That "free" movie could end up costing you your personal data and financial security. These sites are rarely regulated, and many are designed to exploit users rather than provide a service.

However, Karthik's newfound love for Tamil dubbed Hollywood movies came with a price. His parents, who were struggling to make ends meet, had invested in a small DVD shop, which was now on the verge of shutting down. Karthik's father, a kind and hardworking man, would often lament about the decline of the DVD business, blaming piracy and free downloads for the woes.

Free file-sharing sites often contain adware, ransomware, or spyware.