SRT.COM

cyber safety

Beware of “Fully Loaded” Streaming Boxes

Beware of “Fully Loaded” Streaming Boxes

News_CYBERSECURITYALERT640x320

You may have heard of “fully loaded” streaming devices, such as vSeeBox and SuperBox, that stream live channels, movies, sports, and on‑demand content over the internet. While they often market no monthly fees and lifetime access, these devices may create security and legal risks for you and for our network.

What You Should Know

These boxes have much more than meets the eye.

The network of hardware and software to make them work is complex. While software on the device can be preloaded by the manufacturer with the legitimate app store, it may also be preloaded with up to several hundred unapproved applications. The apps then connect to illegitimate or illegal IPTV video streams, providing the advertised “lifetime subscription.”

They can slow down your internet.

Connections through these boxes use a peer-to-peer protocol, which means that devices are on a decentralized network and can share directly with each other, often many at the same time. Peer-to-peer connections consume upload bandwidth; by taking up your upload bandwidth, the box can create complete congestion on your internet connection.

You could end up in legal trouble.

Keep in mind that bypassing required subscription, encryption, or authorized access can be illegal in both civil and criminal jurisdictions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that some internet-connected devices can be compromised and used by criminals as part of residential proxy networks or botnets. When this happens, your internet connection may be used to route malicious or illegal activity without your knowledge. Your TV could be end up being used for cybercrime.

Be especially cautious of devices that offer free access to premium television, sports, movies, or other subscription content, require apps from unofficial sources, or instruct you to disable built-in security protections. The FBI identifies these as common warning signs.

Your online security is also at risk.

You could be taking on potential security risks through the device associated with your specific individual account. Superbox and Vseebox rely on unofficial apps from unknown sources, creating a risky environment for the user.

Malware can be shipped with the device, or easily downloaded from illegitimate sources because they bypass traditional Google Play. These applications can steal usernames, passwords, financial information shared with the “service,” usage, and other unencrypted information. Some applications will also attempt to move across the home network to other devices including laptops, tablets, and phones.

What You Should Do

To help protect your home network:

  • Purchase streaming devices from reputable manufacturers.
  • Download apps only from official app stores.
  • Keep devices updated with the latest software and security patches.
  • Review devices connected to your home network and remove anything suspicious.
  • Use caution with free VPN services and unknown applications.
  • For more information, you can visit the following resources:

https://www.fbi.gov/…/home-internet-connected-devices…

https://us.norton.com/blog/security-tips/are-superbox-and-vseebox-legal-and-safe

https://www.fbi.gov/…/evading-residential-proxy…

Thank you for helping keep yourself, your home network, and your community’s internet services secure.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Don’t Tap “Approve” On Surprise Login Prompts

Download Graphics to View Two-factor authentication adds an important layer of protection to your online accounts. But scammers have found a way to try to turn that protection against you.

It’s called an MFA fatigue attack. MFA stands for multi-factor authentication — the extra code, prompt, or approval request used when you sign in.

Here’s how it works: A criminal gets hold of your password, often from an old data breach or a fake login page. They then repeatedly try to sign in to your account. Your phone starts receiving pop-up notifications asking, “Was this you?” or “Approve sign-in?”

The goal is to wear you down. After enough alerts, you might tap “Approve” just to make them stop. Once you do, the scammer may be inside your account.

Protect yourself with these steps:
  • Never approve a login request you didn’t initiate. Even if you receive several prompts in a row, tap “Deny” or “No.” Do not approve one to silence the alerts.

  • Change your password right away. If you get an unexpected sign-in prompt, use a different device if possible and create a new, strong password for that account. Don’t reuse it anywhere else.

  • Turn on number matching when available. Some apps display a number on the sign-in screen that you must enter on your phone. This makes it much harder for scammers to trick you into approving access.

  • Consider using passkeys. Passkeys let you sign in with your fingerprint, face recognition, or device PIN (Personal Identification Number) instead of a password. Many major email, shopping, and financial sites now offer them.

  • Review recent account activity. Look for unfamiliar devices, locations, messages, purchases, or account changes. Sign out of devices you don’t recognize.
An unexpected approval prompt is not a minor annoyance. It’s a warning sign. When in doubt, deny it out.

SecureIT Discontinued by Manufacturer

SecureIT Discontinued by Manufacturer

News_ImportantNoticeSecureITplus640x320

We appreciate your business and want to make you aware that SecureIT Plus is being discontinued by its developer.

As of March 31, 2026, full functionality of SecureIT Plus will end, as will its technical support and product updates.

This means that after March 31, 2026, the SecureIT Plus app will not have awareness of the latest threats and will not provide full protection. Also, the dedicated support staff for SecureIT Plus will be closed.

What you should do:

Once you have acquired a SecureIT Plus replacement, you should uninstall the app from your device(s) before installing the replacement. For SecureIT Plus uninstall instructions, go to www.securitycoverage.com/support/secureit.

We want to help you find a suitable alternative to the SecureIT Plus anti-virus application. Some options for free or low-cost alternatives include your device’s built-in applications like Windows Defender, and third party applications like Avast, BitDefender, and Sophos, to name a few.

SecureIT Plus dedicated technical support remains available at 877-373-3320 through March 31, 2026. 

Please know that the SRT Internet Helpdesk remains available 24/7 at 701-858-7873. Again, thank you for your business and we apologize for the inconvenience.

How to Spot a Phishing Email

How to Spot a Phishing Email

2022_internet_phishing_news
Be on the lookout! A lot of phishing is going on (and not the fun kind involving North Dakota lakes in summer). Bad actors are better than ever at making emails seem realistic and tricking unsuspecting people into clicking malicious links or opening infected documents. Often, phishing emails will have a company logo, and at first glance, seem quite realistic. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has also made phishing scams more believable. However, there are some simple things to do when opening an email that can save you time and stress in the long run.
 

Check the Sender Address

Hover over the from address to see if the email is who it says it is. A quick Google search will often provide you with what the legitimate email address should be.

Look for Grammatical Errors

Legitimate companies are less likely to have grammatical errors as opposed to someone posing as a legitimate company.

Check the Salutation

If you receive an email with a generic salutation such as “hello sir/madam,” or “hi dear,” it is likely to be a scam. Reputable companies will have your name on file and are unlikely to address you in this manner.

Watch for Urgency

If an email is flagged or the subject line includes words like “urgent, time-sensitive, immediate action required,” it is likely not a legitimate email.  

Question the Need for Credentials or Personal Information

Rarely will a legitimate company or agency request personal information through an automated email. SRT will never ask you for sensitive information over email, so if you receive an email request supposedly from SRT to provide personal credentials, it is best to call our direct company phone number and confirm the request.

Don’t Click on Suspicious Documents or Links

If there are documents or links within a questionable and unexpected email, it is most likely a scam. When in doubt, it’s best not to click on any links or download documents until you have confirmed the legitimacy of an email.

Think Critically

Some bad actors are trying so hard to fool unsuspecting people that they don’t think to ensure you utilize the service or company they are pretending to be. For example, you receive an email from someone claiming to be from Netflix, you panic, and open the link. However, you didn’t stop to remember that you don’t have a Netflix account. Something as simple as knowing you do not use the service can save you from opening a bad link.

However, if you do have an account with the company that you received an email from, like SRT, it is always best to call the number on their official website and verify. We are always happy to clear up any misconceptions and set your mind at ease. Keeping your personal information secure is our top priority!

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Fake Gift Card Balance-Checking Sites

Watch Out For Charity Scams Can’t remember the balance on one of your gift cards? Make sure you don’t accidentally go to a fake gift card balance-checking site!

As part of their customer service, many legitimate companies provide sites for customers to check their gift card balances. Unfortunately, scammers have become increasingly skilled at creating deceptive balance-checking sites with fake URLs. If you want to check your card balance and do a Google search, among the top results may be a link that seems perfectly legit — even endorsed by Google Ads — but the whole thing is just a facade. Should you end up on one of these fake sites and enter your gift card number and PIN, you’ll unknowingly give scammers direct access to the funds on your card.

Keep this in mind: Just because a site to check your gift card balance appears at the top of a search, it does not mean it’s legitimate. Search results can be filled with fake gift card balance-checking sites, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to get their pages to show up at the top of results.

The safest way to check the balance of a gift card is to refer to the back of the card for a web address or phone number. If this information is not provided, proceed with caution. Avoid entering your gift card details into any search result labeled as “Sponsored” or “Ad.” In addition, be cautious of any site title that appears in wacky fonts or next to odd emojis. Scammers often use this tactic to make their fake sites both visually pop and appear towards the top.