Should you change your password after the steam truck? This cyber security expert says yes

If your telephone number was exposed to one of the 89 million in the recent data injury that DAMP affected, the company is involved that your information is secure. In a explanation shared with CNET, Steam denied that a reported data violation endangered the personal data of its users.

“Old text messages cannot be used to violate the security of your Steam account, “says the explanation.” Whenever a code is used to change your Steam -E email or password using SMS, you will receive confirmation by e -mail and/or Steam Secure messages. ”

The company also said that the violation was not a steam system and that you do not have to change your password. According to Steam, the infiltrated information cannot be bound to Steam accounts, passwords or payment information.

However, your telephone number still identifies information in person and can give fraudsters more ammunition for targeted phishing campaigns. Changing your password is an easy step to support your account defense.

Here are some additional ways to protect your account.

What was leaked?

Only from Underdark, a cyber security company, reported via LinkedIn, did the information appear for 89 million Steam accounts for sale on the dark web. Steam denies that the leak comes from one of its systems and the origin of the violation remains unconfirmed. The data allegedly contain unique passwords and telephone numbers of the users. The threat player says that he is auctioning this information for 5,000 US dollars.

Should you worry that your phone number is leaked?

“Not too long ago, an exposed telephone number was not even regarded as a injury, since most of us shared it publicly anyway,” said the expert of cyber security, Neal O'Farrell, a member of the CNET Expert Review Board.

“But now a telephone number is so closely linked to our identity – try it without accessing it – it is a main goal for criminals.”

Steam said that users do not have to update their passwords what CNET recommended in an earlier version of this story. However, the company regularly recommended checking its Steam account.

However, if you are concerned about a security violation, changing your password is an intelligent step. If you have a Steam account, it doesn't hurt to change your password now to keep your game library and financial information safe.

How to protect your Steam account

Even if it may not be necessary, it does not hurt for Steam Account owners to change their passwords. At least this helps to secure your account.

If you want to go one step further, you can use a password manager to create complex passwords and save them for you.

Steam also recommended that Steam Mobile Authenticator, which enables two-factor authentication with your telephone number and email. 2FA is a simple step that makes it much more difficult for non -authorized users to access their account. Steam does not support the use of hardware security keys that can offer another level of protection. Therefore, internal 2FA will be the best choice to protect your account.

If you have already activated 2FA, check your e -mails for suspicious activities that are linked to your Steam account.

Here you will find out how to change your Steam password:

1. Open your Steam customer
2. Click Steam in the upper left corner and select “Settings”
3. Click “Security” to make sure that 2FA is activated. Add your e -mail/telephone number if you haven't done it yet.
4. Select “Change password” above
5. Place a strong password with symbols, capital and lower letters, numbers and as long as possible.

If you have recently received any unique password text messages that you have not requested, ignore them and change your password again. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for all phishing attempts that are disguised as game product offers or other steam content.

“Apart from the change of all passwords, even if the company says there is no need, you have to go to constant guard for phishing -e emails, texts and calls that are connected to this violation,” said O'Farrell. “And if your telephone provider allows it, activate the SIM protection to prevent thieves from switching their number.”

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