‘Dodgy box’ users have been issued an important security warning that could have major consequences.
Brits up and down the country are using the illegal streaming box to watch their favourite shows, films, and live sporting events.
Whether it’s a box or a modified Amazon Fire stick, we all probably know someone who has used one in the past.
“Android-powered set-top TV boxes are hugely popular at the moment, particularly as they are relatively inexpensive and can be customised to viewer’s requirements,” Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, told The Sun.
“Much to the anger of streaming companies, they are often corrupted to become ‘dodgy boxes’ that allow users to access multiple services for free.
“Little do Brits know the security implications of having one of these, let alone the legal issues that could follow.”
Viewers don’t realise that because their dodgy box is ‘jailbroken’, its basically means that third-party media server software is installed on it.
And cyber criminals find it a lot easier to target jailbroken streaming gadgets through your Wi-Fi.
This includes the other electronic devices, like your phone or laptop, that run on the same network.
Your passwords, financial data and personal information are all at risk of being hacked.
“As well as harvesting users’ personal data this software, once enabled, means the box can also connect with a wider network of bots and be used by cybercriminals to gain revenue by mining cryptocurrency or clicking on ads,” Briedis added.
“Devices such as computers and phones will always be more coveted by cybercriminals looking to steal your personal data, as they contain the most amount of information about the user.
A security head has warned of the number of ‘legal issues that could follow’ (Getty Stock Images)
“They contain access to your mobile and internet banking, identification details, contacts, email and messaging history, even notes apps that may contain passwords and hastily scrawled pin numbers.
“The trouble is that most people are now aware of the dangers of criminals accessing our mobile phones and PCs and have layers of security to minimise the risks of being hacked.
“Something like your TV, your Wi-Fi or your smart home devices are much less likely to have any protections and can be an easy entry point for cyber crooks.”
This comes after a fresh IPTV warning that’s been issued by authorities, with a threat to ‘automatically fine you £4,200’.
Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Serie A, Italy’s premier football division, has spoke about the idea of implementing ‘automatic €5,000 fines’.
In a recent YouTube broadcast he said that ‘every illegal use of video content leaves an indelible digital Ariadne’s thread that will allow law enforcement to prosecute pirates’.
“No one can think of continuing to steal content illegally and get away with it,” he added.
Once you get used to the idea of poking something in your eye, wearing a mini magnifying glass over each pupil sounds infinitely better than having a pair of glasses perched onto your nose, right.
However we regret to inform you that wearing contact lenses in certain situations could cause serious damage to your eyes – with one doctor pointing out the dangerous side effect on social media as he branded it ‘one of the worst things you can get in your eye’.
Taking to TikTok, Dr. Joe, M.D made a grim video showing what can happen to your eyes if you wear your lenses in certain situations.
Wearing contact lenses in certain situations can lead to gnarly eye infections. (Getty Stock Images)
Sharing a series of images of a woman whose eye is bright red and swollen with a white dot in the centre, Dr. Joe explained this was due to a severe eye infection called acanthamoeba keratitis.
What is Acanthamoeba Keratitis?
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious eye condition which is caused by microscopic organism known as scanthamoeba.
The parasite is commonly found in water which hasn’t been ‘distilled or boiled’ (which can be anything from lakes to tap water) and causes infection when a contact lens comes into contact with the water.
The condition can lead to devastating side effects such as severe pain and vision loss.
Research from Moorfield Eye Hospital states that while acanthamoeba doesn’t generally cause harm to humans, it can cause a serious infection should they be exposed to the cornea.
Symptoms often start with an itching sensation in the eye before developing into eye pain, redness and blurred vision.
When should you avoid wearing contact lenses?
Dr. Joe urges viewers not to get in the shower, go swimming or use a hot tub with their contacts in.
“PSA if you wear contacts never shower, swim or hot tub with them in,” he began.
Explaining why it’s ‘crucial’ to never expose your eyes to such a parasite, he continued: “This tiny organism can latch on to the micro fissures [tears] in your eye caused by the contacts and burrow into your cornea.
“The treatment is intense and the recovery process is often long and painful.”
However viewers were left frustrated with Dr. Joe’s post, with many pointing out that they specifically use contact lens in these situations.
A major warning has been issued over an Amazon product that could set on fire.
And in arguable a turn of events, you could end up electrocuted by it at the same time. Not fun at all.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) put out the warning this month with a risk level of ‘serious’. It is the highest categorisation possible within the OPSS which forms part of the Department for Business and Trade.
It’s main job? To regulate all consumer products in the United Kingdom with safety being paramount, but it doesn’t look at food, medicines, and vehicles.
Unfortunately, one Amazon product has been flagged for major faults related to fire and electrocution.
Due to a fault in earthing the device, metal parts could carry a live current and hurt whoever was holding it. The power cord was also at risk of catching fire due to a fault.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards says: “The product presents a serious risk of fire as the supply cord was of the incorrect type and cross-sectional area.
“The product was also deemed to have inadequate earthing as the clamping means was not adequately secured against accidental loosening and the contact surfaces were not bare metal.
Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
“Under fault conditions this could result in accessible metal parts becoming live, causing the user to receive an electric shock.
“The instructions were deemed inadequate and some of the required documentation and markings were not present.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs & Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.”
The product is the 30W LED Flood Light, PIR-30W-6500K sold via Amazon. It’s imported from China.
For those who think they might have it, it is a 30W black, rectangular LED floodlight supplied with a small white remote. It will also have been packaged in a brown cardboard box.
OPSS
You can identify if you have the dodgy model in the four following ways:
- Model: PIR-30W-6500K
- SKU: LE-21-30W
- Amazon ASIN: B0CCNS9YP1
- Amazon identifier: FBA15HLN0VBKU000008
Thankfully, future imports of the product are being stopped, with UK customs rejecting it at the border and all importation of future products stopped by sellers.
OPSS
The issue was brought to the attention of the Office for Product Safety and Standards by council trading standards who have clocked the issue at a local authority level.
It’s not the only product to be recalled in recent days, with a popular air fryer brand recalled over fire worries.
Don’t worry though, there’s a fairly simple way to check if yours is impacted.
Featured Image Credit: Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty
Brits have been issued a warning as a major airport has had to cancel flights this morning (23 June).
Manchester Airport experienced a major power cut earlier today and it’s caused ‘widespread disruption’.
And because of that, in an absolute nightmare for many people hoping to get off on holiday today, a ‘significant number’ of flights from Terminals 1 and 2 are expected to be delayed and more likely, cancelled.
The UK airport is advising passengers to contact their airlines as the most recent update gave instructions.
Those due to fly from Terminal 3 are to go to the airport ‘as normal’ unless their airline gives other advice. But even then, they could be affected by delays too.
The airport also warns that while it is working to get those already there onto flights, there may be ‘some instances’ where baggage may not be on the planes.
For those set to arrive at Manchester Airport this morning while all this is kicking off, the airport says: “A number of arriving flights are being diverted to other airports so anyone due to pick passengers up from the airport are advised to check before they travel.”
Passengers arriving at the airport this morning wrote on X: ” Got there at 4.15am. Stood outside terminal for over 4 hours before flight and holiday was cancelled. Genuine shambles of a gaff.”
Another wrote they had ‘not a clue what’s going to happen’ as videos show crowds of people waiting around the airport.
Others shared videos after landing at the airport, showing chaotic-looking scenes as passengers scrambled for their baggage.
And a passenger simply described it as ‘utter chaos’ as many described it as the ‘worst airport’.
easyJet, which operates flights from terminal one, said there are ‘very long queues’ for security and disruption to hold bag processing, meaning passengers can only board flights with cabin luggage.
A large number of flights are affected. (Getty Stock Image)
It said: “Although outside of our control, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced as a result. We are doing all we can and working closely with the airport team to minimise the disruption.”
“Power has been restored and we are working to get those passengers already at the airport onto flights as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
“Our customer service and resilience teams are working hard to keep passengers in the airport updated, along with our airline colleagues.
Whether it’s ‘phubbing’ your partner or not cleaning it regularly enough – most of us are guilty of having some pretty bad habits when it comes to our phones.
But using a damaged cable can be seriously bad news for your phone, and could even cause a fire or give you a nasty electric shock.
A warning from Apple about iPhones reads: “Using damaged cables or chargers, or charging when moisture is present, can cause fire, electric shock, injury, or damage to iPhone or other property.”
Samsung has a similar warning for its customers, with its website saying: “If you notice any issues such as cracks or exposed wires, immediately stop using the cable.”
So if your charger cable has seen better days then maybe pop one on your Christmas list rather than potentially ruining your phone – or worse.
Apple also warns against charging your phone in the bed with you overnight.
The tech giant said: “Don’t cover your phone with anything while it’s charging and don’t charge the device in bed.
Pexels/Karolina Grabowska
“Take special care if you have a physical condition that affects your ability to detect heat against the body.”
Jason Cohen from PC Mag attested to this earlier this year, admitting: “Years ago, I woke up one morning to find my phone underneath my body and burning my bare chest.
“Not only did it burn my body, but it burned itself out and stopped working.”
