How to Improve Your Steam Account Security

If you’re new to Steam, you might not be aware of all the ways you can enhance your account’s security. In this article, we’ll cover the different options available to help keep your Steam account safe.

Why Should You Care About Steam Account Security?

When you first start using Steam, you may not have many purchased games, so it might not seem necessary to worry about security. However, this approach can be risky in the long run. Ideally, you should secure your account as soon as you register.

Protecting Future Purchases

The most obvious reason to strengthen your security is to protect the games you’ll buy in the future. Steam frequently holds sales where games are extremely affordable, making it easy to build a sizable collection quickly.

If a hacker gains access to your account, they’ll have control over your entire library until you take steps to recover it. By securing your account now, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble later and keep your games safe.

Unlocking Additional Features

Certain features in Steam are locked until you increase your account’s security level. Even if you’re not worried about your game collection, these hidden features might be of interest.

Steam is more than just a video game store. On its marketplace, users can buy and sell cosmetic and collectible items for real money. This makes account security even more important, as you don’t want hackers to access your account and sell your items.

To prevent such scams, users without Steam Guard enabled cannot participate in trading. Even after activating Steam Guard, you’ll need to wait 15 days before all features become fully available. So, it’s best to secure your account as soon as possible.

What Is Steam Guard?

Steam Guard is a tool that significantly boosts your account’s security and is one of the easiest ways to protect your game library.

Steam Guard uses two-factor authentication (2FA) linked to your email address or the mobile app. When you log in from a new device, depending on your settings, you’ll be asked to enter a code sent to your email or generated by the app.

Steam Guard is so secure that even Gabe Newell, Valve’s CEO, publicly revealed his account during the system’s launch, and no one was able to hack it.

How to Set Up Steam Guard

Method 1: Email Authentication

You can set up Steam Guard so that when you log in from a new location, you receive a message to your email. To activate this feature, you need a verified email address.

1. First, check your inbox for a verification email from Steam and click the link to confirm your address.
2. Next, log out of Steam and restart the application twice. To fully exit Steam, right-click the icon in the system tray and select Exit.
3. After these steps, Steam Guard should activate automatically. If not, click Steam in the top left corner, then select Settings.
4. Click Manage Steam Guard Account Security to check if Steam Guard is enabled.

Tip: You can also enable two-factor authentication for your email service for extra protection.

Method 2: Mobile App Authentication

If you prefer using your phone instead of email, you can use the Steam mobile app for two-factor authentication. Just link your account to the app.

1. Download the Steam app for iOS or Android, depending on your device.
2. Log in to the app with your Steam account.
3. Tap the menu icon on the left and select Steam Guard.
4. Press Add Authenticator.
5. If your phone number is already linked to your account, Steam will send you a code via SMS. If not, you’ll need to add your phone number first.
6. Enter the code you receive to complete the setup.
7. You’ll also receive a recovery code—write it down and keep it in a safe place in case you ever need to remove the authenticator.

Now, whenever you log in from a new device, you’ll need to enter the code shown in the Steam Guard section of the mobile app.

Adding a Phone Number

By adding your phone number, Steam can send you text messages to help recover your account if it’s stolen or you forget your password. You’ll also be able to move your mobile authenticator to a new phone.

1. Open the Steam client, click your username in the top right corner, and select Account Details.
2. Click Add a phone number and follow the instructions to verify your number.

Once added, Steam can use your phone as a backup security method.

Logging In to Third-Party Sites with Steam

Sometimes, a website may ask you to log in with your Steam account. This is usually for sites that scan your purchases to provide specific services.

If a legitimate site requests your Steam login, it will use an official method that redirects you to the Steam Community login page. You’ll log in there, and Steam will only share the necessary information with the third-party site—your account details remain secure.

Always make sure the redirect goes to https://steamcommunity.com/ and that the site uses an HTTPS certificate. If not, do not enter your login details.

Never enter your Steam credentials on sites that don’t use the official login method. Legitimate sites will always use secure, authorized methods.

Conclusion

Steam is one of the best services in the gaming industry, but its popularity also attracts hackers. Fortunately, Steam’s developers have implemented strong security measures to protect your account.

By following the tips in this article, your Steam account will be much more secure.