Millions of people in the UK and around the world have turned to streaming servicessuch as Netflix and Disney + to cope with the difficult times of quarantine. Streaming services are experiencing increased demand. As a result, Netflix and Amazon Prime have reduced the quality of videos to "relieve" the network.
Now, security researchers are warning that cybercriminals are trying to steal users' streaming accounts, with the aim of selling them or using them themselves to watch shows for free.
"People around the world are being asked to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, many are turning to streaming services for entertainment," explained Adenike Cosgrove, an executive at Proofpoint.
Attackers may exploit this situation and increase the theft and sale of account credentials for streaming services. "We recommend that consumers take a few simple steps to protect accounts and identify and remove potential unauthorized users," he said.
Stolen logins for streaming accounts are often sold on the dark web for much less than the monthly subscription fee. Often, users don't realize that accounts are being used by others.
Proofpoint explains three main ways hackers can steal an account:
The first method involves using malware. Hackers install something like a keylogger on the device to steal the password when the user enters it to log in to the account.
The second method involves sending phishing emails. Criminals trick victims into giving up their passwords, usually to fake login sites.
Finally, a common practice is to obtain credentials from databases leaked by other hackers and test them on streaming accounts.
“The best ways to protect your streaming credentials are to keep your operating system, browser, and plugins up to date , and to avoid clicking on links or attachments in suspicious emails (unknown sources, etc.). If you want to visit a streaming site, search for it directly in your browser. Don’t click on links in emails.
"It's also important to always use a unique, strong password for each of your streaming sites. A password manager can help."
Additionally, many streaming services now offer an option to notify you whenever a device to your account. This is very important because it allows you to see if there is an unauthorized device connected.
