Ways to Prevent Computer Virus Infection?

[ObjectiveGeeseGoose]

I just had to secure my account due to an unfortunate series of events.
Is there anything I should know in terms of keeping your account secure from malware, besides the obvious 'Don't click on bad links etc'?

And while were on the topic of that, in the event that you Are in danger of a hijack, how would you fix you computer?

[nullable]

Wipe the C: drive, reinstall Windows.

But in general an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. And not much will replace knowledge and experience. But that kind of knowledge isn't fun for most people, so they'll opt for a pound of cure in most cases.

[Lilim]

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

And while were on the topic of that, in the event that you Are in danger of a hijack, how would you fix you computer?

Take the following steps to secure your account:

1. Scan for malware. https://www.malwarebytes.com/
2. Check that the email and phone number on the Steam account are still yours.
3. Deauthorize all other devices. https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage
4. Change passwords from a clean computer.
5. Generate new backup codes for your Mobile App. https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage
6. Revoke the API key (there should be no key). https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey
(7. Change your Trade URL)

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

I just had to secure my account due to an unfortunate series of events.

What actually happened?

[ObjectiveGeeseGoose]

Publicado originalmente por nullable:

Wipe the C: drive, reinstall Windows.

But in general an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. And not much will replace knowledge and experience. But that kind of knowledge isn't fun for most people, so they'll opt for a pound of cure in most cases.

Wipe the C: drive and reinstall windows? There are other options.
I know you don't really care, but here's what I did:

1: Installed Malwarebytes and completed selective purge of any suspicious items.
2: Changed Password.
3: De-authorized all devices with access to my account.

It worked and so far, all is well.

[Lilim]

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

Wipe the C: drive and reinstall windows? There are other options...

...unless you can't get rid of the malware.

[ObjectiveGeeseGoose]

Publicado originalmente por Lilim:

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

And while were on the topic of that, in the event that you Are in danger of a hijack, how would you fix you computer?

Take the following steps to secure your account:

1. Scan for malware. https://www.malwarebytes.com/
2. Check that the email and phone number on the Steam account are still yours.
3. Deauthorize all other devices. https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage
4. Change passwords from a clean computer.
5. Generate new backup codes for your Mobile App. https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage
6. Revoke the API key (there should be no key). https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey
(7. Change your Trade URL)

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

I just had to secure my account due to an unfortunate series of events.

What actually happened?

Alright, here's what happened.

10:30 EST: I received friend request from unknown user. I accepted it.
10:31 EST: I received link for free 50$ steam gift card. I will not show the link for obvious reasons.
10:31 EST: I clicked on the link, which took me to Steam in my browser, and asked me to sign-in. Afterwards I clicked out immediately.
10:31 EST: I attempted to communicate normally. Instead, I was sent the link 2 more times.
10:36 EST: I attempted final communication. No answer received.
10:36 EST: I reported the user, along with having blocked and un-friended.

[Lilim]

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

I received link for free 50$ steam gift card. I will not show the link for obvious reasons.

It's a phishing link (the "free 50$ giftcard" is a well known scam). There is usually no malware involved.

Your account is fine if you didn't enter your login details (including the guard code).

[ObjectiveGeeseGoose]

Publicado originalmente por Lilim:

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

I received link for free 50$ steam gift card. I will not show the link for obvious reasons.

It's a phishing link (the "free 50$ giftcard" is a well known scam). There is usually no malware involved.

Your account is fine if you didn't enter your login details (including the guard code).

Alright, thanks.

On more thing, how do I know that that person will be removed?
I had another phishing incident a couple years back. I reported that person, but he just changed his name and got away with it.

[Lilim]

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

On more thing, how do I know that that person will be removed?
I had another phishing incident a couple years back. I reported that person, but he just changed his name and got away with it.

That person is most likely just another user who has fallen for the gift card scam. The scammer now uses their account to send out more phishing links.

From another thread:

Publicado originalmente por Lilim:

Visit your friend's profile and click Report player -> They are involved in theft, scamming, fraud or other malicious activity -> Their account seems to have been compromised.

Tell them that you receive suspicious links from that account.

Steam Support will then investigate and take action if necessary.

That's all you can do.

[ObjectiveGeeseGoose]

Publicado originalmente por Lilim:

Publicado originalmente por Dark Wing Duck:

On more thing, how do I know that that person will be removed?
I had another phishing incident a couple years back. I reported that person, but he just changed his name and got away with it.

That person is most likely just another user who has fallen for the gift card scam. The scammer now uses their account to send out more phishing links.

A shame. Well, thank you. I certainty won't be accepting random FR's anymore.