminals often target web users with related scams. Rik Ferguson, the VP of security intelligence at Forescout, told The Sun that this "opens the floodgates for scammers". "Honestly, it doesn't even matter that the data itself is mostly old, recycled, or even completely made up," Rik told The Sun. "The headline grabs attention, it spreads fast, and that's all the cybercriminals really need. Most read in Tech "What we'll see now, almost guaranteed, is a wave of social engineering, things like fake tech support calls, emails claiming your accounts are compromised, texts that urge you to click a link "right now" to secure or update something." He added: "Cybercriminals don't need fresh data; they just need fresh worry. This kind of news gives them a credible excuse to contact people out of the blue, sounding plausible and urgent. Deepfakes more 'sophisticated' and dangerous than ever as AI expert warns of six upgrades that let them trick your eyes "So, the best advice is to slow down, take a breath. Treat unsolicited contact (or scare stories from well-meaning friends on Facebook) with a solid dose of cynicism. "Your first response might be to react quickly, especially if the message is laced with urgency or fear. But that urgency is the oldest trick in the book. Scammers rely on pressure. "They want you anxious, flustered, or off balance. They want you to be doing, not thinking. If someone's telling you to act immediately, that's your cue to pause." For instance, you might see tech support scams or "infected computer" warnings. Criminals will be hoping that you're worried enough about the news of a leak that you might act without thinking – clicking on a dodgy link or calling a number because you're worried about your cybersecurity. For instance, after the Marks & Spencer "Stay vigilant for phishing messages pretending to be from M&S or other companies you've dealt with," said NCC Group threat intelligence head Matt Hull . A similar warning came from Check Point's Charlotte Wilson, who said: "We often see a spike in phishing emails, fake delivery texts and scam calls after breaches like this, particularly when order history or usernames are involved." 3 Crooks often use tech support scams to install dangerous apps on your device Credit: Alamy And the same advice is true for this latest news: it's a prime chance for crooks to trick concerned users into making a mistake. "Discoveries like this breach are a pertinent reminder of just how easy it is for sensitive data to be unintentionally exposed online," said Keeper Security chief Darren Guccione. He added: "When login data is left unprotected, it can provide fuel for phishing attacks, account takeovers and identity fraud." But some experts suggested there wasn't any major reason to panic. Brian Higgins, of Comparitech, told The Sun: 'The data referenced in the media is an amalgamation of several previously reported incidents. 'So it's reasonable to expect that any users affected should have been aware of the problem and taken action when the individual threats were first identified "The knee-jerk headlines may well fuel a slight uptick in activity from unscrupulous vendors or cyber criminal organisations. 'There's a possibility some may exploit the fact that the data has been collected in a single repository, for example. Still, since it's not a new breach and the facts are slowly becoming clearer, it's doubtful any major impact will ensue." HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF A TECH SUPPORT SCAM Tech support scams can work in several different ways. But they all have the same end goal: to scoop up your info, put dangerous "malware" on your devices, or steal your money . You might receive a message over text or email – or even a phone call – saying that your device has been compromised. DON'T PANIC – BUT ACT FAST Here's advice from The Sun's tech editor This is a massive breach of privacy – it's not the first, and it won't be the last. There's no surefire way for you to avoid being caught up in an attack like this, and you can't take back the info now it's out there. But what you can do is safeguard yourself against sinister crooks using this info against you. Step 1 The main fear here is that criminals have bagged a load of passwords. That's why you need to switch on two-factor authentication on every account that you have. Normally that's a login code that is sent to you via SMS text. They prevent crooks from logging into your account even if they know your password. Step 2 Even better, don't bother with SMS and use a proper authenticator – like the Google Authenticator, a free app that you can download right now. This generates the same kind of log-in code, but it's safer than SMS, which is an old and more easily-hacked system. Step 3 Also, make absolutely sure that you're not re-using passwords anywhere. If crooks have one password and you've re-used it, they now have access to several of your accounts. Use a password manager like your iPhone's iCloud Keychain or the Google Password Manager. They will generate strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts – and then remember them so you don't have to. Picture Credit: Sean Keach And you'll be asked to hand over a log in, install some kind of security software, or making a tech support payment. Depending on what you hand over, you could find your online accounts broken into, your bank balance wiped out, or your computer spied on. Once a crook breaks into your accounts or device, they can potentially spy on your texts or photos, make purchases, and so much more – so not falling for scams is extremely important. Never hand over any info or money to someone who has contacted you out of the blue. If they're claiming that they're from a reputable organisation – like or Apple – then you'll want to contact the company directly using the number on their official website. Don't use any contact info that you've been sent by a stranger, as it's easily faked. "Whether it's an email that looks like it's from your bank, a text pretending to be your delivery service, or a call claiming to be tech support, the smart move is always the same, don't respond directly, go to the source," Rik told The Sun. "Log in via the official website, not a link you received out of the blue. Call the company back on a number you already know or can find on their website. "Or just check in with someone you trust, a quick gut-check with a colleague or friend can save you a whole world of pain." If someone is rushing you into making a decision, especially when private info or money is involved, then that's a major red flag that something is amiss. Reputable cybersecurity and tech companies won't just text you out of the blue to tell you that you've been hacked and need to pay a fee. And if they're asking you to click a link to install an app on your machine, that's a clear warning sign that they're trying to compromise your device. If you ever install any cybersecurity software, do so by going to the official website of a reputable company. Don't install anything sent to you by a stranger – it's dangerous. HOW TO SEE IF YOU'VE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN A LEAK If you're worried that you've been caught up in a breach, there's an easy way to check. Go to the website HaveIBeenPwned This website tracks lists of leaks and breaches over the years. 3 The HaveIBeenPwned website can reveal if your email address has been caught up in a data leak Credit: HaveIBeenPwned / The Sun And you can enter your email address to see if it's been caught up in any. You'll be able to see the exact leak that your email was exposed in, as well as any linked data – like an address, phone number, or password. The website will also send you alerts when your email address is found in another leak or breach. That way, you can quickly react and change your password, add two-factor authentication (like a text code) for logging in, and locking down your accounts. EXPERT VIEW – THE SECURITY ADVICE Here's what Rik Ferguson, VP of security intelligence at Forescout, told The Sun... "For what it's worth, anyone is a potential victim, even me after 30 years in the business, so don't beat yourself up," Rik said. "Last year I fell for a coincidentally well-timed SMS phishing message and gave away my Netflix password before I stopped to think. "What saved me? I use a password manager, so every website has a different, unique password. "That slip didn't snowball into something worse." He gave The Sun the following advice: Don't reuse passwords. Use a unique one for every website. Built-in or third-party password managers can help. Writing them down at home is also fine, just keep the list secure. Stronger beats newer. A long, randomly generated password is better than changing a weak one regularly. Don't click unknown links. If you weren't expecting it, ignore it. Go directly to the official website or make a call instead. Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible, it's simple and effective. Warn others. Talk to friends and family. Scams spread faster when people don't know what to look for. Picture Credit: Forescout
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I received a FREE £15 Prime Day voucher from Amazon just for downloading an app – it took less than 30 seconds
AMAZON is giving out free £15 vouchers to spend during Prime Day allowing Brits to save even more money. And all you have to do is complete a 30 second task to instantly receive yours. 2 Prime Day is just over a couple of weeks away now Credit: Getty 2 Little-known app can help you save even more Credit: Getty I received an email from Amazon alerting me about the offer, so be sure to check your inbox as not all The hugely popular This year it's been extended to four days for the first time, running until July 11. Bargain shoppers have been told to expect discounts for top brands including Bose, De' Longhi, Dyson , Lego, Shark, CeraVe, Ninja, and Sonos for 2025's Prime Day bonanza. Read more about Amazon But a little-known trick can help you trim even more off the final cost. And all you need to do is download Amazon's free Photos app and upload at least one picture. Amazon Photos is an often forgotten perk that comes with your Prime subscription. It provides you with unlimited photo back-up storage, so you can effectively avoid paying for Most read in Tech However, the £15 free credit offer is only for customers who have never uploaded to Amazon Photos before. "Get a £15 Amazon credit for Prime Day when you start backing up your photos with Amazon Photos," the email reads. Amazon Prime Gaming Freebies: Top Games to Claim in June 2025 "Take advantage of all your Prime benefits. Prime members get free, unlimited, full-resolution photo storage and 5 GB for video. "Start uploading your photos today for limitless peace of mind. Offer valid through July 14." The offer only applies to customers who received a dedicated email or who have been shown a banner ad to promote the offer and clicked on the banner advertisement. To check if you're eligible, you can visit HOW I GOT AMAZON PRIME FOR £1 By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun If you're not a Prime subscriber and you've exhausted those free trials, there are other ways to avoid paying the £8.99 monthly fee. Network providers routinely offer discounts on it. So, Vodafone's VeryMe perks allowed me to Other networks like O2 let you redeem Extras when signing up, which includes free Amazon Prime for six months too. You can also It's also important to point out that the £15 credit can only be used on items sold by Amazon. So, purchases made from Amazon's Warehouse Deals or from third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace - even if "fulfilled by Amazon" or "Prime Eligible" - are not included. And you'll need to spend a minimum of £30 for the credit to work. All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase. COMMON PRIME DAY MISTAKES Katy Phillips, senior brand and communication manager at idealo shares with Sun readers three common Prime Day mistakes 1. Buying something just because its discounted An obvious rule that is often forgotten about is only buying something you actually need. Over half (59%) of those polled by idealo admitted that they ended up with a product they didn't want after Prime Day last year. Just because things are on sale, doesn't mean you need to buy it! Keep a strict list if there are things you need. Nearly everything on the website will be marked as a 'prime day deal' regardless of whether the price has changed. 2. Not doing your research A whopping 80% of Brits say they never price compare when shopping sale events but experts are urging everyone to spend more researching products before making a purchase. Before you buy anything on Prime Day, make sure you compare prices elsewhere. Look on price comparison websites to see if it's cheaper elsewhere and utilise price alerts where possible. These will send you notifications each time a product reaches its lowest price. 3. Not recognising scams Each year a new scam will arrive just in time for Prime Day, ready to catch shoppers out. A common one includes hoax emails from the Amazon 'Support Team' were a new tactic used by criminals to steal people's personal information. If you see any emails or offers boasting £50 free to spend on Prime Day - they won't be real. Make sure you're on the real Amazon website also, as there may be links that take you to a site that looks similar to Amazon but isn't the real thing. Image credit: Getty
