Buzz
It's true. Rey and Kylo aren't using the Force to access your usernames and logins, but there are plenty of hackers—scammers, in fact—setting up fake websites and download links to exploit the premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Make sure to steer clear of these traps with the same accuracy as the Millennium Falcon navigating an asteroid field.
Whether you loved or hated the latest Star Wars movie, or even if you've already watched it multiple times, piracy is still unethical. For those who don't want to debate the moral side, there's an even more straightforward reason to avoid surrendering to the dark side: Many websites will promise you 'genuine' downloads of the movie, and some may even seem trustworthy, with their visibility in search results, social media, and other seemingly reliable platforms.
Don't be deceived. You'll encounter a variety of advanced scams. As Kaspersky's security researchers recently noted in a press release:
“Websites designed to collect personal data and distribute harmful files often mimic the official title of the movie, offering detailed descriptions and additional content to mislead users into thinking the site is connected to the actual film. This technique is called ‘black SEO,’ which allows cybercriminals to push phishing sites to the top of search results (often triggered by search terms like ‘name-of-the-film watch free’).”
Don't fall for phishing scams
Keep this rule in mind when browsing online: If something feels off, don't engage. If a site asks for personal details to watch or download Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, don't provide them. If the site prompts you to install a plugin to view the film, just say no. Avoid surveys, don’t download extra software to bypass paying for a movie ticket, and don’t share your email address. A legitimate movie file won't end in .EXE.
Above all, never share any financial information while searching for a popular, newly released movie online for free. Don't create new accounts with credentials you use elsewhere, hoping to unlock a 'special' download. Always check the website's URL to ensure it's actually the official site for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. And trust your instincts—if a site asks for sensitive personal details to access its content, it's a red flag.
Does this sound unbelievable? Are you rolling your eyes right now? I’d be doing the same, except countless individuals have already fallen victim to phishing scams related to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: 83 verified users at the time Kaspersky published its findings, with over 65 fake versions of the film circulating. And this number is only expected to rise, as Kaspersky notes:
“In 2019, Kaspersky detected 285,103 attempts to infect 37,772 users attempting to watch movies from the iconic space-opera series, a 10% increase compared to the previous year. The number of unique files used to target users amounted to 11,499, marking a 30% decrease from last year.”
