How to prevent my account from being hacked!

[Ardavan2150]

Hi all,

Recently I have seen a lot of topics about hacked accounts and requests of help for getting back these accounts.

I know no one in their right mind will ever try to hack a shitty "member" account with only 11 merits (i.e. yours truly), regardless, what should I do to prevent this from happening to me. I have a very strong password, bookmarked this website and only sign on using my personal computer. Anything else that I should do?

Thank you all

[1715269178]

1715269178

[Velkro]

Anything else that I should do?

Many things actually. Care about computer hygiene. Don't download and execute files you are not sure about their trusted source.
Always be vigiliant about phishing websites (check address bar carefully).
There are so many rules that its hard to describe them all, experience matters here.

[OmegaStarScream]

A hack does not necessarily target a single user. It's very possible that someone is trying to crack accounts by using credentials that were leaked from this forum in the past or even other websites.

Aside from using a strong password and having a clean computer, make sure to stack an address that you can sign an address from, that way, even If you get hacked in the future, the administration will help you get your account back.

[Marcel555]

As already stated there is a thread on here where users can stake an address linked to their profile and it can be used to prove ownership should one lose control of the account.
The recovery process is a little slow (although there are motions to automate it).

Always do your part to ensure your safety, use a strong password and keep it safe not to lose it.
Protect your email and password from unauthorized access.
Avoid phishing links.

[DTalk]

Here you go- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4920096.msg44294262#msg44294262

[Buttermellow]

Many things actually. Care about computer hygiene. Don't download and execute files you are not sure about their trusted source.
Always be vigiliant about phishing websites (check address bar carefully).
There are so many rules that its hard to describe them all, experience matters here.

Good thing to know that I am not computer wizard that always looking for some application to download to modify computer set up. It is sometimes a help to not do anything about the computer except the monthly maintenance i.e. running computer virus scanner system. And definitely I agree with you stating that experience does really matter here. I have experience already getting phished out by an offer that lead me to disclose account details (not in BCT) including password of that account, its email and password. So, I am now more careful with hacking activities.

[Ardavan2150]

Don't download and execute files you are not sure about their trusted source.

I never thought about that. Since I am using a MacBook I always have had the feeling that I am much more secured compared to Windows users. But you are right. I will be more vigilant from now on.

[DdmrDdmr]

<…>I never thought about that. Since I am using a MacBook I always have had the feeling that I am much more secured compared to Windows users. But you are right. I will be more vigilant from now on.

Apple environments are safer in terms of there being less malware, but are certainly not immune. Just this week there was some news related to a Mac app called Conticker (see https://9to5mac.com/2018/10/30/cointicker). The app is used to keep track of cryptocurrency price on the menu bar, but now allegedly serves as a backdoor that could lead to your crypto actives being stolen.

Regardless, phishing sites are not too difficult to fall for either. Simply by performing a standard google search with the term "Bitcointalk" and some other refinement criteria will often show amongst the top entries links to the Bitcointalk site ending in "to" and not "org". That is a phishing site, and if you decide to perform a login there after the external search, your credentials will end up being seriously compromised and likely hacked in the short term. For searches, it is always recommendable to search using the "site:bitcointalk.org"  particle.

The link provided by @DTalk leads to a very good guide by @sncc with some important security guidelines to consider.