89 million Steam accounts leaked? Right here’s what to do

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As a PC gamer, you'll have already seen some alarm across the net concerning Steam—headlines saying 89 million Steam accounts hacked. However you shouldn’t panic.

The stories stem from a submit on the darkish net, the place an alleged hacker provided up supposed information from tens of millions of Steam accounts, together with one-time codes used for two-factor authentication (2FA). Sounds dangerous, proper? Besides when Twilio, the third-party service that powers the 2FA textual content message codes for Steam, was requested for remark, the corporate instructed BleepingComputer it had not discovered any proof of a breach or leak.

In the mean time, nevertheless, a number of retailers have printed the unique declare—in addition to a follow-up from X/Twitter person Mellow_Online1, who says they have been instructed by Valve no relationship exists between Steam and “Trillio.” (A potential typo, as Mellow_Online1 refers to Twilio in a follow-up submit on X.)

So what’s the deal? As BleepingComputer factors out, this knowledge may recommend a leak within the supply system for textual content messages—considered one of three main the reason why safety specialists don’t suggest receiving 2FA codes by means of SMS. (The opposite two? Somebody may steal your telephone quantity to obtain codes, or they might redirect the codes to their very own system with out you realizing.) This isn't a Valve drawback, although. It’s sadly a recognized weak spot in how textual content messaging works.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PXL_20250514_211623276-cr.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Steam Authenticator" class="wp-image-2783212" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> Utilizing a cell app for two-factor authentication codes is way more safe than through SMS/textual content message. Alaina Yee / Foundry

Replace (5/14/2025, 3:20pm PT): Talking of Valve, the corporate simply confirmed in a Steam Group submit that no Steam methods have been breached. The leaked knowledge additionally doesn't “affiliate the telephone numbers with a Steam account, password data, fee data, or different private knowledge.” Valve additionally says to treat any account safety messages you didn’t request (e.g., by asking for a 2FA code or making an account change) with suspicion.

Whereas this example is probably going nothing to fret about, your account might be nonetheless in danger for different causes. Chances are high, your password is weaker than you suppose. (Simply take a look at how briskly fashionable GPUs can crack passwords.) And also you’re in all probability not utilizing two-factor authentication but.

Bump up your password to one thing robust, random, and distinctive. Activate Steam Guard now, too. The higher technique for getting codes will likely be by means of the Steam Cellular App in your telephone.

Already utilizing a great password and Steam Guard? For peace of thoughts, you may nonetheless change your password (which must be easy and quick when you use a password supervisor). Additionally swap to the Steam Cellular App as your 2FA technique when you haven’t already.

When you’re updating your Steam safety, you'll want to look over the listing of licensed gadgets linked to your account, too. Take away any that you simply don’t acknowledge.

You could not have the ability to belief the claims made in darkish net discussion board posts, certain. However strengthening your safety is a course of you may put weight behind—and also you get full management over it, too.