Kodi WARNING - Security risk alert after popular add-on makes SHOCK claim

KODI users have been put on alert about security risks after a leading add-on spoke about streaming movies and TV online.

Kodi fans have been warned about how safe it is to use illegal add-ons to stream movies and TV online for free.

The Kodi surge continues without any sign of stopping, as users continue to ditch paid TV services for the online player.

Research has suggested Kodi - which offers access to thousands of channels - is being used in more than five million British homes.

Kodi software is not illegal, but developers can produce third-party add-ons that provides free access to pirated and illegal content.

It's these illegal add-ons that are being targeted by ISPs, government agencies, broadcasters and rights holders.

While torrent websites have long been targets of anti-piracy efforts.

But as people continue turn to illegal streams and downloads, one popular online repository has spoken out in defence of Kodi add-ons.

TVAddons is one of the leading add-on libraries for the Kodi media player.

And in a recent blog post, TVAddons claimed anyone that is determined to pirate content online can stay safe by using Kodi add-ons.

The online repository said anyone who wants to pirate movies, TV shows and live sports can stay safe from a host online threats by using Kodi add-ons.

TVAddons claimed that these add-ons will keep users safe from adverts loaded with dodgy malware.

However, security experts blasted these claims as “very misleading”.

Speaking to The Independent, McAfee’s chief scientist Raj Samani said: “It’s very misleading to say that people are defending themselves from cybersecurity threats by using media players such as Kodi instead of illegal streaming websites.

“Bad add-ons can spread malicious software just as easily as ads that you click on online; an issue we know Kodi is not proactively tackling.

“There are security risks associated with all platforms and connected devices, and if the network or device itself isn’t secured properly you can be exposed to threats.

“Cybersecurity risks aside, our advice is to stick to legal streaming channels and catch up services.”

In their blog post, TVAddons said: “While Kodi addons might be great for the user, they are definitely not good for the streaming sites and cyberlockers.

“The reason these sites show ads, popups and other nuissances is so that they can generate money to keep their servers online.”

They added: “At the end of the day, you’re definitely far safer streaming through Kodi addons as opposed to visiting sketchy online streaming sites in your web browser.

“Hollywood might be trying to destroy these addons, but as far as user experience goes these Kodi addons may have saved millions of people from being exposed to malware, crypto-jacking, popups and a whole lot of other ‘hooey’.”

Despite TVAddons boasting that it is “powered by Kodi” within its official logo, there seems to be no love lost between the online repository and the media player software.

They were recently involved in a Twitter spat when one account tweeted Kodi to congratulate them for being “an excellent pathway for pirate add-ons” and to “keep up the good work”.

Kodi, which has a reputation for its abrasive responses to fans of online piracy, said the user was “an excellent example of why contraception should be more widely considered”.

This shocking comeback caused another social media user mentioned TVAddons in relation to the tweet.

Kodi said they “have zero respect for anyone as they are bunch of lying weasels”, referring to the group behind the online Kodi add-on library.

TVAddons, who have more than 14,000 followers on the site, responded: “We respect @KodiTV and all of our users, sucks that you'd kick us while we're down.

“If we lose in court, repercussions will affect you too.”

“We dearly hope you loose in court!,” Kodi, who have a much larger following of 157,000 on Twitter, replied.