Time to change your Netflix password? Millions of login data have been leaked, according to a cyber security report – and it is not just Netflix
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Internet security giant Kaspersky has a report released saying that the more than 7 million “compromised accounts” for the Best streaming services Who only leaked online in 2024.
The details were not leaked because of a infringement in the security system of the streaming services themselves, but were caught instead by other malignant means, such as Spyware browserversensions, which you type in your computer scrapes and sends them away to scammers, or fake web sites that mislead your account information).
Netflix accounts were by far the majority of the leaked information identified by Kaspersky, with more than 5 million of the 7 million in total. However, there were also leaked accounts for Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and Apple TV+.
The highest number of leaked accounts seems to be for people in Brazil, then Mexico, then India – but bills from everywhere, from the UK to Canada to Australia to Japan.
How big is this a problem?
If your account has been broken, the good news is that it should not put your financial information in much danger, with a few remarkable exceptions.
Your invoicing information must be stored safely by all these streaming services and not visible to someone who simply browses through your profile if they log in malicious.
With people like Netflix and Disney+ who the password exchange between households between households, someone who uses your registrations to view from another country can bring these streaming services to give you a warning about complying with their conditions.
However, the greater danger is whether the passwords involved give them access to other services. For example, if your first video login is the same as your Amazon Prime Login, then that one account can mean that they can order things online from your account.
Similarly, if your Apple TV+ registration is the same as your overall Apple ID logging, then someone may spend money on the payment details associated with your Apple ID.
However, Amazon and Apple both support two -factor authenticationWhich means that the password should not be enough for someone to log in to your account – if you do not have this active, you must now definitely change that.
In all cases, however, if your password for these services is the same that you use for any other login, then the danger is not someone who signs up with your Netflix – they use the same details to log in if you can do some financial damage on online shopping platforms or other sites.
That is why we always recommend one of the Best password managersSo you have a unique password for every service without having to remember them all. iPhones and Android telephones have all built in this option.
What should you do afterwards?
If you are worried about your accounts for these services, you must register with them and change your password immediately.
In general, the activation of two-factor authentication on any services that support it is a no-brainer. Netflix does not offer this option in particular, But it has its own page about how you can keep your Netflix account secure.
If you are one of the Best password managersThis is the perfect moment to start. Many of these services will tell you if one of your passwords appears in leaked account information, so that you can take action to change it immediately.
But also keep in mind how these details were leaked: not by hacks from the services, but because people have downloaded Dodgy Browser extensions and software, or were caught in phishing schedules that asked them to enter their data in fake web sites.
Being online is just as important as the use of technical options such as a password manager or two-factor authentication.
The Kaspersky report emphasizes three things to remember:
- “Always use a legitimate, paid subscription for access to streaming services and ensure that you use apps from official market places or the official websites.”
- “Always check the authenticity of websites before entering personal information. Stay with trusted, official pages when viewing or downloading content and double control of URLs and company name Spellings to avoid phishing sites.”
- “Be careful with the file extensions you download. Video files are not allowed .exe or .MSI extensions – these are usually associated with harmful programs.”
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