Online services like Netflix and Amazon, ever since they became available in our region, have really changed the way we consume entertainment content.
While the subscription costs are relatively low, it still doesn't make sense for an entire family to sign up for individual accounts (you can, but it's a hassle for most people). So what usually ends up happening is that one person signs up for an account, and then a bunch of friends and family shares it for their entertainment pleasure. All fun and games until someone messes up a viewing queue, or racks up an astronomical bill or creates some similar gong-show.
Luckily enough, Chrome has come up with a nifty extension called AccessURL that allows you to share your account without divulging your password or user information.
Once you've added the extension, you can navigate to the page you want to share, click on the handy AccessURL icon, and it generates a url. You can set a time limit for this url (let's say, the amount of time needed for little sister to binge-watch her favourite show), and then send the link to a trusted friend or family member. They can now access your account without requiring passwords, and use it for as long as the time allotment you've set.
AccessURL does not rely on or have access to usernames or passwords, relying on cookies instead. On most websites, that means if you sign out, everyone using your Access URL will get signed out too.
By design, AccessURL's server cannot read user's data. It doesn't have the password (which is unique for each Access URL). The Chrome extension encrypts the data before it reaches the server and doesn't give the server the password. For encryption, AccessURL uses the industry-standard AES. In other words, it prioritises security above everything. Your friends are happy because they get to watch their shows or order their books, and you're happy because your privacy is safe. How's that for win-win?
Leave a Comment