Online Virus / Malware News

Just in case you are looking for websites to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches online, you will also find many questionable websites offering live football streams! Many of these sites will ask you to install software to get access to a P2P-based streaming network. Some of the common types of software offering such P2P-based streaming are Sopcast, TVU, Veetle, StreamTorrent, and many others.

If you use the SiteAdvisor Ttolbar you will quite quickly see that many of these sites are flagged as Red or Yellow–indicating potential risks such as malware infection, spyware, or other kinds of potentially unwanted programs. Please be careful when surfing and never download any software from websites with bad reputations. Use our SiteAdvisor technology. Another risk you may run into is being ripped off with a charge or even scammed into a multiyear membership. These costs can either be for the software download itself or for the streaming service, but users often get charged for both.

Sopcast or Veetle are actually freeware. They can be downloaded for free and without security risks directly from the vendors themselves or any major, reputable shareware site.

The next risk from using such services is the potential violations of Digital Right Managements laws. TV broadcasting companies have paid a lot of money for exclusive rights to broadcast all World Cup matches. Many of these P2P-based streaming services may in fact violate such rights, for example, as they stream the Chinese or Brazilian broadcasts to worldwide audiences.

The solution for all these problems is actually quite easy.

You don’t need the membership or download charge if you go to the valid websites for the software. Staying with the reputable sites will also keep you away from the possible risks of malware or spyware infections. Also, TV stations in countries like the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Brazil, or Canada stream all world cup games legally, for free and even in HD.

But the biggest risk of all: If you watch the World Cup in the office, make sure your boss has approved it. Otherwise you might find yourself with plenty of time to watch all games at home on your TV!