Illegal streaming on work phones “creates cyber security risk” for UK businesses

Posted to News on Sunday, August 16, 2026 Share:

NEW RESEARCH shows that employees could be putting sensitive business data at risk by using work phones and devices to access illegal streaming services, with large numbers suffering malware infections and phishing attempts as a direct result.

The study by BeStreamWise, a cross-industry initiative which raises awareness of the dangers of illegal streaming, reveals that seven in every ten (68%) of those who ‘pirate’ sports, TV shows and films are doing so on company smart phones.

The trend is particularly common among Gen Z workers. Among illegal streamers aged from 18 to 24, 71% say they’ve used a work smart phone to access content from unofficial sources compared to 62% from the 45-to-54 age bracket.

Concerningly for business leaders, more than half (56%, in fact) of individuals who stream illegally on work smart phones state that their device has been infected with malware in the past 12 months. That’s more than three times the average national rate (18%). More than one quarter (27%) affirm that they’ve experienced malware infections multiple times during the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, one in every five (20%) illegal streamers who use work devices say they’ve been on the receiving end of phishing attempts, with spurious requests for passwords and account login data, compared to 8% of illegal streamers overall.

Awareness of cyber risks

The research also suggests that awareness of the cyber risks associated with illegal streaming remains relatively low among those using work devices for this activity. Only 34% of survey respondents were aware that illegal streaming sites can infect devices with malware, compared with 42% of the public overall.

Government figures show that phishing attacks are the most prevalent type of cyber breach facing UK businesses, affecting circa 38% of companies. Meanwhile, the average cost of a significant cyber attack is £195,000 for each business impacted.

Independent cyber security expert James Bore commented: “These findings will be a huge concern for business leaders who are looking to keep their networks and data safe. Illegal streaming sites and apps sit outside of the security checks that legitimate platforms go through. As such, that means the risk of running into malware is much higher.”

Bore added: “Installing unauthorised software on work devices carries all of the same risks as on personal devices, particularly so if companies don’t have up-to-date anti-virus software installed. Malware can be an entry point into company networks where sensitive commercial and financial information is stored.”

*Further information is available online at www.bestreamwise.com