A viral warning of over 89 million accounts committed is a fright without real consequences
You received the rumor that Steam had been violated and that your data Dark web? Quiet, you can breathe in depth and save the password in the drawer. Although all the alarms were turned on during the weekend Massive data filtrationThe same valve has given way to explain that there is nothing to worry about. What looked like a large scale scandal in the end remained inside A lot of noise for nothing.
It all started with a post in LinkedIn user Underdark.aiwhich was therefore amplified by Twitter And he ended up nourishing collective fear. There was talk that up to 89 million steam accounts had been compromised, Which would have meant that more than half of the platform’s active users were in danger. But no, reality is much more banal.
Valve denies serious hacking in steam
As explained Valve In an official declaration, the data that trapped were simply Ancient text messages, which contained single use validation codes. These codes expire in just 15 minutes and the only thing that could be taken by them is the Telephone number to which they were sent. There are no passwords or bank data or -mail associated with accounts.
“The leaked data do not associate the phone numbers with account steam, passwords, payment information or other personal data,” he says Valve. “Ancient messages cannot be used to compromise your account security.”
In addition, the company recalls that every time you try to change the password or the E -mail via an SMS code, the user receives an additional notice by mail or via SAFE SCAP messages. That is, the security system is still well armored.
The problem here was not so much the content of the filtration, but the way the information was disseminated. It was the story of X (Twitter) @Mellowle_Online1 who sautéed the hare, sharing the place of Underdark.ai and sow panic. From there, the media and users started mirroring with a large -scale safety gap, when in reality the situation was neither worrying remotely.
The valve was clear and direct: It is not necessary to change the password or the phone number. Of course, take advantage of the reminder and remain vigilant. If you get a security message without requested it, distrust. Always.
Why did people be so afraid so much?
It is not less: to think that your personal data – including payment information – can be floating from the calls from Deep Web. Above all because in recent years we have seen real cases such as the PlayStation Network in 2011 or more recently Cyberbreads in Capcom and CD Priojet Red. Therefore, although this time it was not serious, the fright was capital.
The fun thing is that the type of leaked data – text measurements already expired – is the most harmless. In any case, only the partial privacy of some telephone numbers would be compromised. But without direct relationships with the accounts, these data alone are useless in illegal markets.
Steam remains a safe environment for players
If you are one of those who have hundreds of euros invested in games, DLC and skin, these types of voices can put their hair standing. But today, Steam It is still one of the safest platforms to play online. Its multiple layers of protection, The verification in two steps and automatic notices make it very difficult to hacking an accountprovided that the user himself does not lower the guard.
And if you ask yourself: No, your game library is not in danger. You can continue to enjoy Ring Elden, Baldur’s Gate 3 or Counter-Strike 2 Without fear that someone has taken control of your account from the shadows.
What seemed like a The digital catastrophe has been deflated thanks to the rapid intervention of Valve. The next time you see a viral security warning, remember to review the sources well before panic. And if you really fear the safety of your accounts, activate the verification of the two steps, use robust passwords and do not click on suspicious connections. The best antivirus always begins with you.