Roku Breach Affects Thousands of Accounts — What To Know
Hackers likely used passwords from other subscriber accounts where data breaches occurred to gain access to Roku accounts. Experts advise changing your passwords regularly.
Roku has been hit by cyber hackers who gained access to 15,363 accounts and took usernames and passwords that customers also used on other websites, the TV streaming platform recently disclosed.
The breach, reported on March 8, occurred between December 28, 2023 and February 21, according to a disclosure notice with the Maine Attorney General's Office.
Roku said it has already reset the account passwords of those affected by the cyber attack, but encourages users to also take the following steps:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What to do
- Review the subscriptions and the devices linked to your account, which you can view on your account dashboard.
- Always use a strong, unique password for each of your online accounts. For more information, visit Roku's how to create a strong and secure password for your account site.
- Regularly review statements from your account and obtain your credit report from one or more of the national credit reporting companies. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-322-8228.
Hackers tried to buy subscriptions
The breach is the latest in a long line of cyber attacks on businesses and follows a massive breach at 23andMe last December. The breach at the genetic testing company also involved hacks of accounts in which customers used the same passwords and usernames from other websites.
Experts warn customers to change their passwords often and don't use the same ones across accounts.
In a March 8 letter sent to users, Roku said that it observed suspicious activity "indicating that certain individual Roku accounts may have been accessed by unauthorized actors.”
After an investigation, Roku found that unauthorized actors likely obtained the usernames and passwords of subscribers from third-party sources, such as data breaches of other services that those subscribers use, and then used those same logins and passwords to gain access to Roku accounts.
“After gaining access, they then changed the Roku login information for the affected individual Roku accounts and, in a limited number of cases, attempted to purchase streaming subscriptions,” Roku said. “However, access to the affected Roku accounts did not provide the unauthorized actors with access to social security numbers, full payment account numbers, dates of birth, or other similar sensitive personal information requiring notification.”
To reset your Roku account, go to my.roku.com and use the “forgot password?” option on the sign-in page.
Roku users with any questions about the incident are encouraged to contact Roku at 1-816-272-8106 or by email at account-help@roku.com.
For more information regarding warning signs of identity theft, how to report identity theft and how to protect yourself, visit USA.gov’s Identity Theft webpage.
RELATED CONTENT
-
S&P 500 Hits New High Before Big Tech Earnings, Fed: Stock Market TodayThe tech-heavy Nasdaq also shone in Tuesday's session, while UnitedHealth dragged on the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average.
-
4% and Chill? Find Out If This Distribution Rule Fits Your RetirementTake this simple quiz to discover whether the 4% Rule will work for you in retirement.
-
Oregon Tax Kicker in 2026: What's Your Refund?State Tax The Oregon kicker for 2025 state income taxes is coming. Here's how to calculate your credit and the eligibility rules.
-
The 1-Month Rule for Setting Your Car Insurance DeductibleThe ideal car insurance deductible balances risk and savings. Here's how to find it.
-
'You Owe Me a Refund': Readers Report Challenging Their Attorneys' BillsThe article about lawyers billing clients for hours of work that AI did in seconds generated quite a response. One law firm even called a staff meeting.
-
How Drones Can Affect Your Insurance CoverageHow insurers are using aerial imagery to assess homes, the backlash from policyholders and how state regulators are trying to rein in the practice.
-
My First $1 Million: Risk Management Consultant, 55, Marlborough, Mass.Ever wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Divide and Conquer: Your Annual Financial Plan Made Easy, Courtesy of a Financial AdviserOverwhelmed by your financial to-do list? Split it into four quarters and assign each one goals that connect to the time of year. It could be life-changing.
-
$100,000 Travel Emergencies You Don't See Coming and How to PrepareTravel emergencies can get expensive fast. Here's how to protect your wallet from the worst-case scenario.
-
The Financial Details Every Couple Should Share (Before There’s an Emergency)From passwords to policy numbers, having shared access to key accounts can prevent financial chaos when life throws a curveball.
-
I’ve Played 1,300-plus Golf Courses: These Are the 4 on My 'Must-Play' List for 2026These four luxury golf courses offer an extraordinary experience for players this year.
