Subtitle Virus Risk Should be put into Perspective - Screen Systems response

Subtitle Virus Risk Should be put into Perspective - a response from IABM Member Screen Systems

As the connected world expands, apprehension over malicious software finding its way on to commonplace devices increases too; and justifiably so.

Hacking methods vary with the perpetrators forever on the search for clandestine means of infiltrating technology.

Recent reports hitting the social media networks over the past couple of days have highlighted that the latest medium of choice for hackers is the humble and seemingly innocuous subtitle file.

With the volume of content viewed on connected devices being at the level it is right now, especially on IT with high data sensitivity, some headlines of covering news may be, let's say bordering on sensationalising this latest expos .

We wouldn't want to be accused of playing down the risk however, but feel that it should at least be put into some perspective.

It is evident from the original description of the threat that this particular exploitation focusses on user loaded subtitles and a limited set of non-commercial video players.

We are cautious of using the term legitimate' in fear of being accusatory but it's important to note that services such as the likes of Netflix and the BBC iPlayer do not appear to be affected by this threat. The greatest risk lies with users who are viewing video on certain player applications to watch downloaded or streamed video with subsequent fan generated subtitles (Fansubs), possibly unofficial subtitles viewed over unauthorised or possibly even pirated video content.

Perhaps this latest hacking activity strengthens the argument against piracy; as being one of the added values of paying for video?

LINK:	http://www.theiabm.org/news/member-news/blogart4950...
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