This is just a thread for us to post information on things that some wish they would have known ahead of time. Post more if you can think of any.
1)[/SIZE] Protect your steam account with your life. Do NOT use your username/password on other websites/forums and do not use your key or give your password to:
-Websites - [COLOR=‘DarkRed’]*[/SIZE] Not websites offering free games, free sex, or free anything. There are websites that phish for account details rather well so be careful.
-Your mom, brother, dad, sister or other relatives
-Your friends, pretend friends, bestest bestest friends in the whole wide world
-Im’s, Pm’s, or other messaging systems ANYWHERE
[COLOR=‘DarkRed’]*[/SIZE] The only places you should be keying your password into is the steam interface itself or https://steamcommunity.com/ (notice the S for SECURITY!)
2)[/SIZE] Be careful of outside programs that could compromise your account. Viruses, keyloggers, spyware… all of that is a potential issue for your steam account so be sure you have programs to keep you clean.
3)[/SIZE] Cheats or Modified core game files.
If you have done either of these things then you need to stay away from vac secured servers.
Example: You install and play PARANOIA which is a mod that clearly announces that it uses a modified opengl32.dll file. This is not a “cheat”, however because it uses a modified game file… and if you do not switch it back to the original game file before going on a vac secured server… you WILL BE FLAGGED FOR A VAC BAN.
4)[/SIZE] “OMG! I have been hijacked!” If for some reason your account IS stolen from you, here is some info to read:
Reclaiming a Hijacked Steam Account
Contacting VALVe Billing and Support
Account Security Recommendations
Here is a quick rundown in screenshots:
https://www.catzeyes93.com/images/SteamAccountHijackHelp
Here is a quick rundown in text:
You have a[color=darkorange] steam account to play games on
You have a [color=royalblue]steam forum account to post on these forums
You have a [color=red]steam support account for times you are having issues with your [color=darkorange]steam account
- Register a [color=red]steam support account here: https://support.steampowered.com/register.php
- Then go to create a support ticket here: https://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php
- Be sure to give them as much information about your steam account and what happened.
- Be prepared to offer them proof of ownership. (Purchase receipt, CC billing statement, jpg scan of cd key or other proof of purchase)
- You will be using your steam support account to check on the status of your ticket here https://support.steampowered.com/ticketlist.php as well as sending any additional requested info.
Note: Tickets are answered in the order they are received, however they normally are taken care of in 3 - 5 business days.
5)[/SIZE] “No thank you!” Be careful who you accept gifts from! Be VERY careful!
Example: Joe Shmoe is a Smuck. He stole his best friends mom’s credit card and went out and purchased a bunch of games with it. He then turned around and either gave them away via the “gift” system or he SOLD the games. The unsuspecting person receives this gift or game and assigns it to his uber leet kewl steam account that has over $200 dollars worth of games on it. A month later Steam disables the whole account due to credit card fraud. You heard me. They shutdown the whole account…not just the game that was purchased with a stolen credit card! So take care of where you get your games from!