Netflix account security: How to prevent unauthorised access

Netflix account security (Image: Canva)

Netflix is a popular streaming service with millions of subscribers worldwide, offering TV shows and original content. However, with its popularity comes the risk of unauthorised access to your account. Unauthorised access can lead to unexpected charges, disruption of your viewing experience, and potential misuse of your personal information.

To safeguard your Netflix account from unauthorised access, consider implementing the following measures:

Password manager: Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. This ensures that your password is not only strong but also unique and difficult to crack. Password managers can also help you regularly update and manage different passwords for multiple accounts without the hassle of remembering each one.

Avoid password reuse: Reusing passwords across multiple sites is risky. If one account is compromised, it can put others at risk. Always use a unique password for your Netflix account to ensure it remains secure.

Two-factor authentication: While Netflix does not currently support built-in 2FA, you can increase security by enabling 2FA for your Netflix-associated email account. This provides an additional layer of protection by requiring both your password and a secondary code sent to your device.

Regular activity checks: Periodically check your account activity for any unfamiliar logins or viewing activity. This can be done through the recent device streaming activity section in your account settings.

Sign out of all devices: If you notice any suspicious activity, sign out of all devices using the sign out of all devices option in your account settings and change your password immediately.

Email security: Since your Netflix account is tied to your email, ensuring the security of your email account is crucial. Use a strong and unique password for your email and enable 2FA if available.

Avoid phishing scams: Be cautious of emails or messages that claim to be from Netflix and ask for your login details. It might be a scammer trying to hack your account.

Limit sharing: When sharing your Netflix account with family or friends, make sure they are trustworthy. To reduce the risk of unauthorized access, limit the number of people who have access to your account.

Create profiles: Create separate profiles for each user to keep personal recommendations and watch history private. Do not share your main account password; instead, log in yourself and create profiles for others.

Secure devices: Ensure the devices you use to access Netflix are secure. Use antivirus software and keep your device’s operating system and apps up to date.

Avoid public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing your Netflix account on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as they can be vulnerable to hacking. Use a virtual private network (VPN) if you use public Wi-Fi.