What is steamguard?

[BridgetFisher]

Does this really work to protect my account? What is it? Pretty sure never entered a phone number to get a txt for security so what does steamguard do? Or did it take the phone number to verify via txt like FB or Gmail does?

[muckymucks]

Steam Guard protects your account with two-tier security. If you enter your Steam account user name and password on a device Steam is unfamiliar with it sends a code to your email you need to enter in order to progress.

This only really works if you don't have the same password for both Steam and your email. You also need to turn on Steam Guard if you want to use the Market, so there's an incentive.

[BridgetFisher]

Originally posted by muckymucks:

Steam Guard protects your account with two-tier security. If you enter your Steam account user name and password on a device Steam is unfamiliar with it sends a code to your email you need to enter in order to progress.

This only really works if you don't have the same password for both Steam and your email. You also need to turn on Steam Guard if you want to use the Market, so there's an incentive.

Thanks, that makes sense why each time I get a new computer it sends that code. If they stole someones name/password couldnt they also have stolen their email login info just as easy I would imagine? :o

Maybe that is why Gmail or Facebook and paypal use the phone number because then they would need to steal your phone? Id feel better protected if in the future we could add our phone number for an additional security measure :D

[«Gғм» Kid Of The Century]

Originally posted by BridgetFisher:

Thanks, that makes sense why each time I get a new computer it sends that code. If they stole someones name/password couldnt they also have stolen their email login info just as easy I would imagine? :o

If you have enough common sense to:

• Have an unique password for your Steam Account,
• Have an unique (or at least not overused) password for your contact email,
• Choose your passwords sufficiently hard to guess (no ABC123, your MMDDYY birthdate or your family name),
• Keep your PC clean and secured,
• Not use your account anywhere indiscriminately (Internet cafés, friends' PCs),
• Neither add every user who asks you to (ok, if you're a trader this might not be an option), nor enter your credentials anywhere else than the real Steam portal (the "Sign in through Steam" green button)

You're pretty much safe.

I can't really feel sympathy for those who fell for "Please enter your Steam Account/Steam Password/contact email/contact email password here or upload this .ssfn random file you find in your Steam Folder to get free games!"

[BridgetFisher]

Originally posted by «Gғм» Kid Of The Century:

Originally posted by BridgetFisher:

Thanks, that makes sense why each time I get a new computer it sends that code. If they stole someones name/password couldnt they also have stolen their email login info just as easy I would imagine? :o

If you have enough common sense to:

• Have an unique password for your Steam Account,
• Have an unique (or at least not overused) password for your contact email,
• Choose your passwords sufficiently hard to guess (no ABC123, your MMDDYY birthdate or your family name),
• Keep your PC clean and secured,
• Not use your account anywhere indiscriminately (Internet cafés, friends' PCs),
• Neither add every user who asks you to (ok, if you're a trader this might not be an option), nor enter your credentials anywhere else than the real Steam portal (the "Sign in through Steam" green button)

You're pretty much safe.

I can't really feel sympathy for those who fell for "Please enter your Steam Account/Steam Password/contact email/contact email password here or upload this .ssfn random file you find in your Steam Folder to get free games!"

Thanks for the advice. I do keep my PC clean but always worry that maybe something wont be detected? Out of the list I can say that all of it is followed for me but the virus part is worrying to think it could take someones account with no way to get it back. Thats scary

[Hasan1402]

1

[Val]

Hello there,

Steam made a FAQ sheet on how to secure your account - this includes Steam Guard and other suggestions.
Account Security Recommendations.

Beware of scams too: Avoiding Scams.

[BridgetFisher]

Originally posted by Mr Blonde:

Hello there,

Steam made a FAQ sheet on how to secure your account - this includes Steam Guard and other suggestions.
Account Security Recommendations.

Beware of scams too: Avoiding Scams.

Thanks for sharing that, the part about mods is scary how a mod can hijack your account, that is why I dont use steam workshop yet, always scared it will take all our accounts. Is steam workshop safe or is that a reference to external mods or third party from the internet? I always wondered but is steam workshop guaranteed 100% safe?

[Val]

I use mods downloaded from Steam Workshop and there is no issue regarding account hijacking - so I reckon it's safe. But if you're unsure, you can always check the mod's credibility by reading other users' comments on the mod's page or look it up on the web. Top rated / Most downloaded mods are probably the safest option.