According to the study “Consumer Risk from Piracy in Poland”, Polish consumers visiting pirate websites are nearly 40 times more exposed to cyber threats compared to using legal sources of information.
This is the first study to provide such a detailed description of the scale of cyber threats closely linked to the use of pirate services in Poland.
The study analyzes the risks for consumers in Poland associated with visiting pirate websites, including illegal streaming services and peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. It shows that Polish consumers face significantly higher cyber risks from pirate sites compared to a control group of mainstream services. Additionally, according to Poland’s Cyber Defense Forces, the country experiences one of the highest numbers of cyberattacks in the world.
Digital piracy has far-reaching social consequences, leading to the erosion of intellectual property rights, affecting employment, reducing content quality and diversity, and carrying legal consequences. From an economic perspective, it results in revenue losses for creators, reduced investment in innovation, negative impacts on the industry, increased cybersecurity costs, and effects on international trade relations.
Consumer risks related to digital piracy—particularly in terms of cybersecurity—include threats such as malware and viruses, identity theft, data breaches, legal consequences, privacy violations, and financial losses. Pirate websites often contain hidden malware or viruses, posing a risk to users who may unknowingly infect their devices. This, in turn, can lead to serious threats, including:
– Theft of personal data and identity fraud
– Unauthorized access to bank accounts
– Financial scams
– Software damage
– Loss of user data
– Unauthorized control over users’ IT systems
In recent years, Poland has experienced a significant digital transformation. Increased digitization and the adoption of technology in various aspects of daily life have made consumers more dependent on digital services, creating more opportunities for cybercriminals. The findings of this study highlight the extremely high risk of encountering cyber threats when using pirate websites in Poland. In the worst-case scenario, a consumer visiting the 30 most popular P2P pirate sites could face up to 77 cyber threats.
The study explores possible solutions to mitigate these risks and enhance the security of Polish consumers online.
We invite you to read the full “Consumer Risk from Piracy in Poland” report by Paul A. Watters, PhD, which details the study’s methodology and key findings regarding the risks associated with pirate services. Dr. Watters is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at La Trobe University (Melbourne) and an Honorary Professor of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University (Sydney).