5 ways to protect your online privacy while streaming Netflix

This is a collaborative post.

Streaming Netflix might seem like the most harmless online activity that users can indulge in over the internet. Still, hackers and cybercriminals have found their way around it and have made many streamers victims of data breaches and phishing while accessing Netflix.

Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world, with its availability in almost every country of the world and a dedicated library for every region. Due to this, there are around 209 million Netflix subscribers across the world.

These numbers make this streaming service even more attractive for cybercriminals to breach the data of users. 

We mean, what better challenge, right? 

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Are there data breaches with Netflix?

Last year, various Netflix accounts were subject to a data breach through a clever phishing attack by hackers. Through phishing emails, hackers easily collected sensitive data of many accounts, including their credentials, billing information, and credit card details. 

This is one of the reasons why you desperately need to protect your online privacy even while doing something as casual and harmless as streaming Netflix. While there are multiple ways to do so, an effective option is using a VPN for Netflix streaming. 

Anyway, without further ado, let’s look into a few ways to stream Netflix securely:

5 Effective Tips to Protect your Online Privacy While Streaming Netflix

To avoid all kinds of scams and data breaches attempts, you need to protect yourself while streaming your favourite content on Netflix. Following are a few effective ways to keep safe and secure:

1. Use a reliable VPN service:

The first effective way to secure your online privacy while Netflix-ing is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is known to create an encrypted tunnel between the website and your device, thereby offering a completely secure connection. 

No hacker or cyber attacker can snoop into this tunnel and collect any information about you. A VPN also makes you completely anonymous over the internet. It connects you to an alternate server network, completely hiding your actual IP address and location, so no one knows who you are and where you’re from. This anonymity keeps you completely secure online.

Along with protecting you online, a VPN is also known to enhance your streaming experience on Netflix. VPNs let you access geo-restricted content from all over the world. 

And as you know, many Netflix libraries have a very extensive library than the rest. For example, if you want to unblock American Netflix in any country, you just need to connect to a US server of your VPN and enjoy it easily.

2. Set up two-factor authentication:

The next thing you need to do is set up two-factor authentication to protect your Netflix account. You should always enter your phone number to receive a verification code in case a hacker tries to hack your Netflix account. 

This way, you would be able to access your account by entering the verification code, while protecting your Netflix account from hackers.

3. Sign out from all unused devices:

If you stream Netflix only on your Windows PC but have it logged in into your phone, Smart TV, and other devices as well, then there is a high chance of your credit card billing information, credentials, and more getting breached at any time. 

For example, you might lend your device temporarily for use to someone else while having your Netflix logged in. This way, there is a high risk of your data getting breached. 

We’re not making you not trust your peers. We’re just saying that it is a risk if you think about it.

Therefore, the best option is to always log out of your Netflix account when you’re done streaming for the day.

4. Stay vigilant about fraudulent websites:

Multiple websites are only created to scam users about their Netflix accounts by offering special offers and deals. For example, you might visit a website with a popup ad saying ‘Get 20% off on your Netflix billing’. 

Tempted, you might click on it and enter your billing information on the website, later realizing that the website was a fraud and your Netflix account has been compromised.

Therefore, it’s always better to stay vigilant and avoid all kinds of phishing websites and ads.

5. Avoid public wi-fi networks:

One final way to avoid Netflix scams and maintain your online privacy while enjoying your favourite TV shows and movies on Netflix is to overall avoid streaming on public Wi-Fi. 

You might be getting bored at home, so you end up visiting a cafe, get a coffee, and enjoy Netflix using their Wi-Fi. But the truth is that public Wi-Fi networks are known to give hackers unauthorized access to your personally identifiable information. 

In case you’re desperate to use the public Wi-Fi, then it’s better to use a VPN on it for complete protection while streaming.

Conclusion

Netflix scams are increasing day by day in the pandemic world, and Netflix users need to take this extremely seriously. To avoid all kinds of scams, users need to protect themselves even while streaming on Netflix.

While streaming might seem like a harmless activity, it might cost you your privacy if you’re not careful enough. Use the methods mentioned above and protect yourself online while enjoying your favourite Netflix content.