To keep users satisfied, Netflix continues to provide new features, adjustments to its membership options, and new content. As a Netflix subscriber, you may be quite fine with paying additional costs to share your password with friends and family. Some of you may want to keep track of your watchlists and use the streaming service’s recommendation engine to ensure you watch the movies you want. It also doesn’t hurt that there’s now a $7 ad-supported plan available.
In any event, you most likely don’t take your Netflix account – or who has access to it – for granted. Despite your best attempts to keep your passwords safe, freeloaders can find illegal ways to steal your login details and stream without your permission. It can be aggravating if you suspect your account has been hacked and that someone is watching all of the latest Netflix releases. Here’s what to look out for and what to do if you’re locked out or have been hacked.
1. Look out for new profiles
Most of us are concerned with the appearance of our Netflix home screen and the profiles that reside on a single account. Up to five are permitted, but if you only have one or two and more ones appear, this is your first indication that someone has hacked your account. Profiles may have been removed or updated in some situations.
Before you panic, check with your account sharers to see whether someone added or removed a new profile. If no one in your inner circle (or their outer circle) is in charge of the new profile, delete it and change your password.
To delete a profile, you must use a web browser to access Netflix. Tap Manage Profiles after clicking on your profile icon. Select the rogue profiles and press the Delete button.
Check your watch history on your profiles next. Is a new TV show in your Continue Watching queue? What about introducing some new genres to your recommendations section? There may have been a takeover if you discover a new “Because You Watched” suggestion for a movie or series you never watched. Again, inquire around your circle to ensure that your mother or kid did not accidently binge watch all of the K-dramas or baking series on your page.
2. Perform some investigation
When Netflix detects a “new” device that has signed in to your account, it sends an email alert. The corporation will often disclose information on the type of device, as well as the location and date of sign-in. However, because Netflix does not do this every time someone signs in, you must check this information on a regular basis. In light of the password-sharing crackdown, make your primary residence the primary viewing household on your account.
Log in with a web browser and go to the Account page. Under Security & Privacy, click Manage Access and Devices to see where, when, and how individuals have accessed your Netflix account. I once realized that someone in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was using my service (through a Fire TV Stick), prompting me to change my password right away. If you notice similar patterns on your account, it’s time to change your password. We have some excellent advice for building and safeguarding strong passwords.
Before you do so, return to Security & Privacy and sign out of all devices to guarantee that when you change your password, everyone must log in again. If you’ve been traveling and watching Netflix in a hotel or vacation rental, don’t forget to do this step.
Netflix won’t let you change or erase your account activity information, but you can take a screenshot of the IP address, device, and location to see if it happens again.
3. Check your billing statement
You’re probably on auto-renewal with Netflix and don’t check the invoice amount each month. It’s time to take a look to verify if you still have your desired subscription package. Even if you discovered your account had been hacked and canceled Netflix, follow this advise because someone could still be streaming while you’re being charged. Check the cancellation and billing status again.
If you know you’ve been paying for Standard – which is currently $15.50 a month – and you’ve been getting charged $20 for the last three months, someone may have promoted you to Premium without your knowledge.
Contact Netflix about the disparity and inform them that you have most likely been hacked. It is still your responsibility to change your password and email address.
4. Secure your account
It’s critical that you reset your password as soon as possible, before the imposter tries to get back in. Make sure your password is also strong. “123456” will not suffice. Check the remainder of your credentials after that.
It’s a good idea to visit Have I Been Pwned to see if your email account has been compromised. Enter your email address or phone number to see if your information has been shared on the dark web. Have you received bad news about a breach here? Me too. A security breach occurs when hackers illegally access and release your email, password, account name, credit card information, or any other data kept on a website. Change your Netflix email address to one that hasn’t appeared in the murky digital underground.
When you alter your email address on your Netflix account page, you will be requested to enter a code that will be emailed to you to validate your identification. Complete those procedures to use your new email address. If the account’s email address has been compromised, you must contact Netflix’s customer care staff to report it, or, as a last resort, cancel the account and create a new one.
Remind friends and family who live outside your household that their existing Netflix profiles can be transferred to a new account. Otherwise, if you opt to dodge the password crackdown, these tips may put an end to their freeloading ways as well.
