In the old days, people went to the black market to score illegal bits and bobs, you know, like drugs or exotic pets. Today’s nefarious characters, though? They don’t even have to leave home to snag something far more precious and damaging; like your logins, personal account information, and email addresses.
And now they’re targeting your Netflix account.
Entertainment platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Max, to name a few, require your credentials, such as emails, phone numbers, payment information, and sometimes even answers to security questions. Cyber scammers can make tons of money by selling this information on the black market for other criminals to buy and then use to steal your identity, access your accounts, or target other users.
HOW ARE CYBER SCAMMERS STEALING PERSONAL INFORMATION?
In the first quarter of 2021 alone, Netflix phishing scams increased by 250%, according to Perception Point IR Team. These scams typically come in the form of emails that appear to be from Netflix. Generally, these emails indicate that you, as a Netflix customer, have something wrong with your account or that a payment has not gone through (like the phishing example email above). This prompts people to click on the link in the scam email, and plug in real credentials to a fake website that looks like Netflix. From there, scammers steal your information and ruin your day.
TAKE ACTION AGAINST INTERNET SCAMS:
Josh Gordon, Head of Technology Innovations for data company GeoNode, a platform for managing and publishing geospatial data, sent us this list to help protect yourself:
- Strong Passwords: Use a unique, complex password for every account. (We recommend using a password generator. Take a look at more tips on our favorites from this article.)
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly check and review account activity.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Where possible, enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Avoid Auto-Fill Features: While convenient, they increase the risk of your data being stolen.
To protect your internet security, it’s also a good idea to periodically check whether your email address is associated with any major data breaches. You can do this through https://haveibeenpwned.com/. Just type in your email address, and the website will list any data breaches it’s associated with, along with possible actions to take.
Lastly, if you suspect you’ve been hacked, consider freezing your credit through a bureau like Experian or Transunion. This helps prevent any potential criminals from opening credit cards in your name and save you a lot of time and hassle.
The internet is a wild place, and scams are increasingly sophisticated. So, stay vigilant and keep checking back with Techish.com. We’ll keep you up-to-date on all the latest happenings, both good and bad, in our digital landscape.