Imagine that the relative number 4 has begged-pleaded-beseeched you for temporary access to Netflix because they heard Stranger Things is excellent and they plan to binge the first season in a weekend. Logic tells us that the classic answer for someone like the relative number 4 should be a firm NO, but a Chrome-compatible extension called AccessURL lets you share Netflix and other services without handing over the password. All links have an expiration date, and you can revoke access whenever you want.
In my personal case, it was actually neighbor number 2 rather than relative number 4, and they didn't want the Netflix account but the WiFi. In my mind, I activated the "basic courtesy package" and proceeded to explain that my entire WiFi network is dedicated to my work, with servers and other devices connected, so I couldn't spare even an extra bit of bandwidth. In short, let's say Pinocchio has competition (?). Had I said yes, the story would have ended with me changing my WiFi password and a congested router reporting half a dozen connected computers. Now, let's move that to a Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Instant Video account, or a similar service. News travels, rumors fly, and username-password combinations move at rocket speed. Let's assume that maybe you do want to share access, but you want to maintain some control on your side. What can you do about it?
How AccessURL Works
A new and recent solution is AccessURL, a Chrome extension that handles sharing access to certain services without giving away credentials. Essentially, what AccessURL does is generate a unique and secure link for the user in question, and with a single click they can use the service without knowing your username or password. The most interesting part of AccessURL is that it enables two control methods. On one hand, links can be permanent, expire in 24 hours, or last a full week, and on the other hand, if any erratic behavior is detected, there is a mechanism to revoke access immediately.
For now, AccessURL is a Chrome-only extension, and it is important to note that it does not store credentials on its server; instead, its operation is based on the presence of cookies. All data is encrypted end-to-end with AES, so there shouldn't be security issues. Still, AccessURL is taking its first steps (version 1.0.1). If you're going to share a service, make sure it's with someone responsible.
