Once upon a time, we all put our internet security at risk just to download the latest TV shows and movies online. We prayed and held our breath that we wouldn’t accidentally allow hackers to access our accounts after hitting the ever-so-shady download button, much like a game of Russian roulette.
Thankfully, the advent of Netflix opened up a completely new way of viewing the entertainment industry, creating immense convenience for users and infinite possibilities for content creators. However, unfortunately, the risks of getting hacked did not vanish with the advent of paid streaming services like Netflix, which allow us to watch a huge variety of content titles under one umbrella at a rather affordable monthly fee.
Hackers have developed newer ways of taking advantage of unsuspecting account owners in order to steal subscriptions to streaming platforms. As reported by Forbes, according to a survey carried out by cybersecurity company, DynariskNow, “users are also more likely to be hacked if they are using certain services including Netflix, EA, Xbox, Sony Entertainment, and Spotify.”
The data on which these stats are based was obtained from the dark web and hacker communities.
These stats about scary and frustrating hacking attempts may make you want to just cancel your Netflix subscription and get rid of it once and for all, but what if we told you there was a way to stay subscribed to Netflix while also staying safe from malicious hacking attempts?
Continue reading the below guide if you believe that your Netflix account has been attacked.
How to Determine if Your Netflix Account Has Been Hacked
You may check your Netflix account to see whether it has been hacked by following the instructions below:
1. Sign in to Your Account
Some of the hackers are prepared to observe quietly, while others are a bit more adventurous and will attempt to modify your login information. Some hackers will take over everything, from your email address to your password, in order to sell the credentials of your account to an unaware client.
If you are still able to log in, that’s a positive indication, but it doesn’t guarantee you’re safe.
2. Take a look at your ‘Recently Viewed’ Tab
When the content suggestions don’t appear to match or make sense, it’s one of the common apparent signs that someone has accessed your account. Perhaps it’s a movie you’ll spot in the ‘Watch Again’ area that you’ve never actually watched. Similarly, there may be a series on the ‘Continue Watching’ page that you never started watching in the first place.
However, this is not a foolproof approach because there are other ways to remove anything from your recent streamed list, and hackers are obviously aware of those ways. However, in case you suspect something is wrong, you should immediately examine your Netflix Account history to be on the safe side.
3. Examine Your Streaming Activity
If something doesn’t feel right with your lists, the thing you should do is look at your viewing history.
Navigate to account> Streaming Activity > Recent Device Streaming Activity in your Netflix account.
Once you’re on this tab, you may look for any more unknown logins. Don’t forget that some of the people you’ve given access to your account may use VPNs to view particular content, so double-check with all of them.
What Should You Do If Your Netflix Account Has Been Hacked?
Once you’ve confirmed that your Netflix account has been hacked, below are the steps you must take to take control of your account again.
1. Remove All Users
Before you do anything else, be sure you’re the one who’s signed in. After verifying a hack, the other step is to ‘deny access to everyone else.’
To sign out of all devices, click on account>Settings >select Log Out of all Devices.
2. Change your Password
Once you’re certain that someone else is not using your profile, you can change the password.
Unfortunately, the option to change the password directly on the Netflix Application is not accessible for iOS devices, so log in to Netflix on the desktop instead.
To update your password on the Android smartphone, navigate to More > App Settings > Account > Change password. Then, enter the current password as well as your new password.
Don’t forget to tick the option ‘Require all devices to sign in with the new password.’ Also, if you haven’t already, now is a good time to allow two-step authentication. After you’ve set your new password, hit the ‘Save’ button.
3. Request Assistance from Netflix
If you discover that someone has altered your email address or your Netflix account cannot be found, you must contact Netflix support.
To do this, ask other account holders who are still signed in to report the problem to Netflix through their help center on both Android and iOS by heading to More > Help >. Call or Chat.
However, if your account information is already modified by the hacker, such as your credit card details, you may face difficulties regaining access to your account. Instead, you might request that your account be deleted altogether.
How to Keep Hackers Away from Your Netflix Account
The most difficult problem you will most likely face is that Netflix accounts are shared subscriptions with a single login. The security of your Netflix account necessitates the cooperation of all parties involved.
Here are some tips for keeping your Netflix account safe from hackers:
1. Set Ground Rules
To prevent hackers from accessing your account, it is important to set ground rules with other account users. Decide how many individuals will have credentials of your shared account with your group.
Also, make it clear that they are not permitted to share credentials of an account with anybody else. Many incidents of unexpected use are caused by persons sharing their login information with non-account holders.
2. Maintain the Security of Your Passwords
Take the same precautions with your Netflix account as you would with any other account online. Begin by generating strong passwords, separate passwords for each account, and avoid sharing the credentials with anybody, including individuals you trust.
3. Employ Internet Safety
Connecting to unsecured networks, like strangers’ Wi-Fi, is not a good idea. Examine the protection of your local internet network on a regular basis. Avoid clicking on any shady links, such as those found in suspicious emails sent by “Nigerian princes.” Remember to log out of any devices you don’t own after using them, especially your email accounts.
Protect Your Netflix Account
There will always be problems, no matter how carefully you attempt to protect your Netflix account. Every year, hackers discover new methods to steal passwords for internet streaming subscriptions.
Remember to use online safety precautions. Keeping your information secure is essential for every service, not just streaming platforms. So, stream safely, and don’t let these hackers come between your Netflix and Chill!
