Steam data leak: what we know and how to protect your account
Reports of a Steam security breach affecting 89 million accounts have raised concerns, but new findings suggest Valve isn’t linked to the alleged leak.
A cybersecurity firm initially reported that 89 million Steam accounts had been compromised, with personal data supposedly being sold on the dark web. Early speculation pointed to Twilio, a third-party provider used for SMS authentication, as the possible source of the breach.
However, further analysis suggests that Valve does not use Twilio for Steam’s security services, raising doubts about the connection between the leaked data and Steam accounts. As of now, Valve has not confirmed any security breach affecting its platform.
What do we actually know about the breach?
- The cybersecurity firm Underdark.ai first reported that a hacker named Machine1337 was selling Steam account data on the dark web for $5,000.
- The leaked data allegedly includes two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, phone numbers, and metadata.
- Some early reports speculated that Twilio’s systems had been breached, but Valve has denied any connection to Twilio’s services.
- No official confirmation has been made by Valve regarding any kind of security breach.
Since the reports remain unverified, it’s unclear whether the leaked data is legitimate or exaggerated. However, taking extra security steps is always a smart move.
What should Steam users do?
Even if Steam itself wasn’t hacked, it’s still a good idea to:
- Change your Steam password to ensure protection.
- Enable Steam Guard two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra security layer.
- Check your account for unusual activity such as unexpected login attempts.
- Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts to reduce risk.
While the situation remains unclear, following good security practices can help protect your personal data.
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