Game of Thrones Final Season: A Cybersecurity Nightmare?

The Popularity of Game of Thrones and Cyber Threats

As fans eagerly await the final season of Game of Thrones, cybersecurity experts are warning of potential cyber threats. The show's immense popularity has made illegal download sites, where users can view episodes without subscriptions, a popular distribution point for malware. In 2018, Game of Thrones accounted for 17 percent of all infected pirated content, according to Kaspersky Labs, even though no new episodes aired that year. This suggests that the coming premiere could be the most dangerous time to be downloading torrents.

Types of Cyber Attacks and Their Prevalence

According to Kaspersky, the most popular kind of attack via pirated content was a trojan, a piece of software that is installed on a computer and allows the hacker to take control of that device. The good news is that, overall, the prevalence of TV show-related malware has been declining. In 2018, the total number of users who encountered this kind of malware was 126,340, a third less than it was the year before. The number of total attempts dropped by 22 percent, to 451,636. Kaspersky said that drop was in line with a reduction in the number of security threats across the internet. But it might also be linked to a drop in the number of people using torrents, as interest in the technology declines.

Recommendations for Safeguarding Against Cyber Threats

To safeguard against cyber threats, it is recommended to avoid illegal download sites and use legitimate streaming services. Additionally, users should ensure their antivirus software is up-to-date and consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect their online activities. By taking these precautions, fans can enjoy the final season of Game of Thrones without falling victim to cyber criminals.