GUEST EDITORIAL: How to Safely Stream Movies Online

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How to Safely Stream Movies Online

by Kevin Gardner

It has become incredibly easy to access a plethora of movies and television shows online, with almost endless options for where to watch them. But some streaming sites are less safe than others, and some are downright dangerous. Here are a few tips for identifying which sites are legitimate, and staying safe along the way.

1. Safeguard Your Device

While identifying possible bad websites is a great way to stay safe online, it's always good to make sure your device is equipped to handle situations that could arise. Always be sure to have the latest version of your antiviral software, and make sure your server has a good firewall or microsegmentation.

If you or someone in your family has to download torrent files to overcome paying a meaty subscription fee, then you need to make sure you are choosing the right platforms. Yes, not all torrenting sites are the same. While some are hotbeds of illegal activities, others seriously want to help create a free and democratic internet space. This is why you need to go for platforms like ipiratebay.org that do not have any pop-ups and a vibrant community that prioritizes user safety over everything else. 

It's also a good idea to have ad-blocking software installed on your browser to block any pop-ups or other ads that could automatically include malware. If anonymity online is important to you, consider getting a VPN to protect your privacy and enable you to access content otherwise unavailable in your area. Once you have the right tools for safety, staying safe is a breeze.

2. Avoid Clicking Links

Any legitimate streaming site will have your content available to watch after you've clicked the title on your home page. An illegal site, on the other hand, will make you click through two to three pages to get to your final destination. Some of these illegal sites will have viruses embedded in the pages themselves, making it impossible to avoid a virus if you've already clicked the link. The more links you're clicking, the more likely you'll open a pop-up or download something unintentionally.

It's also best to avoid websites that have excessive amounts of ads on every page. A legitimate streaming website will not need ad revenue, so stay away from anything that looks cluttered and sketchy. If you have kids at home with their own devices or access to one, it might be a good idea to show them an example of what these bad pages look like. Make sure they understand to just leave the website and get an adult if they believe they may have downloaded something. 

3. Don't Torrent 

Torrenting is a common way for illegal movie downloads to take place. It can seem safe, because frequently torrenting websites have the appearance of legitimacy, and you can download your own torrenting software to use. But it's very difficult to gauge whether the file you're downloading is what it says it is, and you'll never really know until you open it on your device.

This means you could be installing a virus or other malware unintentionally. The consequences of downloading a virus could be anything from a total system shutdown to having your information stolen. You'll end up having to purchase a new device, and may have to change whatever information you've been using online until now. It's not worth the free content, so avoid the temptation to torrent. 

4. Prepare to Pay

An unfortunate side effect of staying away from sketchy, illegal streaming websites is that you'll probably have to pay for the content you really want to see. But the price is going to be worth your peace of mind that your information won't be stolen, and your device won't be harmed in the process.

Identify the streaming services that carry your favorite shows and films and invest in them. This is especially worthwhile if you have young kids at home who want to watch TV on demand - now they can watch safely, without constant supervision. Plus, you'll probably have access to content unique to that platform and for higher streaming quality than the illegal sites. 

Online safety habits are an excellent tool to have if you're spending a lot of time browsing the internet. While a lot of great content is out there, a lot of danger exists, too, and it's important to understand how to avoid it and keep yourself and your devices safe.