Unfortunately, our world is full of thieves and scammers who want to profit from trusty people. Alas, supply creates demand. So, do you want to know how to protect yourself from phishing/hacking/theft of skins in CS:GO? CS.MONEY Blog has prepared a guide to secure your items from scammers. And believe us, after last year’s events, you would like to hear that.
First, have you read the Steam trading guide and FAQs? We have something to add.
Protect CS:GO Inventory
Let’s start with the easiest thing to control. That is, yourself. No matter how much money is stolen from you, Valve won’t make up for the loss. Therefore, only your vigilance and attention will help you escape the most common and popular types of scams. Namely:
- Fake websites like steamcornmunity.com where RN replaces M, and it’s unnoticeable at first sight.
- Third-party trading sites like besttradecsgo2023 or whatever. Use only proven trading platforms with reviews.
- Logging in on suspicious websites: torrent trackers, manga libraries, or simple links when searching for “free photoshop” on Google. Don’t do that, seriously.
- Browser plugins that “track prices”, “find buyers for skins”, and so on.
- Even a request to “leave a comment on your profile” can lead to a hack, but more later.
When visiting such links, you often need to enter your data (Steam login-password), and that’s it; consider your skins lost. Well, in general, never download archives from suspicious sites and try to avoid pirate/unlicensed programs as they can contain viruses of all sorts that steal not only the Steam log-pass but also the data of saved credit cards and much more.
Of course, enable Steam’s two-factor authentication using the mobile app. This is the best and most reliable protection: without it, no one will be able to log in using your account, not even to mention completing a trade/sale.
Let’s end with this: never accept trade offers that look disadvantageous to the offerer. For example, someone throws you a trade: three knives in exchange for yours. Obviously, this is done either by a complete fool or a scammer. And if a fool can be pitied and forgiven, a scammer can simply be ignored and blacklisted.
By the way! Do not forget that your friends can also be hacked. This way, they can, for example, ask to “lend a knife for a week.” Always double-check such requests in your messengers!
Secure Steam API
Even though Valve does its best to guard the platform against all sorts of hackers, scammers and cheaters, it is simply impossible to completely protect the users and their inventories. There will always be new versions of hacking apps, scam schemes, and so on.
In short: if a scammer receives your Web API, they can spoof your trade and you won’t notice how your AWP Dragon Lore with two Kato14 stickers has already gone to someone else’s account, although you planned to get something else for it.
“But I was vigilant and never entered my data anywhere!” you might say. Really? Not even, perhaps, five years ago when you logged in to a skin-selling website or a giveaway? Imagine that the data from this site was sold before closing. Or it was simply hacked. The scammers now have your Web API or Steam log-pass. Never let your guard down!
So, first, you need to check the Steam API. Visit this link and check if it has your Web API key listed. Bad news if it does. Otherwise, chill: your account has not been hacked!
How To Reset Steam API
If, nevertheless, your account is at risk, you need to follow these instructions:
- Change your password. Better make it a little more complicated, but learn by heart.
- Sign out of your account on all devices. Click here. And reset your two-factor authentication there.
- Cancel your Steam API using this link. Don’t create a new one.
- Also, update your unique trade link. Inventory » Trade Offers » Who can send me trade offers?
By the way, we’ve made a separate trustworthy plugin for Google Chrome that helps detect scams. It has a database of trusted websites and a scam threat detector. We won’t persuade you to install it, but it could be helpful for traders of all sorts (experienced and beginners).
That’s all! Remember: even an experienced user can be scammed. Stay focused, trade only on trusted platforms and double-check all offers. Well, or use CS.MONEY Market: no trade bots, direct P2P exchange, and quick cash withdrawals!
