MANILA, Philippines (Dec 2024) – Cybercriminals have compromised over 7 million streaming service accounts worldwide in 2024, with Netflix bearing the brunt of attacks as hackers target the digital habits of Generation Z users, according to a new cybersecurity report.
Russian security firm Kaspersky revealed that 7,035,236 streaming accounts were leaked through malware campaigns targeting popular platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Max. The stolen credentials were not taken directly from the streaming services but collected through broader cybercriminal operations that infect user devices.
Netflix dominated the breach statistics with 5.6 million compromised accounts, followed by Disney+ with 680,850 affected users and Amazon Prime Video with 1,607 cases. Brazil led global exposure rates, with Mexico and India also showing significant vulnerability across multiple platforms.
The findings highlight growing risks for Filipino and Southeast Asian users who increasingly rely on streaming platforms for entertainment and social connection. Generation Z users, who spend more on streaming services than any other demographic, face particular danger as their online behaviors make them prime targets for cybercriminals.
“These platforms have become digital sanctuaries where young people build communities around shared content,” said Polina Tretyak, digital footprint analyst at Kaspersky. “But that emotional connection creates blind spots that criminals exploit.”
The security firm’s analysis shows hackers typically infiltrate devices through unofficial downloads, pirated content, malicious browser extensions, or compromised applications. Once installed, malware silently harvests login credentials, session data, and personal information before selling the data on underground forums.
Criminal networks use these breached credentials as stepping stones to broader digital intrusion, identity theft, and financial fraud, particularly when users recycle passwords across multiple services. The stolen information often circulates freely among hackers seeking to build reputations in cybercriminal communities.
Brazilian users faced the highest exposure across all platforms examined, with Mexican and German users also showing elevated risk levels. The geographic distribution suggests criminals are targeting regions with growing streaming adoption and potentially weaker cybersecurity awareness.
In response to these evolving threats, Kaspersky launched “Case 404,” an interactive cybersecurity game designed specifically for Generation Z users. The digital detective experience teaches players to recognize online dangers while investigating realistic cyber crimes based on current threat patterns.
Security experts recommend Filipino users immediately change passwords on potentially compromised accounts, verify official app sources, and avoid suspicious file downloads. Video files with .exe or .msi extensions typically contain malicious programs rather than legitimate content.
The streaming security crisis reflects broader challenges as entertainment platforms become central to how young people socialize and engage with global culture. Episodes become memes, quotes transform into viral tweets, and characters live on through fan edits and TikTok trends, creating rich digital ecosystems that criminals increasingly target.
Users can protect themselves by subscribing only to legitimate streaming services, using official marketplaces for app downloads, and implementing comprehensive security solutions that detect malicious attachments and suspicious online activity.
