Hack enables near-unlimited Netflix video downloads

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services

Hack enables near-unlimited Netflix video downloads

by Brad Linder Mar 5th 2007

Some cheap Netflix users figured out a way around one of the main limitations of the service's new "watch now" feature.

An $18 per month subscription should allow you to watch 18 hours of online video and a $6 per month subscription should grant you just 6 hours. But there's a way to trick Netflix into thinking you watched just a few minutes of video, when you actually watched a 2 hour movie.

Here's how it works:

Wait for the movie to finish downloading, and then disconnect your network adapter.
Clear your browser cache and cookies.
Reconnect your network adapter after you've finished watching the movie.
Netflix will subtract a few minutes from your clock, allowing you to watch dozens of additional movies this month.

It's probably just a matter of time before Netflix figures out some way to "fix" this glitch.

Tags: netflix, online video, OnlineVideo, streaming video, StreamingVideo, watch now, WatchNow

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Peter said 5:19PM on 3-05-2007

How about just paying for the service you use?
People who would never think of stealing a DVD will gladly rip-off Netflix this way.
All that does is raise prices for everyone. If you want to watch more movies per month, then pay for them.
(And come on, are you telling me you can't find any other source for free downloads?)

Tari Akpodiete said 11:02PM on 3-05-2007

Personally, I think this so-called 'hack' is a fine example of unacceptable behaviour.

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