It's usually relatively easy to regain control of a hacked Netflix account, and make sure it stays ... [+] secure in future.NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTABLE OF CONTENTSNetflix is one of the world's most popular streaming services, with more than 280 million paid subscribers worldwide as of the third quarter of 2024.However, partly because Netflix accounts are only protected by a username and password, with no two-factor authentication, it can be vulnerable to hackers. Criminals gain access through, for example, phishing attempts, data leaks, keyloggers or malware infections. The good news, though, is that it's usually straightforward to regain access of a compromised Netflix account. We look at the signs that your account may have been hacked, and what you should do if it has.How To Tell If Your Netflix Account Is CompromisedThere are a number of signs that your Netflix account may have been hacked one the most obvious being a notification that youre violating Netflixs password-sharing policy, or that someone has logged in from an unknown location.You may also find that when you try to sign into your account or reset your password, they've been changed, and youve been locked out. Extra payment methods you dont recognize may appear on your account. Meanwhile, you may notice suggestions that dont match your interests, or see shows or movies in your recently played content or in Continue Watching list that you didnt watch.Sign 1: Emails From NetflixNetflix will alert you if a device has signed in from an unfamiliar location, or a new device has been used and this can be a sign that a hacker is using your account. It will also warn you if it thinks you're violating its password-sharing policy. However, take care scammers are increasingly using fake emails from Netflix as a phishing technique. Don't ever provide your password or payment details.MORE FOR YOUSign 2: You're Locked OutAnother sign that your Netflix account has been hacked is discovering that you're locked out when trying to sign into your account or reset your password. This is a sign that a hacker has changed your password themselves. Sometimes, they are able to change the email address associated with the account, so that you cant reset the password.Sign 3: Payment ChangesYou may spot an additional payment method you dont recognize, or discover that your account has been upgraded without your knowledge. Your monthly payments may also go up, because the scammer is paying for extra content or services that you haven't authorized.Sign 4: Content ChangesNetflix isn't always great at predicting what you're likely to want to watch next but if you start seeing really bizarre recommendations appearing, this may be a sign that you've been hacked. Similarly, shows or movies may start showing up in your recently played content or Continue Watching list that you didnt watch.What Should You Do If Your Netflix Is Hacked?Your first step, if you think your Netflix account has been compromised, is to immediately change your password to something hard to guess. This will keep the attacker out.You should then sign out of all devices. Youll need to re-enter your new password into each device when you start watching again. You should remove any unauthorized payment methods through the Manage payment methods section, and take a look at any previously connected credit card or bank accounts in case there have been any unauthorized transactions. Finally, you should contact Netflix support to report the suspicious activity.Step 1: Change Your PasswordIf you think your Netflix account has been compromised, your first move should be to go to account settings and change your password. You should pick something hard to guess, with a mixture of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols and make sure it's different from any passwords you use elsewhere.Step 2: Sign Out Of All DevicesYour next step should be to go to the Security and Privacy settings and sign out of all devices this means the hacker cant use any cookies or permissions to get back in and lock you out. Once you've regained control of your account, youll need to re-enter the new password into each device you use.Step 3: Remove Unauthorized Payment MethodsIt's possible that the hackers have been racking up costs on your account, so the next thing to do is to go to Manage payments and remove any payment methods you don't recognize. You might also, if possible, want to remove the one you're currently using and change to something new. Check whether any unauthorized payments have been made, and let your bank or credit card company know if so.Step 4: Contact Netflix SupportYour final step should be to contact Netflix through customer support or online chat and report what's happened. Go to the Help Center page, then Contact Us. You'll be prompted to describe your problem and the actions you've taken.How Can You Recover Your Netflix Account?If the hackers have changed your password, you may find that you're completely locked out of your account. If this is the case, you'll need to contact customer support.Online chat will encourage you to explain the problem, along with any other information you might have whether you could have fallen for a phishing attempt, for example. You should also tell them if the hackers appear to have changed the email address associated with your account. Depending on what the hackers have managed to accomplish, it is, in very rare cases, unfortunately possible that you may not be able to regain access in which case you'll need to open another account.How Can You Protect Your Netflix From Hackers?If you've been hacked or even if you haven't you'll want to make sure that your account is safe in future. A strong password is key; unfortunately, Netflix doesn't offer two-factor authentication.You can add a phone number to your account to make it easier to recover your password, here. If you think your computer may have been hacked, make sure you have a good antivirus package, and regularly run a scan. Dont share passwords outside of your household or give away personal information, account credentials or credit card details. Finally, be on the lookout for phishing emails, tempting you to give away valuable information that could help an attacker access your account.Bottom LineNetflix accounts are relatively hackable, thanks to the lack of two-factor authentication and the wide availability of log-in details on the dark net. Fortunately, though, it's usually relatively easy to regain control of your account, and make sure it stays secure in future.