[Guide] Keep Your Account Safe

[stevenw9]

I've been playing WoW for quite some time and have been considered a 'leecher' on MMOwned all the while. With that, i've decided to give some much needed advice to keep peoples accounts safe. Many people, especially some friends of mine have had their accounts stolen without even so much as breathing a letter about their account name.



{Password}
The strongest passwords consist of the following. Some lower case letters, some upper case letters and some numbers.

I have also found that specific combinations can help such as: ColorObject##

This is a good idea to build off of, but do not use this -exact- method, because obviously it's going to be known now.

"Another thing about passwords, make them longer than 8 characters. I prefer mine to be 12+ depending on what it is a password for.

More characters = more secure password " - Dead_Dwarf



{Anti-virus/spyware/adware}
ThreatFire is your friend guys. It's free. I have found it is superior to the following 'protection' systems: Norton, Avast, Spybot, Adaware, McAfee, Trend Micro, Webroot, CA and more.

"ThreatFire is dramatically different to traditional antivirus software. Normal antivirus products usually need to have first identified and seen a threat before they can provide adequate protection against it. The protection is then provided via a signature or fingerprint update, which must first be written by an antivirus researcher. This creates a large window of time where threats are undetected and can therefore infect your PC even when you have antivirus software installed." - ThreatFire Website



{Firewall}
Let's get this straight guys and gals, Windows Firewall is a piece of crap and we all know it. Get yourself a router if you don't have one already, it has an adequet firewall for you.



{Flash}
Get Flash version 9.0.124.0 or higher, or you risk having your computer exploited and having your account stolen. This warning was given by Blizzard, a simple Google search will find their article for more, and probably useless info.



{Firefox 2/3 or IE7}
Upgrade to one of those two browsers. I personally suggest Firefox 3, but it doesn't sit well for everyone. This will greatly increase your security if you have not done this already. Keep aware of your browsers security settings, they can normally be found under Options/Tools or such similiar buttons in the browser.



{Noob Moments}
Finally, don't be a noob. Do NOT try to buy powerleveling, do not ask a friend to level for you, etc. This is one of the largest sources of account theft, play it smart. On a side note, a website has been floating around stating it gives 10 FREE LEVELS, and other variants of the number. It is fake, it is a scam. 'Free' is not what they have in mind.



{Closing Statement}
I hope this helps you improve the security of your account. I have followed these steps myself, and have never had a problem. Good luck and happy hunting!

P.S. You could save yourself a lot of trouble and get a Mac. Rofl.

[Opirity1]

edit: have to wait for the cooldown 24hrs

thats a cool guide +rep fo you

[Xubi]

I would say that this is just common sense... But the thing about threatfire i will try out

[stevenw9]

I would say that this is just common sense... But the thing about threatfire i will try out

Most of it is, but there's actually a lot here that some people ignore/miss.

[Sicco]

Oh, And many p*rn sites have virus/spyware!

[Dead_Dwarf]

Another thing about passwords, make them longer than 8 characters. I prefer mine to be 12+ depending on what it is a password for.

More characters = more secure password

Well as long as you use the already mentioned guidelines. (using Upper/Lower case letters, numbers and if allowed special characters.)

[grakka123]

You forgot to tell them the probarly most important. Use the "remember account name" thingy on loggin screen to avoid beeing keylogged. Because it doesn't mather if 1000 people know your password if they dont know your account.

[paraDOX88]

Another thing about passwords, make them longer than 8 characters. I prefer mine to be 12+ depending on what it is a password for.

More characters = more secure password

Well as long as you use the already mentioned guidelines. (using Upper/Lower case letters, numbers and if allowed special characters.)

How does that help? usually accounts get hacked by keyloggers and no matter how long or intriquite the password is, it can get recorded.

[Xubi]

A little trick is that you change your password every 7-10 days whit about 2 letters or numbers.

[gamerchamp]

thank you man this is a very useful guide

[Zergy555]

Account names are easier to get than passwords, always change it. I personaly change it once or twice a day, and using 2 anti spyware/virus programs, aswell as a router.