Did you know ? The Netflix streaming platform is one of the main targets of cybercriminals. And while Netflix account theft doesn’t seem alarming at first, our personal information is used.
We tend to think that having your Netflix account hacked is not very dramatic. However, cybercriminals don’t just watch TV shows and movies for free by accessing your Netflix account – quite the opposite. Alexander Vukcevic, director of Avira Protection Laboratory, looked into the question in a study carried out in March 2021 and published this Thursday, May 27, 2021: “In addition to the credit card data, the profile contains various personal information. In addition, if the account password is the same as that used for other accounts such as his online banking, it is obvious that it is even more dangerous “, can we read in the press release. So here’s how to avoid getting hacked.
Avoid sharing your Netflix password
Sharing your Netflix credentials is very common. And if the streaming platform tries, somehow, to fight against this, we have all already shared our credentials with our loved ones. But, according to Alexander Vukcevic’s report, sharing your Netflix account is not trivial. In reality, we are doing much more than giving access to free content: “With the current password, you can access and change the settings. In addition, you only need to check a box to disconnect all connected devices. To connect, you will need to enter a new password. these steps may block you from accessing your own account ” can we read.
Read also : Netflix: Discover the codes to access hidden movie and series categories
Disconnect your Netflix account from a device that is not yours
We often tend to forget to disconnect our Netflix account from a device that is not ours. This often happens when you connect to the Netflix application on a television: connected televisions in hotel rooms or if you are watching a series or a movie at a loved one. The risk is that this can allow malicious people to gain access to your personal data, e-mail and / or telephone number. To disconnect, Avira recommends going to “Account” on Netflix. And take the option “disconnect from all devices” without forgetting to change your password after that. Moreover, it is advisable to change your Netflix password regularly.
Don’t use the same password for all your accounts
This is undoubtedly the most common and yet the most consistent mistake: using the same password for all our accounts on the Internet. According to the Avira report, this is a very bad idea. We must be careful to differentiate all our passwords, whether it is our bank account, our streaming platforms or our mailboxes … Of course, this requires memorizing a lot of passwords, but it is a lot more recommended to avoid a disaster. Avira also recalls that for this, there are password managers that allow us to generate and memorize passwords for us.
Read also : Netflix: here are the secret codes for fans of romantic comedies
Check the list of your watched content on Netflix
It’s a simple, but effective method! Netflix’s algorithm differs depending on each user and the content they watch. The streaming platform therefore keeps track of what we watch. Better yet, the options “review” or “resume x series / movies” allow you to have the history of the contents that have been seen on your Netflix account. If among them, there are some that you have never looked at, it will be necessary to wonder if a third person did not have access to your account without your knowledge.
Beware of fake Netflix emails
Perhaps you have already received emails, supposedly from Netflix, asking you to pay an invoice or fill in your bank details. It is important to be careful with these emails which, in reality, are not sent by Netflix. How to identify these scams? These emails are often full of spelling mistakes. You can also check the sender’s email address, which often reveals that it is not Netflix: the name of the streaming platform may be spelled incorrectly, for example. Avira also reminds you that you can report any phishing email directly to Netflix by writing to this address: [email protected].
Read also : Netflix: 3 series that get hooked without seeming to watch this weekend
Use a VPN to watch Netflix
A VPN, a virtual private network, is a secure, encrypted connection from the device to the internet. When installed, network traffic is routed through a virtual tunnel that encrypts it. This encryption will hide your IP address while you are browsing the Internet. As a result, it will be nearly impossible for cybercriminals to trace your real IP address or your real location.
What to do if your Netflix password is hacked?
If it is too late, or despite your vigilance, your Netflix account is hacked, it is important to report it to Netflix support: [email protected]. In addition, a guide to protecting your data is available on the website of the streaming platform.
Melanie Bonvard
Mélanie deciphers pop culture from a societal angle and questions the female gaze in films or even series, because everything is a question of gaze, she …