Trojan horse alert: Pirated online versions of ‘The Odyssey’ could contain hidden viruses
Trojan horse alert: Hidden viruses in pirated 'The Odyssey' downloads
Poinews.com – Trojan horse alert: Cybersecurity experts are warning movie fans that pirated online versions of the highly anticipated film The Odyssey may contain hidden viruses capable of compromising personal data. According to new research published by Bitdefender, a leading cybersecurity company, users attempting to download the movie from unofficial sources have already encountered malicious executables disguised as legitimate video files. The Odyssey has not yet been released through official digital channels, while IMAX screenings remain sold out for weeks in many major cities worldwide.
Only days after The Odyssey became one of the biggest theatrical launches of the year, cybersecurity researchers observed fake pirated copies distributing the Lumma Stealer malware across multiple platforms. This Trojan horse alert highlights significant cybersecurity concerns, as online attackers could potentially gain access to thousands of consumers' laptops and desktop computers. Several illegal websites currently present files that appear to be legitimate video downloads of the film, but many of these files are actually concealed versions of malware known as "Lumma Stealer," which infects viewers' devices the moment they are opened.
How Lumma Stealer compromises your data
Developed in Russia, Lumma Stealer is believed to be capable of stealing a wide range of sensitive information, including saved login credentials, payment details, session cookies, browsing history, remote access tools, and communication applications. Additionally, the malware can extract any documents or files saved locally on the infected device. By accessing such a vast range of data and tools, attackers can gain significant entry and control not only over a user's device but also their finances and wider digital relationships. While this latest campaign involving The Odyssey may be alarming, it represents only the latest in a long trend of popular films being exploited to spread hacking tools and malware.
Hackers typically exploit the critical window between a film's cinema release and its arrival on legal streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Bitdefender identified several lure file names circulating online, including variations like "The.Odyssey.2026.1080p.mkv.exe" and "Odyssey_Final_Cut.mp4.exe." Despite promising a seamless film download experience, these files are in fact Windows executables designed to infect a victim's device rather than play any video content. Bitdefender cautioned that this list is not exhaustive, and that criminals are likely using many other file names as well.
This is not a new technique in the cybersecurity world. In 2025, researchers documented an almost identical campaign abusing fake downloads of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, in which attackers distributed Lumma Stealer through torrent websites using files disguised as movie releases. "The latest campaign simply replaces one blockbuster with another," noted the cybersecurity firm. Rather than inventing new attacks, criminals continually recycle successful delivery methods around whatever film is dominating search engines and torrent sites.
Torrent trackers are chock-full of this type of malware. Popular movies are not the only target for Lumma and other stealers — the same goes for television shows, cracked games, and software applications. This trend is made worse by the fact that people may be less vigilant about checking file types and names on these kinds of websites, since they already know the content is illegal and may expect to see unusual file names.
To avoid these threats, Bitdefender emphasised the importance of watching films only through recognised and legitimate streaming services, while also keeping cybersecurity software and computer systems up-to-date. Users should verify file extensions before opening any downloaded content and consider using antivirus programs that can detect suspicious executables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Trojan horse alert? A Trojan horse alert is a warning that malicious software is disguised as legitimate content, such as a movie download, and can infect your device when opened.
How can I protect myself from pirated movie malware? Download films only from official streaming platforms, verify file extensions before opening downloads, and keep your antivirus software updated.
What does Lumma Stealer do? Lumma Stealer is malware that steals login credentials, payment information, browsing history, and other sensitive data from infected devices.
Is this a new type of attack? No, this is a recurring pattern where criminals use popular films to distribute malware through fake downloads on torrent sites and illegal streaming platforms.