Are you sharing a streaming password? Protect it.

74% of people share their streaming passwords with other people – family, friends, and colleagues.

How can this practice be dangerous? What should you consider before giving away your password?

And how should the upcoming Netflix password crackdown encourage you to work on password security?

Keep on reading.

Easy-to-type passwords are the most leaked on the dark web.

Easy-to-remember passwords are the most frequently hacked and dumped passwords on the dark web. Consequently, easy-to-type streaming passwords you share with others are especially prone to various breaches.

The more people access your account, the higher the risks.

Why?

Credential stuffing and phishing attacks – the most significant risk in password-protected streaming platforms

Credential stuffing attacks – accessing accounts without a breach

When people create a password that they will later share with others, as a rule of thumb, they create as simple and meaning-neutral passwords as possible.

Therefore, people end up using such passwords as qwerty or 123456789.

There is nothing to laugh about; there is no shame in sharing such a password.

But there should be.

Common and easy-to-type passwords are highly prone to credential stuffing attacks.

During such an attack, the cybercriminal tries out as many common combinations as possible until he breaches the account.

For instance, let’s say your email has been once breached in a data leak (which probably did happen). And let’s say you use one of the most common passwords to protect your Hulu account. The high chance is that a hacker will try the combination of your email and a popular password to access your Hulu account. And he will succeed.

Hence, there is no need for a hacker to breach streaming service systems to leak your password. There are quicker existing methods for a hacker to do that.

Phishing attacks – might target you or a person you share a streaming password with

Social engineering attacks can target anyone who has access to the account, regardless that you are the password owner.

When you share a streaming service password, your friend or a family member accesses billing information and personal data. Weight the risk that they might become a target of a phishing scam. If they get scammed, your login data might end up in the hands of a cybercriminal.

Evaluate the risk before sharing a password, or educate your friends about password security before giving away your login.

How to share a password securely? A quick guide on protecting the streaming password .

So far, in most countries globally, you can still share a streaming password. While Netflix is working on a global password-sharing crackdown, you can use the time to better protect your accounts.

• Share streaming passwords securely.

Sending a password via messaging app to a friend in plain text is no longer a safe option. Do not compromise your data security. Instead, use a password manager to store and share passwords securely with others.

• Review security settings. Netflix provides great security tips on protecting your streaming password. Make sure you use a unique, complex password. Add a phone number for password recovery. And always beware of phishing attacks.

• Learn to create strong passwords. It does not matter if you share your streaming password with others or if you are the one someone shares with. Go ahead and update (or suggest a password owner do that) the password to a stronger one. ( Here’s an article on secure password creation.)

Even a shared streaming password can be a secure one. Online data safety significantly contributes to peace of mind.

Spend a few minutes reviewing and strengthening your passwords. When the evening comes, binge the next Netflix show with a calmer mind.