Streaming services have revolutionized the way we consume media by providing frictionless, instant access to huge libraries of music, video, and even gaming content. However, with the convenience of this new home entertainment comes new cyber risks. In this piece, we’ll delve into these new security challenges, provide some context on the current state of security in the streaming landscape, and offer some guidance as to what you can do to enjoy a more secure home streaming experience.
Seamless streaming and cyber exposure
Nowadays, our living rooms comprise entire tech ecosystems, with streaming devices at the centre of everything. With a host of internet-enabled and IoT devices in our homes, all capable of communicating with each other, there are now more viable entry points to malicious actors than ever before. What’s more, these devices do not typically benefit from the same kind of regular security patches that PCs or smartphones do.
The problem here is that with all of these entertainment devices interconnected, your security is only as strong as that of the weakest link in the chain, meaning that a single vulnerable device can potentially compromise the rest. Using a smart TV with an outdated OS, for instance, can allow malicious actors to exploit its firmware vulnerabilities and gain access to your home network. Once that happens, an attacker can access other devices or streaming apps, potentially gaining access to your private data or even payment information.
While seamless streaming experiences bring an attractive element of convenience to home entertainment, it’s important to be aware of the risks that come with interconnected devices and applications.
Cyber threats in the digital entertainment ecosystem
As streaming is now an integral part of global entertainment, we also need to understand the risks that exist further up the supply chain. With streaming companies like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon amassing enormous numbers of subscribers, they’ve vast quantities of private data and, consequently, have become attractive targets for cybercriminals.
In recent times, there have been instances of streaming companies being subject to targeted attacks from threat actors, with real consequences for customers. In 2024, for instance, Roku fell victim to an attack that saw hackers use credential stuffing to compromise as many as 576,000 user accounts. While the attackers did not manage to gain full access to users’ payment information, they were successful in making fraudulent purchases in some instances, which is worrying enough in itself.
Streaming giants have extensive IT teams who are tasked with responding to emerging vulnerabilities with patches and updates, and strides are being made to facilitate more proactive and effective security. Using AI-powered security platforms for automated penetration testing and automated red teaming, for example, is enabling enterprise-level organizations to find and remediate weak points earlier to pre-empt attacks and continually strengthen security measures.
Employing these trending cybersecurity measures will enable streaming companies to keep pace with evolving threats, but there is always some level of risk, however negligible, which necessitates proactive device management and network hygiene at the user end.
Securing your home streaming experience
While enterprise-level tools such as automated security platforms will help streaming providers to combat cyber exposure on the back end, it is also up to us as users to do our part in mitigating risk ourselves. This is something you can do by taking a layered security approach.
The first step is to ensure that your router is optimally configured and secured. Set a strong, difficult-to-guess passphrase and enable the strongest encryption it supports – ideally WPA3. Regular firmware updates are a must, of course, and it’s also recommended to create a dedicated network for IoT devices that is isolated from your main home network. With your router security set, you can shift your focus to the security of your streaming devices. Ensure that your TV’s OS is also updated to the latest version and disable developer settings on devices like FireTV. It’s also advisable to avoid installing any apps not found on official app stores.
Crucially, you should also take measures to secure your personal accounts. Again, password best practices apply here. Set unique, complex passwords and practice good password hygiene by changing them regularly. Where applicable, enable 2-Factor or Multi-Factor authentication, as this will help to protect you should your credentials be compromised.
By identifying areas of cyber exposure in your streaming ecosystems and taking proactive measures to mitigate them, you can ensure that your home streaming experience is as secure as possible.
Wrapping up
Streaming services have made entertainment more varied and accessible than ever before, but we must take care to ensure that the convenience of streaming doesn’t come at the cost of security. With the digital ecosystems in our homes expanding, vigilance and proactivity will be essential to ensuring security. By understanding the risks involved and adopting secure practices in how you set up your home devices, you can enjoy streaming with comfort and peace of mind.