new internet tv boxes?

new dodgy boxes?
i know that the old illegal tv boxes went down in july 2010 due to virgin hacking nagro 3,

but i know people who are buying new dodgy boxes from suppliers, which are running via an internet connection through a router to virgin tv or Sky, is this true is it worth buying a new box one, if so how long will they last??? or will i just be wasting my money?? so people have had them since the last ones packed up and they are working fine.. i'm tempted to buy one as theres nothing on telly these days, no football !!