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In recent years, numerous campaigns have attempted to scare hackers into submission by linking their habit to malware that suddenly drains their bank accounts. For various reasons these messages are largely ignored, yet a Linus Tech Tips video on how to avoid cheap set-top boxes set up for hacking has been viewed 2.3 million times in two weeks. So what is the secret sauce?
Online hacking has always been linked to computer viruses and similar malware, but for years that connection was rarely exploited by groups hoping to deter hacking. Of course, KaZaA and LimeWire users didn't need reminders.
Several years ago, TorrentFreak received reliable information that anti-piracy groups were preparing to bring the hacking/malware nexus into the mainstream. What followed was a series of reports and PSAs that focused on "concerns" that hackers were being infected with malware, but omitted important details such as "where" and "how."
โDon't use pirate sitesโ was the best advice offered; security software was never mentioned.
Why does this type of messaging fail?
To be fair, issuing advice on how to safely navigate the high seas would have been counterproductive to the point of encouraging piracy. But more fundamental than that, almost all of the campaigns and press releases were based on simple statements about malicious ads, malware, phishing, fraud, identity theft, and banking Trojans, accompanied by no supporting evidence.
On the internet, it was "Trust me bro" versus "Pictures or it didn't happen." The photos never came and only reluctantly do people trust random strangers, even those who want to avoid hackers. burning houses.
At least in the early days, we tried to encourage those making the claims to back them up. Allowing people to see how malware works doesn't have to be hacking tech advice, but there's always a chance they'll see those pushing malware on them in new light.
Necturing people and expecting compliance often leads to immediate pushback. Educating people helps them make their own decisions and if all goes well they can come voluntarily.
Don't tell people what to think: show them
A video posted by Linus Tech Tips earlier this month is a great example of how to reach people. In just two weeks, it has been viewed more than 2.3 million times, and viewers are not only learning why cheap boxes set up for piracy should be avoided, but also being shown exactly why.
But first, Linus manages to break the ice in a way no anti-piracy executive would dare. After describing himself as part of the Napster generation (he would have been around 14 at the time), he implies that he can have first-hand experience of the subject matter.
โ[A]As part of the Napster generation, you may or may not have dabbled at some point. No judgment,โ he says.
โHowever, it's important to remember that the kind of people who are willing to help you circumvent copyright law tend to be the same kind of people who don't care about other laws either. Such as privacy or data collection laws. To which you might think, 'Come on, Linus, how bad could it be?'"
At this point, Linus shows the viewer how bad things can get with some of the most popular Android boxes being sold on platforms like Amazon and eBay. Anyone reading the device sections on any of those sites will have seen at least one of the examples in the video. Rest assured, video won't help your sales move forward.
Just the facts, no sermons, no lectures
While Linus is in the fortunate position of not having a job that pays him to tell people to stop hacking, he clearly understands his audience. He also sticks to the topic at hand.
โAnd I'm not going to stand here and tell them to hack or not to hack. I'll just tell you to practice safe computing, and this is not all,โ she says.
The video was well received and while not an anti-piracy commercial, the end result is more effortlessly effective, fact based and achieved without drama. It also has over 5,000 comments, which suggests excellent viewer engagement, something the pros simply can't match.
two videos (1,2) produced by the United States transmit safely The campaign launched in 2020 has around 2500 combined.
To be clear, that's 2500 views overall - videos have a total of zero comments. To be fair, they're not as bad as those numbers suggest, but without context they're dry, and without a shred of supporting evidence, they're ultimately meaningless.
