Online film streaming sites are big news. With unlimited films from £5/month, you can watch 100s of movies for less than the price of a bag of popcorn.
You'll need a decent broadband allowance though. This guide will take you through how to do it, the top providers, how to watch movies (legally) for free and what to watch out for.
In this guide:
Best-buys:
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Watching online vs DVD rental
A new release DVD costs £5-£20 to buy - not cheap, especially if you only watch it once. For example, The Hunger Games costs £7ish new. This sounds cheap, yet for £5 you could get an entire month of unlimited film streaming, including that and other movies.
Streaming lets you watch films online instantly. You don't download the content, but play it live onto devices like laptops and TVs. Its main boon is you get instant access to huge catalogues of films. It's not for everyone though - people who love to watch lots of specific new releases will be better off renting good old-fashioned DVDs.
Before you consider streaming, a word of warning: ensure your broadband connection is fast enough and you've a generous download limit. Otherwise you'll risk being hit with added costs and constant buffering. As a general rule:
"You need a high (or unlimited) download limit, or you could be slapped with gargantuan charges."
If you're going to watch four films a month, in standard definition, for example, you'll need a download allowance of at least 10GB. If you're going to be watching more films, it's worth considering a package with unlimited downloads, so you'll not have the worry of exceeding your limit. Full details in the Cheap Broadband guide.
Some cheaper broadband packages charge up to £2/GB if you exceed your limit. Viewing just one 90-minute film will use around 1.5GB (more for HD films), so this could cost some people £4 in fines if you've exceeded your limit. For more info on this, see the Streaming Q&A;.
Watch films online
Sign up online and start streaming movies straightaway. Can watch on laptops, PCs, mobiles, games consoles and TVs.
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Instant access. No waiting for DVDs to arrive or trudging to a shop.
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Requires a decent broadband connection and download limit.
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Cheaper way to watch unlimited films.
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Film choice can be patchy.
Think watching online would best suit your needs? Read on!
Online DVD rental
Online DVD rental companies post you your chosen films; you send 'em back in pre-paid envelopes.
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Wider choice of films, especially new releases.
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Cheaper for those who watch less than one film/mth to pay as they go.
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No worries about broadband usage.
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Easier for non-techies.
Think online DVD rental's best for you? Read the full DVD Rental Guide
What if I already have Sky?
If you've got Sky TV and the Sky Movies package (£16 on top of the basic Sky subscription), you'll probably have more than enough films to watch. And even more movies if you've a Sky+HD box with Sky On Demand, as you can break away from the TV schedule and watch them whenever you want.
If this is the case, a monthly subscription to an online movie streaming service may not be the most MoneySaving way to get more films. Sky Box Office charges about £3.50 per film for the new releases; which is the same price as new releases on Lovefilm, Blinkbox and at Blockbuster.
You may be able to cut costs by haggling with Sky (and if you haven't already got Sky Movies, you could blag a free trial) though. For full info, see the Sky Haggling guide. And if you want to try streaming, browse the free online movie services before you sign up for anything.
How to watch online movies
Traditionally, streaming is done on a PC or laptop via the web, but it's possible to watch on your telly, games console, and even your smartphone too. This section outlines some of the options for streaming, and how to get the most from your service:
Connecting your laptop/PC to your TV?
Whether you have an older CRT TV or the latest flatscreen LCD model, it's possible to connect your TV to your laptop or PC, so you can watch online movies on a big screen. It isn't too techy either! We've created a little tool to help you find the right cables for your connection.
Before you do anything, make sure that you have:
- A compatible internet browser. When you sign up to an online streaming service, read its spec requirements as most won't play films unless you're using a compatible browser.
For example, Lovefilm suggests installing the latest version of either Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Apple Safari. You may also have to install the latest version of Microsoft Silverlight Player. - A new-ish PC/laptop. You should be running either Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or, if you've a Mac, OS 10.3+. Almost all recent laptops and PCs come with one of these, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Now, find the right cable(s) for your connection:
First of all, you need to check what sort of connection you have on your laptop/PC:
DISPLAYPORT
DISPLAYPORT
DVI
If your TV and/or laptop have different connections to those shown here, ask for help on the Online Movie Streaming forum discussion, or in-store. It's likely that the cables will be cheaper online than in-store though, so don't be pressured into buying anything there and then. Use the Megashopbot to compare prices.
Once set up with the right cables, you should be ready to watch. Just click the AV button on your remote (or 'input', as it's known on some TVs), until you find the picture that's showing on your PC.
Watching on a laptop or PC?
You can stream movies on a PC/laptop with minimal effort. To get the best viewing experience when streaming, you need:
- A compatible internet browser. When you sign up to a service, read its techie requirements and run films in a compatible browser.
For example, Lovefilm suggests installing the latest version of either Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Apple Safari. You may also have to install the latest version of Microsoft Silverlight Player. - A new-ish PC/laptop. You should be running either Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or, if you've a Mac, OS 10.3+. Almost all recent laptops and PCs come with one of these, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Watching via a games console?
All the newest games consoles are capable of streaming TV and films, when connected to the internet (either over wi-fi or via an 'ethernet' cable straight from your router).
The streaming services available to you will depend on your console:
Which service can I use on my console? | |||
---|---|---|---|
Streaming service | PS3 | Xbox 360 | Wii |
Lovefilm | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Netflix | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Now TV | |
Yes |
|
Blinkbox | Yes |
Yes |
|
Film4oD | Yes |
Yes |
|
YouTube | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Crackle | |
Yes |
|
It's important to note though, you may also have to pay an extra subscription to access these services. For example, if you've an Xbox 360, you'll need the Xbox Live membership, which works out to around £5/month, to use online Xbox services, including gaming and streaming.
Combining this extra cost with a subscription service like Now TV will mean your overall cost is higher. So watching via your console may not necessarily be the best route for you, unless you're already paying for these subscriptions for your online gaming.
Top online movie services
The streaming service that's right for you will depend on a number of things, such as how you're planning to watch, whether you want the latest releases or a library of older films, and of course, how much you want to pay. Here's a quick comparison table to help you decide:
Online streaming services compared | ||||
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Netflix | Lovefilm | Now TV | Blinkbox | |
Package price? | £5.99/month unlimited |
£4.99/month unlimited |
£8.99/mth for the first three months, then £15/mth |
Pay-per-view, films from 99p |
HD titles available? | Yes |
Yes, some |
No |
No |
How many titles available? | 2,000+ |
4,000
|
600+ |
10,000+ |
Can I watch new releases? | No |
Not included in package, £3.49 pay-per-view per film |
Yes, up to 20 new premieres are added every month |
Not included in package, £3.49 pay-per-view per film |
Which games console can I watch on? | Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 |
Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 |
Xbox 360 |
Xbox 360, PS3 |
Below is a bit more information about each of the services, including what you can watch on each, how much it'll cost you, plus any current deals for signing up.
You may be able to get cashback on top too.
Now TV - Watch Sky Movies without having SkyFree trial, then £9/Mth for three months, £15/mth Thereafter
- How much? Unlimited streaming free trial then £9/mth for the first three months, £15/mth thereafter
- How many films included? Around 600 films at any one time
- New releases? Yes, included
- HD available? No
- Min. broadband speed required? 2Mb
- How can I watch? Laptop/PC, selected Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Xbox 360, Youview boxes, Roku boxes
Last summer, satellite TV giant Sky launched Now TV* - an online movie streaming service to rival Lovefilm and Netflix. The service is effectively the Sky Movies and on-demand channels (not pay-per-view) from Sky, available to watch instantly, without a Sky subscription.
Did you sign up for our MSE Blagged cinema ticket offer in February?
This offer has now ended, but the info below has been left for reference.
How do I get the cinema tickets?
Get a code from below (new Now TV customers only)
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Sign up via this special Now TV* link (with payment details) to a free 30 day trial
Watch at least 90 minutes of streamed content within the 30 day free trial
Before the end of April you’ll be sent two Cineworld tickets (not valid on 3D films)
IMPORTANT: You won’t be charged in the first month, so can get the tickets for completely free, but if you don’t cancel within the first month, you will start being charged.
How much does it cost after the month’s trial? £8.99/mth for the first three months, then £15/mth after.
How do I cancel after the free trial? Just turn off the auto renew option. Sign in, go to My Account > Manage My Account > Select auto renew to "Off".
If you cancel your subscription before the end of the 30-day free trial, you will still be eligible for the cinema tickets, providing you have watched at least 90 minutes of content.
How do I get my cinema tickets? The cinema tickets will be sent in the form of an e-ticket, via the email address you use to sign up to Now TV. They'll be sent at the end of the free trial (before the end of April) - make sure you check your junk folders if you can't see them.
The tickets will expire three months from the date of issue. They can be used at any Cineworld, for any 2D film, on any days, subject to availability. To use the tickets, just book your seats online at Cineworld using the codes in the email.
Can I get cashback via a cashback site? No. Now TV says it won’t offer this deal in conjunction with cashback site's cashback.
Can I get code a code for a friend? No. Only the person signing up for the deal is eligible to use the code
How do I watch this on my TV? You need to connect a compatible device, the easiest way is if you’ve an Xbox, Youview or Roku box.
If not, provided you’ve got the right lead, you can connect up your laptop to your TV – see our which lead for me? tool.
What if I have any problems? If you have any problems using your code or getting the cinema tickets, please contact Now TV first, using it's online web chat service. Alternatively, if this is down, you can use the online contact form. If you can't get an answer to your question, please contact us via the Now TV forum thread.
More info
The service has 600+ of films to choose from - a decent chunk of which were in cinemas within the last year, eg currently it includes The Dictator, The Help, Cassadaga and more, with 20 new premieres a month.
For lovers of newer films its by far the most impressive of all the streaming services, so it's no surprise the long-term cost is higher.
How much? Now TV costs £8.99/month for the first three months, then £15/month thereafter. You'll get unlimited streaming from a choice of over 600 films, many of which are new releases and not available on Lovefilm, Netflix or Blinkbox yet.
Free 1 month trial: New customers who sign up online can get a free 30-day trial.
How good? The selection of films included in the package is the most impressive of all the streaming services, and mirrors what's showing on Sky Movies and available on Sky On-demand. Because of this, if you already have a Sky Movie subscription, it's probably not worth paying extra for Now TV
A taste of what's on offer: Included in the £8.99/mth package: The Adventures of Tintin, Happy Feet 2, Jack and Jill, Kramer vs. Kramer, Cassadaga, The Help, The Descendants.
Feedback: Discuss Now TV
Lovefilm - Cheapest unlimited streaming packageUnlimited movies online from £4.99/mth. 1 month free trial
- How much? Unlimited streaming from £4.99/mth
- New releases? Yes, £3.49 per film (Box Office)
- How many? Just under 4,000 titles, inc some HD
- Min. broadband speed required? 2Mb
- How can I watch? Laptop/PC, smart (internet-connected) TVs, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, iPad, or on your TV (connect device to TV).
As well as its well-established online DVD rental service, Lovefilm* also offers an unlimited streaming package for £4.99/month, giving instant access to just under 4,000 films and TV series.
More info
How much? Lovefilm Instant costs £4.99/month for unlimited streaming from a choice of just under 4,000 titles. There are an additional 1,000+ new releases, which are part of Lovefilm Box Office, which incur an extra cost of £3.49 on a pay-per-view basis.
If you'd like to rent physical DVDs as well, Lovefilm also offers DVD rental and streaming packages, eg, £7.99/month streaming and unlimited DVDs (one at home at a time) - see Cheap DVD Rental for more info.
Free 1 month trial: New customers who sign up online can get a free 30-day trial of Lovefilm Instant. Just cancel over the phone before the 30 days is up if you don't want to continue - otherwise you'll be charged £4.99/month. This offer is ongoing.
How good? The selection of films included in the package is only a fraction of what Lovefilm offers on DVD. So if you're looking for a vast library of movies, a combined streaming and DVD package may be best for you.
A taste of what's on offer: Included in the £4.99 package: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Sex and the City 2, Twighlight: Breaking Dawn, Downton Abbey Series 3 (TV series), The Hurt Locker, Goon, Inception.
Feedback: Discuss Lovefilm
Netflix - Unlimited HD films, but smaller selectionUnlimited movies, one-month free trial then £5.99/mth
- How much? Unlimited streaming for £5.99/month
- New releases? No
- How many? Over 2,000 titles, inc some HD
- Min. broadband speed required? 0.5Mb
- How can I watch? Laptop/PC, smart (internet-connected) TV, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, Android or Apple tablets or smartphones, or on your TV (connect device to TV)
Already hugely popular in the US, online film site Netflix* launched in the UK in Jan 2012. For £5.99/month, you can access around 2,000 films and TV shows instantly online. Special offers mean you can try it for free for 30 days.
More info
How much: You pay a flat fee of £5.99/month to watch as many films and TV shows as you like. However, Netflix currently only features around 2,000 films and TV shows, compared to the 4,000 included in Lovefilm's package.
Free 1 month trial: New customers that sign up online can get a free 30-day trial of Netflix. Just cancel online before the 30 days is up if you don't want to continue - otherwise you'll be charged £5.99/month. This offer is scheduled as on-going.
The offer involves setting up a 'recurring payment', where you agree to let money be taken regularly from your credit/debit card. This isn't as easy to cancel as a direct debit, if the company plays games. It hopefully won't be an issue in this case, but do double-check your bank statement (see Regular Payments for a full guide).
How good? The selection of films on Netflix is quite limited at the moment, but its back catalogue of TV shows is impressive.
Netflix works on some Apple and Android mobile devices too, so if you're using wi-fi, you can watch what you want while on-the-go. Be warned though, this could eat heavily into your mobile internet download limit - check with your mobile provider first if you're unsure, and read our FAQs for more info.
A taste of what's on offer: Pramface (series 1), Downton Abbey (series 1 & 2), The Only Way Is Essex (7 seasons), Shameless (series 1-8), 21 Jump Street, The Iron Lady, The Woman In Black, Shame, Transit.
Feedback: Discuss Netflix
Blinkbox - Best for pay-per-view recent releases Pay-per-view TV and movies from 99p PLUS get £4 free account credit
- How much? On a pay-per-view basis, prices start from 99p
- New releases? Yes, £3.49 per film
- How many? Over 10,000 titles, not HD
- Min broadband speed required? 2Mb
- How can I watch? Laptop/PC, Xbox 360, PS3, iPad, or on your TV (connect device to TV)
Deposit £1, get £5 free account credit:
New customers who sign up to Tesco-owned streaming site Blinkbox* and deposit £1 will get an extra £5 of free account credit.
There's no monthly contract with Blinkbox. You just pay for films and programmes as you watch them. It includes many recent Blockbusters.
How do I get it? Sign up for Blinkbox before 30 Mar 2013 and deposit £1 into your account using a credit/debit card. You can then use the credit to rent or buy any title on the site.
Anything else? The offer's not available to existing customers. The £5 free credit must be used within 31 days of sign up (the £1 credit will remain in your account until used). The credit cannot be used to watch anything via the Xbox 360 and iPad apps.
A good option for light movie watchers, Tesco-owned streaming site Blinkbox* has no monthly contract. You just pay for programmes as you watch them. You can also buy titles too, as you can with iTunes.
More info
How much: All content on Blinkbox is pay-per-view, and most recent releases cost £3.49. Older movies start from a competitive 99p.
How good: If you only want to watch the occasional film online, Blinkbox is competitive for pay-as-you-go films. However, if you want to watch more than one specific film a month, especially new releases, a Cheap DVD Rental subscription is probably more MoneySaving.
Unlike the other services mentioned above, Blinkbox also gives you the option to download the film to your PC so you can watch it at a later stage offline. You'll need to download the Blinkbox download manager if you want to do this.
Once the movie's finished downloading, you can watch it in Windows Media Player. You will be asked to enter your Blinkbox login details before you view the movie/TV episode.
A taste of what's on offer: Ted (£3.49), The Brothers Grimm (£2.49), Ice Age 4 (£3.49), Man On A Ledge (£2.49), Milk (£2.49), Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (99p), Boardwalk Empire (to buy, £1.89 per epsiode).
Feedback: Discuss Blinkbox
There are several other sites which let you pay to stream online movies legally. These include: Film4oD, YouTube and iTunes. The prices are much of a muchness, though if you want to rent a specific release, you may want to check all sites for belt and braces.
Netflix, unlike the others, does not currently offer new releases - so it may be worth considering this before you sign up for anything.
Can I get cashback on top?
It's often possible to grab extra cashback on top when you sign up for an online streaming package. Yet, to get it you need to sign up via a specialist cashback website rather than via the streaming service directly - this means you may not get the same incentives (vouchers, free trials etc) though.
Cashback websites use affiliate links to generate revenue, so if they get paid when you sign up, you'll get paid too. Unfortunately this cash is never guaranteed, as sometimes cashback sites don't "track" deals in progress, therefore it's generally best to pick the right streaming service first, and view any cashback as an added extra.
To find out more about how these sites can pay you, and how you can make the most of them, read the full Cashback Sites guide.
Free online movie streaming
If you're not that fussed about watching the latest blockbusters, several websites let you watch movies online for free - legally. Below are several we've checked out, but if you have any other suggestions, please add them to the Online Movie Streaming forum discussion.
Indie Movies Online. Awarded the accolade of "Best website to watch free movies" in the 2011 About.com Readers' Choice Awards 2011, Indie Movies Online has over 220 free films that you can watch instantly on your PC/laptop. Full info
As the website's name suggests, all the movies available on the site are made by independent film companies - but that doesn't mean they're not worth watching (definitely check out Daniel Day-Lewis' award-winning My Left Foot, and the all-star cast in Nobody's Fool).
Indies Movies Online says new content is being added constantly. All you have to do is register (for free) and you'll be sent an email each week with details about the new films the company has licensed.
The site is funded by advertising, and before each film you will have to endure a few minutes of adverts. But if you can put up with this, you'll be able to watch a plethora of movies, short films and documentaries from all over the world.
How many films: 220 What to watch: An American Werewolf In London, Just Like Home, My Left Foot, Nomads, Doppelganger, King Of New York.
Viewster Though it doesn't have any Hollywood blockbusters (yet), Viewster has a host of free films that you can stream, spanning action, thriller, war, horror, comedy, Bollywood and world cinema, including films from Turkey, Russia etc. More
At present the service is in beta format in the UK (ie, a testing phase), but you can still use it.
You will have to register before you can watch anything, and you will be subjected to around 8mins of adverts per 2-hour film, but unlike the other services, it does offer content in HD. Viewster says it updates its service with new titles "all the time".
How many films: 150+ What to watch: Subhysteria, The Brain That Wouldn't Die, Night Of The Living Dead.
Crackle If you're looking for free action, crime, horror or sci-fi films, American service Crackle may be for you. Owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, it has over 40 movies and 70 TV shows (including its own original movie insider show Why It Crackles). More
In the UK the service is available online, on the Xbox 360 and on internet-connected media player Roku. If you're watching online, you'll need either Internet Explorer 7.0 or above or Firefox 3 or above - other browsers are not supported by Crackle.
Crackle says its service is supported by advertising, and in an average 2-hour film, you can expect to see between 4-6mins of adverts.
There are no HD films available on the service yet, but Crackle says it adds new content on a monthly basis, so it won't be long before high-definition content is available.
How many films: 40 and 70+ TV shows What to watch: Envy, Anatomy, Rage And Honor, The Fan, The Wrecking Crew.
If you have any other suggestions, share them in the
Online Movie Streaming forum discussion
Watching movies online Q&A;
Here's a list of commonly asked questions. If you've other queries, please add them to the Watching Movies Online forum discussion.
Why does my film keep stopping and starting (buffering)?
When streaming a movie, the data is sent to you bit by bit. As each bit arrives, it is processed by your PC (or other device).
The online film provider will try to send the data to your device as smoothly as possible, but if your broadband connection isn't fast enough to process it, the film will keep pausing while the connection waits for the next bit of data to be sent, known as 'buffering'.
Most services recommend a connection speed of around 2MB to prevent buffering (check your speed with the Broadbandchoices online speed checker). If you find your broadband can't handle streaming a film, there are a few things that you can do to help speed up your connection:
- If you pause the film, it will continue to be streamed. This will queue up more of the film, so when you hit play, it should run more smoothly.
- Try switching from high-definition to standard definition (or 'normal resolution'). Streaming in HD requires more bandwidth, so will slow down the connection and could cause buffering.
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Turn off any other applications, such as MSN Messenger or iTunes, that could be running in the background - these use up vital bandwidth.
Also, if you (or someone else in your house) are downloading anything else, playing games etc, this will slow your connection speed and cause the film to buffer. -
If you're watching on a computer that's using a wireless signal, connecting it straight to your router with an ethernet cable will make a big difference. Because wireless signals travel through the air, they can weaken when they have to go through walls and furniture.
So, if you're watching a film upstairs in your bedroom but your router is downstairs in the living room, the signal could be intermittent, causing the film to buffer.
It may also be worth talking to your internet provider to see if your connection speed is being reduced at all. Your provider can reduce your connection for streaming at certain times of the day or on certain days of the week.
If your broadband is still too slow to stream a film without it buffering, consider switching to another provider with a faster service. Full info in Cheap Broadband.
How much of my download allowance will a film use?
Your broadband download allowance is a limit on the amount of data that can be transferred over your broadband connection.
Any internet use counts towards your total usage, whether you're actually downloading something or not. Even casual surfing or Facebook-ing will use up some of your allowance.
So, although you're not actually downloading a film when you stream, it will still use a large chunk of data. As a general rule:
- A standard definition (SD) film of about 90mins will use about 1.5GB of data
- A high-definition (HD) film of about 90mins will use about 3.5GB of data.
It's important you keep tabs on how much you're using, as unless you have an unlimited broadband package, you may be hit with gargantuan charges for going over your limit.
Likewise, if you're routinely watching Netflix or Lovefilm on a 3G mobile device, like an iPhone or iPad, and you're not using wi-fi, you run the risk of exceeding your mobile provider's data allowance.
For more info read the Cheap Broadband guide for home web deals with unlimited usage, and the Cheap iPhone and Cheap iPad guides for info about mobile data packages.
Is streaming movies safe and legit?
All of the streaming sites listed in this guide are 100% legal - even the free ones. But there are plenty of websites online that offer "free movie streaming" which aren't legal, and could put your PC/laptop at risk of viruses, malware and trojans.
So it's important you know how to protect yourself, both from the security threats and the fine and/or prison sentence you could face for streaming an illegal movie.
We spoke to online security expert Graham Cluley to get his advice on online streaming:
Am I breaking the law if I stream movies online? "It's not breaking the law if the site has permission to stream the movie! It's all to do with whether the site has struck a deal with the movie company to reproduce their movie in streaming form," says Cluley.
There is a plethora of free streaming sites available, and many are illegal, so it's important you know what to look out for when choosing one.
What should I be looking out for when choosing a site to stream online content? Cluley says: "You're obviously going to feel more comfortable when visiting a site which has a well-established brand."
Sites like Netflix and Lovefilm offer trusted, secure streaming services. A quick Google for "free online moving streaming" brings up a host of illegal sites - nine times out of 10, if it is offering the latest releases for free, it's not legit. It'll be a bootleg site which is streaming an illegal copy.
This could make you suceptible to viruses and other malware. Cluley's advice: "Go with a well-established name."
What about viruses/malware? Is streaming safe? If you're using a big name service, like Lovefilm, it will be safe. But be vigilant and look out for phonies. "Hackers have in the past created websites which attempt to trick you into installing malware (on the pretext of being a video plugin)," says Cluley.
"You should always run up-to-date antivirus software, and only download a Flash plugin, for instance, from Adobe's real website." The Flash site will tell you what version you have here.
What about pop-up blockers? "A site may ask you to disable pop-up blockers because it might prevent the playing of the video or because they plan to pop up adverts," says Cluley. "Either way, my advice would be to be wary of disabling such blockers."
So, will I be safe while streaming movies online? It's unlikely that a big-name streaming site such as Netflix or Lovefilm will pose a security risk, but you can never be too careful, as Cluley suggests: "Of course, any website (including legitimate) ones can be hacked - and have malware planted on them. Up-to-date antivirus software and security patches can protect you."
For more info about protecting your PC/laptop, see the Free Antivirus Software guide.