The Spanish Guardia Civil issued an alert on social media about pirate IPTV applications that allow watching football for free but may put users' bank accounts at risk. The warning, reported by the Spanish newspaper AS, states that these applications, when downloaded from unofficial sources, may contain hidden malicious software that runs in the background on the device.
According to the Spanish authority, the malware can display a fake screen over the bank application, causing the victim to think they are accessing their account normally and enter their password, inadvertently handing over their data to criminals. This deception is particularly effective because it appears precisely at the moment when the person is trying to use the banking service.
The alert also indicates that malicious programs can intercept SMS confirmation messages used in banking operations, controlling phone functions without the owner noticing. The attack capabilities depend on the software installed and the access it manages to obtain on the device.
Europol recommends installing applications only from official stores, checking who developed them, reading the requested permissions, and keeping systems updated. In Portugal, the Bank of Portugal advises customers to contact their banking institution immediately if they suspect any fraud or unauthorized access to their login credentials.
