While we are still waiting for official confirmation regarding the extent of this breach, initial reports suggest that it is one of the biggest tech hacks in recent memory. There will certainly be more to say about this story in the coming days and weeks, but the one thing you absolutely need to know right now is that this breach represents a potential security risk for Twitch users everywhere. At the moment, it does sound like there is a strong possibility that user account information may have been exposed via this breach. While it’s not entirely clear how much information may have been leaked, Twitch officials and security experts are already advising everyone to take basic precautions in order to protect themselves against what could prove to be a significant event. That being the case, here’s what you need to know about protecting your personal information on Twitch. As always, it’s also a good idea to see if you’re currently using your potentially exposed Twitch password on other websites and change them there as well.
How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Twitch
You’re probably tired of hearing it, but setting up Two-Factor Authentication really is one of the best basic security steps you can take to protect your personal information online. Here’s how you set up 2FA on Twitch:
How to Reset Your Stream Key on Twitch
Your Twitch Stream Key is essentially an ID number that allows you to link your Twitch account to your preferred broadcasting software. If you’ve ever streamed on Twitch (or if you’ve ever set up a creator account via the platform), it might be a good idea to reset your current Stream Key by following these steps: Please keep in mind that resetting your Twitch Stream Key should not cause you to lose any important information, but it might be a good idea to test the new key just to be safe.
How to Change and Remove Payment Information on Twitch
While it’s not entirely clear at this time whether or not personal payment information has been exposed via this recent Twitch breach, it’s never really a bad idea to change and remove any existing payment information that may be associated with your potentially vulnerable account. Here’s how you do that: It might also be worth mentioning that this section of your profile lets you view your Twitch transaction history. While this section will not tell you if any payment information that was potentially taken from your Twitch account has been used outside of the website, it will let you see if anyone has made unauthorized Twitch purchases with your account or payment information.
General Security Tips for Your Twitch Account
Finally, here are a few general security tips that might help you better protect your Twitch account now and in the future.
Don’t use your real birthday on your Twitch account. Your birthday is one of the most common online security pillars, and some people still use it as the basis of their passwords and pins. If you’re streaming, be very careful with what personal information you may directly or accidentally share (espcially information related to your location).While they’re conienent, you may want to disable any recurring Twitch subscriptions in order to reduce your depenance on saved payment information. Always use complicated passwords and 2FA.Regularly check your Twitch transaction history for any transactions you did not make. Keep an eye out for any security breaches via Twitch or on any digital platforms that share peronsal information you also use on your Twitch account. When these breaches happen, it’s time to change or remove as much shared information as possible.
