The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has warned about the increase in scams through SMS text messages to steal the data of Netflix accounts from users, taking advantage of the uncertainty caused by the end of shared accounts in the platform.

The streaming content platform ended the possibility of sharing an account between non-living users in the same household at the beginning of February. In this sense, it implemented measures such as the assignment of a main location for the account and the possibility of creating sub-accounts for users outside the home for an additional 5.99 euros to the subscription price.

As a result of these changes, cybercriminals have seized the opportunity and have launched ‘smishing’ attacks, that is, ‘phishing’ via SMS, trying to confuse subscribers in order to steal their username and password.

As explained by the OCU, the ‘modus operandi’ of malicious actors is based on sending text messages to users indicating that their account service has been suspended due to payment problems. Thus, the SMS explains to them that their account has been blocked or that there has been an incident with it.

Once the supposed problem has been reported, the attackers encourage users to enter “as soon as possible” in the link that is attached to the SMS to be able to log in again and solve the problem. However, the page that is accessed is a fake page that pretends to be Netflix.

In this way, through this ‘smishing’ scam, cybercriminals get users to enter their data on the fake page and steal the access credentials to the streaming content platform account.

The OCU has recalled that this type of attack was already carried out previously, however, given the confusion caused by the end of shared accounts, there has been an increase in this type of scam.

To check if it is a scam of this style, Netflix also has explanatory information on its help page. In this sense, the platform makes it clear that in no case will they request information about bank card numbers, bank account details or Netflix passwords through an SMS or email.

Similarly, the service warns that if the text message or email includes a link to an unknown URL, the link should not be clicked. “If you have already done so, do not enter any type of information on the website that has been opened,” he concludes.

Source: dpa

(Reference image source: Venti Views, Unsplash)

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World Password Day is celebrated on May 5 of each year with the fundamental purpose of raising awareness among citizens about the importance of creating secure passwords to prevent the theft of private and relevant information by cybercriminals.

Cyberattacks or computer crimes are becoming more frequent every day in a digitalized world like the current one. Being a victim of hacking can not only lead to the loss of personal or legal accounts on social networks, but also the theft of private and relevant user information or finances deposited in bank accounts or virtual wallets.

The origin of this commemoration dates back to 2005 when the researcher and author of the text Perfect Passwords Mark Burnett explained the strategies for creating a more secure password and “proposed establishing a day that would serve as a reminder to users and companies around the world. world”.

In 2013, the software company Intel Security, recognized for having created the McAfee antivirus, took up Burnett’s idea of ​​declaring World Password Day and began its celebration on the first Thursday of May, which this year is May 5.

Strategies for creating strong passwords

Most people know the importance of having strong passwords on their devices, accounts, and apps to help protect their information. However, few take the appropriate measures, either for convenience or fear of forgetting the password.

They generally use words or phrases such as birthdate, wedding anniversary, graduation. As well as ascending or descending numbers, family names, pets or common places that are not recommended by security experts in order to create a secure password that is difficult to break.

One of the safest recommendations to prevent cybercriminals from breaking passwords is to combine uppercase and lowercase characters with numerical data, add one or two special characters and make them as long as possible.

Another recommendation of experts is the use of the second authentication factor, which is a temporary access code sent by text message. In addition, it is recommended not to use the same password for all accounts, since the cyberattacker would have unlimited access to all social networks, banks and emails.

M. Rodríguez

Source: tn.com.ar

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The American entertainment company Netflix announced that it will apply a guilt tax for those users who share their passwords with people who do not live in the same house as the account holder, as a business strategy to avoid the violation of the terms of service provision and the revenue leakage.

The measure will be implemented as a test by the company in Costa Rica, Chile and Peru. According to the statements of Netflix’s director of product innovation, Chegvi Long, with the relaxation of the terms and conditions for the provision of service, he maintains that the password “cannot be shared with individuals beyond your home”. The company “will allow passwords to be shared easily and securely, while paying a little more.“

Netflix will ask citizens to pay a slightly higher rate for using the service in several homes. Of course it will be a completely optional service, a fact that makes it more of a “fault” tax than a new charge for the service.”

The streaming platform is currently testing a feature that will allow users to transfer their profile. It is a tool that seeks to instead of sharing the password to “get your own Netflix account. We must remember that this is not mandatory, but something that the company wants you to do” explained the director of innovation.

Impact on Netflix revenue

The company’s new options to add extra accounts will be enabled in the coming days with a cost equivalent to: Costa Rica 2.99 US; Chile 2,380 CLP and in Peru 7.9 PEN, although the cost it will have in the United States is unknown.

To justify the move, the director of program innovation posted on the company’s blog: “We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams on our Standard and Premium plans.”

The company guarantees that people who decide to pay for a new subscription account as an “Additional Member” will keep their viewing history, “My List” and “personalized recommendations.”

M. Rodríguez

Source: tekcrispy.com

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As part of raising awareness about cybersecurity, Google reported the implementation of new functions in its password manager, applying the obligation of a “two-factor authentication” system. The measure could be activated in 150 million of its accounts, approximately, before the end the year.

The new features will impact the computer security of Chrome for Android and the Google mobile app. Particularly, in the case of the app, the company plans to increase “a feature so that users can access all the passwords that have been stored in the manager (…). This action will be carried out directly from the application menu. This was published by the company on its blog.

The company also indicated that Chrome on iOS also features the “ability to auto-fill passwords” that users have previously stored in other applications. Another new feature that the Internet giant plans to implement in a short time is the automatic generation of passwords in any “iOS on Apple devices” application.

Secure access

With these new authentications, the company requires that the user make two reactions to connect to the search engine and considers that the main objective of the company to force its users to activate the function is explained when it points out: “Having a second form of authentication reduces dramatically the opportunity for an attacker to gain access to an account.”

As will be recalled, last May the American company Google made reference to the functionality, but at this time it is aware that more than “150 million additional users will have access to it.”

The company also reported that it will apply motivational strategies to encourage more than 2 million content creators on YouTube to make use of this new tool.

Google describes its cybersecurity technology system as “one of the most reliable ways to prevent unauthorized access.” According to the organization, the user can combine “something he knows, which would be his password, with “something he has”: his mobile device.

M Rodríguez

Source: 20minutos.es

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