Who doesn’t love binging on web series, movies, or other content on OTT platforms? There are also times when you might wish to add other users to the party by adding multiple devices and profiles. Or, even binge-watch a series at an airport or at a cafe’ while using public Wi-Fi.
The reason why we are mentioning these instances is because it’s all fun and games unless you expose your data to those with ulterior motives. That’s what this post’s for. Here, we’ll discuss how you can protect your data and more importantly your internet privacy when streaming content on OTT platforms.
What Data Do We Need to Protect On OTT Platforms?
- Login Credentials – These include your username, password, mobile number, or any authentication codes.
- Payment Information – Credit/ debit card details, UPI, or online banking credentials and other payment methods linked to the OTT platform.
- Personal Identification Data – Information like name, phone number, email address, house address, etc.
- Viewing Preferences – On the outside, it may look like these can’t be exploited but attackers with malicious intent can use them to bombard users with fake deals, target malicious ads, perform social engineering attacks, etc.
- Profile Data of Friends or Family – If your account is used by other friends or family members, their data might also be exposed.
- Device Details – If compromised, device details such as location data, IP address, etc can be exposed. A VPN can be a great way to protect device details from getting exposed.
How To Protect Your Data When Watching Content On An OTT Platform?
– Access OTT Platforms Using Their Official Portals
Most OTT platforms charge a subscription fee for their service. This gives many malicious platforms an opportunity to dupe users looking to access an OTT platform for free. These third-party platforms might claim to offer free content or offer heavy discounts, but they would eventually bait you into a trap.
– Use Strong Passwords
Always secure your OTT accounts with unique and complex passwords. It is important that you create a distinct and strong password for each OTT platform you use. Additionally, it is also advisable that you enable two-factor authentication for added security.
If you find that someone else is using your account without permission or in case of a major data breach on an OTT platform, change your password immediately.
– Sign Out Of Devices You Don’t Recognize
If you don’t remember sharing your account with a device, you can always sign out of all the devices. There are OTT platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and others that let you manage access and devices. If you don’t recognize a device, you can remove it individually.
– Monitor Suspicious Account Activity
If you frequently encounter unfamiliar logins, you can always report them to the OTT platform customer support team. However, we’d still reinstate that in such an event your first course of action should always be to change the password.
– Beware of Phishing Emails
Unless the email comes from an official OTT platform you are using, ignore emails or messages imploring you to share your credentials, or payment details, no matter the urgency. There are several ways you can thwart a phishing attempt.
One of the ways as shared by Netflix, and many other popular OTT platforms is to promptly report it to a designated mail ID shared by the OTT platform.
Be Extra Careful When Using An OTT Platform On A Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fis are a hotbed for all sorts of hacking attacks. So, whether you are planning to binge on your favorite OTT series at a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or on another public Wi-Fi network, you can protect your data by using a VPN. Depending on the device, you can choose from the likes of NordVPN, Vypar VPN, Zenmate VPN, ExpressVPN, Systweak VPN, and others.
Stay Safe While You Binge Watch
Binge-watching on your favorite OTT platform is a great way to unwind. But, prior to that, it is crucial that you stay vigilant. Out there, hackers are always on the lookout for small lapses, and a slip-up would give them the opportunity to compromise your data. By following simple steps like protecting your account using a strong password, and using a VPN when streaming content using a public Wi-Fi, and various others mentioned in this post, you can stay out of harm’s way.
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