![](\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2020\/03\/11033925\/steam-privacy-security-featured.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Credit to Author: Leonid Grustniy| Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:42:18 +0000<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are reading this post, it’s safe to assume that you have a Steam account. Unfortunately, in addition to Steam’s millions of bona fide gamers, the platform includes scammers looking to profit at others’ expense<\/a>. We tell you the security and privacy settings you can use to guard against them.<\/p>\n To keep your account from being hijacked, you need to protect it. This is where the security settings come in. To open them, in the app on your computer:<\/p>\n Another way to reach the very same settings in the desktop Steam app:<\/p>\n Is your Steam password short and guessable like 123456 or the name of a pet? Or do you use the same one as for your Facebook and\/or Gmail accounts? Then we recommend changing it right away.<\/p>\n We have a separate post about how to come up with (and not forget) a virtually unbreakable password<\/a>. And here’s why you should never reuse passwords<\/a>.<\/p>\n To change your Steam password:<\/p>\n Even the most reliable password will not help if it gets stolen \u2014 no one is insured against that, unfortunately. So be sure to enable two-factor authentication (2FA), which Valve calls Steam Guard. With 2FA, when you or anyone else tries to log into your account from an unknown device, Steam asks not only for your password, but for an additional code that is sent to your e-mail or generated in the mobile app.<\/p>\n These codes are updated automatically every 30 seconds, so it is almost impossible to guess them. What’s more, they work only once, so if you log in with it, no one else can.<\/p>\n By default, Steam sends those codes by e-mail. Here’s what to do if for some reason you disabled it or want to receive codes in the Steam mobile app (which we’ll cover in the next section):<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Receiving one-time codes by e-mail is rather slow and not very reliable because e-mail accounts often get hijacked. There is a better way: Steam lets you generate one-time codes in the mobile app. First, it’s safer. Second, the code is always generated instantly. Here’s how to set up Steam Guard on your phone:<\/p>\n If you forget to log out on someone else’s computer, or suspect that you’ve been hacked, you can force a logout on all devices save for the one that you are using. To do so, in the app on your computer:<\/p>\n Now the only person logged in to your account is you. Now is also the ideal time to change your password<\/a> and enable Steam Guard<\/a> to keep outsiders out of your account.<\/p>\n Cyberpoachers in search of accounts full of games and items are constantly creating fake sites to steal Steam logins and passwords. To lure users in, they post links in the comments section or elsewhere, promising things like game keys, free items, or huge discounts. If you swallow the bait, your credentials go straight to the scammers.<\/p>\n To protect you against this fatal mistake, Steam warns about links that lead to third-party sites. This option is available and active by default in the mobile app, but if for some reason you disabled it:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having an excessively public profile can cause problems. For example, if scammers see that you have expensive games or items in your collection, they are more likely to take an unwanted interest in your Steam account. And if you allow just anyone to leave comments on your page, don’t be surprised if you get flooded with spam and insults. Therefore, we recommend spending some time configuring restrictions on third-party access to the information in your profile.<\/p>\n Here’s where the settings are in the desktop version of Steam:<\/p>\n In the Steam mobile app, you can find them here:<\/p>\n If you don’t want strangers to see your profile at all, make it fully private. To do so:<\/p>\n Now only your name and avatar are visible to outsiders. These elements cannot be hidden, but on Steam there is nothing to stop you from using a fictitious name and a favorite anime character as your profile picture.<\/p>\n If you want to hide only some information (such as lists of games, or collections of skins) from outside eyes, use Steam’s privacy settings to tailor its visibility.<\/p>\n Screenshots and illustrations also do not have to be shown to everyone. You can limit their visibility at any time. The settings for each picture are individual; that is, you can choose for each image whether you want it to be visible to everyone, or shown only to friends, or maybe just for you.<\/p>\n To hide a new screenshot or illustration, select Private<\/em> or Friends only<\/em> under Visibility<\/em> in the upload window.<\/p>\n To hide an already uploaded screenshot or illustration:<\/p>\n Sometimes it is more convenient not to hide a picture, but to make it viewable by link only. That way, it will not appear in search results or the Steam community feed, allowing you to choose who to share it with. If the picture is new, select Private<\/em> under Visibility<\/em> in the upload window. If you want to restrict access to an already uploaded screenshot or illustration:<\/p>\n On the relevant pages of your profile, you can limit the visibility of videos, mods, and items created in the Steam Workshop as well.<\/p>\n Already hidden your most personal stuff? Now let’s deal with spam and trolling. To prevent strangers from posting comments or dropping questionable links in your profile, you can restrict access to comments. To do so:<\/p>\n Your profile is now configured, thank Gaben. Now your gaming life is much better protected than before. However, cybercriminals can still try to scam you \u2014 for example, by selling an already used game key<\/a> or asking to borrow an expensive item<\/a>. Be careful and don’t trust just anyone.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
How to protect your Steam account<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Your Steam password must be strong<\/h3>\n
\n
How to configure Steam Guard\u00a0\u2014 two-factor authentication on Steam<\/h3>\n
\n
How to set up Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator<\/h3>\n
\n
How to ensure that only you are logged in to your account<\/h3>\n
\n
How to guard against phishing links on Steam<\/h3>\n
\n
Configuring Steam privacy<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
How to hide your Steam profile from outsiders<\/h3>\n
\n
How to hide information about your games, items, and friends<\/h3>\n
\n
How to hide screenshots and illustrations on Steam<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
How to avoid spammers and trolls on Steam<\/h3>\n
\n
How to avoid leaking data, money, and items on Steam<\/h2>\n
\n