How do I protect my pokerstars account from being hacked?

I have some money on there but how do I prevent my account from getting hacked? Sorry for dumb question, just wondering

Make sure your password is complicated. You can change it through the main lobby. Don't have one that is just a word.

Also, change it frequently.

Thanks guys. I just wanted to ask because there was an observer who said that my account would be hacked soon because that's what we do to donkeys who make retarded calls. The person who said that was knocked out by me in pretty pricy tourny because I made a great call and caught him bluffing.

I reported him and am waiting on a response.

lol.
I would disregard the mindless banter, but it's a good idea to know how to keep your account secure anywhoo.

One last question. BeforeI set a new password, should I check for spyware, viruses, and activate a firewall?

This shouldn't be a problem for poker, but it's a good idea for using the internet in general. You should have an antivirus program along with a firewall anytime your computer is connected to the internet.

Never have your password be the same as your user name. Wait... I have to visit the lobby quick!!!

i see.. so I dont have to do any of that stuff right now when setting a password? only when browsing the internet?

I was put on a table where a player was just knocked out, he kept mouthing off and I ask him to please stop. He said that if I didn't keep quiet he would hunt me down and target me with his many guns.
STILL WAITING!!! don't think we need worry about these fools.

Yeah, minimum you need is a decent firewall. These days probably best to get a 'Internet Security' package that combines firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware + adware, and keep it updated frequently. If you are using a router you already have a decent layer of protection which can be really tightened up if you know how to configure it properly.

It might sound over-whelming if you are not familiar with these products but today the average time-to-infection for an unprotected PC on the internet is less than 15 minutes! Keystroke-loggers are probably your biggest worry, this is where a program is installed on a compromised PC thst records all your keystrokes to a file that can be accessed at a later date by a hacker. Obviously password info is at serious risk to being leaked in this manner.

Make sure to use different passwords as much as you can, don't use the same password for your poker sites and your e-mail, forums, etc.

On a positive note a lot of poker sites have a policy where they only allow you to withdraw if you have made a deposit, and will only make your payouts the same way and to the same account you paid in. This at least adds one layer of security to your funds even if your password was compromised, if you've got the same password for your email though....

When setting a password, if the site allows, try to use a number and a symbol and a capital letter. It sounds hard, but it's really not. Just substitute these for the regular letters of a word.

example: hello
could be: He!1o

easy word, but pretty hard to "guess".

Also, if you don't have a security, I've recently picked up Kaspersky and it works pretty well. One great feature I like is that it block banner ads. It also gives real time updates when another computer is trying to access yours. I think 1 license protects 3 computers.

[quote=DaFrench1;658794]

Keystroke-loggers are probably your biggest worry, this is where a program is installed on a compromised PC thst records all your keystrokes to a file that can be accessed at a later date by a hacker. Obviously password info is at serious risk to being leaked in this manner.

HUH?? They can see what password you typed for your poker account? or is that for internet explorer?

HUH?? They can see what password you've type for your pokerstars account?? or is that only for internet explorer?

For anything, really - the program just monitors what you type. Get yourself a decent anti-virus and firewall package, and you should be most of the way safe though.

God Oz, you're scaring the people.

The only way to get a keylogger is to download it, so don't download anything suspicious and you should be fine.

Also keep an anti-virus scanner for safety.

Hey, someone just asked what they can do!

You're right though, they don't just appear out of nowhere - they have to be downloaded first, so just stay away from suspicious downloads, install anti-virus and a firewall, and you should be fine.

AV, Firewall etc are pretty much 'must have' accessories in my opinion. You (probably wouldn't ride a motor cycle without a crash helmet, so why surf the internet without one.

That said, to continue the motor cycle / crash helmet analogy, you are probably MUCH more like to need the crash helmet than the AV software.

AV etc is a must have, but don't get too hung up about it, if you are sensible you chances of stmbling accross anything nasty are pretty remote - I've had a PC for 11 years now, with only one minor virus and the occasional spyware / adware / tracking cookie.

Of course, if you decide to troll a hackers forum, you perhaps should be a little more apprehensice!

Boltneck

Give your password away, this way there's no way you're getting hacked. Plus, how did you manage to win 5k in two weeks not even knowing basic stuff like this (changing your password often, checking for keyloggers, using a firewall, etc.) ? It's like if someone was asking how to use a screwdriver on a handyman board while bragging to have built a perpetual motion device in another thread.

Regarding passwords, use random passwords with letters and digits. I have a spreadsheet with all my passwords. They are all random and I never re-use them. Many people not only use simple passwords, but also re-use them. So if one account is compromised, they all are.

For example, some small poker sites have disappeared and taken all the money. I have had that happen to me 4 times already. Had I been using the same password, I would have been very worried. If they are capable of stealing my money from their site, they are capable of stealing it from other sites as well.

Regarding concerns to get viruses and malware, and so on, if you really want to be sure, don't use your poker computer for Internet or email(except for web-based email). You would either need a 2nd computer for Internet, or use virtualization software like Vmware. The latter is a program that allows you to create virtual computers inside your physical computer. If one of your virtual computers gets infected, you simply delete it and copy your fresh version in its place.

Don't worry about this AT ALL. People will do or claim all kinds of things to make themselves feel "even." This is a total lie, written out of pure steam and anger to try to intimidate you. Besides, if what he said was true, he'd have to hack the accounts of most people lol .