Are you concerned about your security and safety when streaming online?

Online video streaming has become popular these days, as just a couple of days ago (at the time of writing), YouTube surpassed Netflix as the most preferred choice of video streaming for many teenagers across the United States. 

However, there are a ton of video streaming platforms that will connect you to your favorite shows and content online. But with the increase in cyber threats such as viruses and spyware, it’s important to keep yourself protected even as you enjoy your favorite shows.

Malicious software programs can damage your device, steal your personal data, or blatantly expose you to other threats. Some criminals take it as far as stealing your financial information while infringing on your privacy. 

This is why it’s important for you to protect yourself when streaming videos online. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best ways to ensure a safe experience when streaming videos online. 

Only Use Secure Networks When Streaming Online

Secure networks are networks that protect or encrypt your connection to the internet. They use encryption technology that protects your connection. This prevents hackers or other eavesdroppers from intercepting it and accessing your personal information. 

This also applies to Wi-Fi connections. We use Wi-Fi networks to connect to the internet, and we all love such because of their convenience and range. We use free Wi-Fi networks, typically found in restaurants, cyber cafes, and airports, to watch our videos. 

But if you’re on an unsecured Wi-Fi network or one with a weak password, other users can hack your connection and steal your data. You might even experience interrupted connections, which can affect your bandwidth and overall streaming quality. 

This is why cybersecurity experts advocate for the use of a VPN. This technology secures your connection and masks your IP address, providing an extra layer of security. 

And besides, the best VPNs for streaming will even streamline your connection and help you access content that’s locked to a specific region and country. Meaning you’ll be able to watch shows and movies that people in your area might not.  

Install Malware and Antivirus Protections 

Watching your favorite videos online is incredibly fun, but you’ll need to be mindful of viruses and malware. You can click on a link that appears harmless and end up downloading malware without your knowledge. 

This is a common occurrence, especially when streaming from unsecure sites. This is why it’s vital to protect yourself from these threats, as they can compromise your device, corrupt your data, and make your digital life a nightmare. 

You’ll need malware protection to prevent infections, block malicious ads, and enhance your browsing experience. Not only that, but they have real-time scanning capabilities that actively protect your device as you stream videos and browse the web.

Downloading the best antivirus or antimalware software is highly advisable for streaming. 

Use a Strong Password

If you have an account with any streaming service, the first thing that you should do is to ensure that you have a strong password. Passwords are designed to be the first line of defense that protects your streaming account. 

So, instead of using a nickname, your pet’s name, your address name, or any other related password that you might know, consider using a password that has a random mixture of symbols, digits, and letters. 

Why should you do this? Hackers or automated bots cannot easily guess a secure password. 

However, we recommend checking out the password managers, as they can help you generate strong and random passwords. But most importantly, they’ll help you safely store these passwords so you won’t have to remember them. 

Stream movies from only reliable websites

Although this sounds like a pretty straightforward tip, it’s one that is commonly overlooked. Streaming from platforms that have a track record of providing safe and secure content will save you a lot of trouble. 

How do you know if a site is reliable and secure?

First, start by checking for a secure connection (HTTPS). A website that has a secure and encrypted connection will be denoted by the “https://” in the website’s URL and a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar.

You can also fish for licensing and copyright information through their site or user reviews and ratings. Be wary of platforms that have a ton of negative reviews or complaints about security and privacy.

Use Ad-Blockers 

Ad blockers are software apps or browser extensions that stop or limit advertisements that pop up when visitors of a site are accessing the site’s content. 

If you haven’t been using ad blockers while streaming, then you’ve been missing out on a whole load of convenience. Some streaming platforms partner with companies to advertise their products to streamers present on their platform. 

Ad blockers can significantly enhance your watching experience as they remove annoying and intrusive ads that pop up. They remove pop-ups, ads, and other intrusive ad formats that typically disrupt your browsing or watching experience. 

The best ad blockers also optimize loading and buffering speeds, as ads are known for slowing down web page loading times. Not only that, but they can also enhance your privacy, as some ads use tracking cookies to collect your data for personalized advertising. 

Bottom Line

Online video streaming is a popular and entertaining way to access your favorite shows and content online. But as with anything online, streaming content online can be dangerous because there are malicious parties that are constantly prying on your privacy and data. 

Why should you be weary of this? Because these parties can infringe on your privacy and steal your data (including financial information and addresses) to use it for their own illegal gain. 

So, to ensure a safe streaming experience, you’ll have to use secure networks, VPNs, ad blockers, and antivirus programs. You’ll also need to stream on reliable and trusted streaming platforms.