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  • Subject: Prevent being hacked + Are you REALLY in danger?
Subject: Prevent being hacked + Are you REALLY in danger?

*Note to Community Forum: I was told by the flood that this thread would be more useful and fitting to go into this Forum. Please excuse me if I am wrong.*

First off, I would like to say that I am NOT ripping off the "How to get UnHacked -101" thread. I am creating a thread in which I give advice to PREVENT your account from being hacked, and to explain in better detail how it works. Please, no trolling.

This article will cover things that will help prevent you from getting hacked, and it also contains additional information on Hackers. This information includes the types of hacking, how to deal with them, if you are REALLY in danger, and other valuable information. Most of the times, hackers will try to appear as if they are bigger than they really are, they try to scare you into doing what they want you to do.

***THREAD SECTIONS***
-Creating a Secure Password
-Registering an E-mail with your Windows Live ID
-Why do I need a different password for the email registered with my Windows Live ID?
-Keeping your XBL Information safe from Scam Artists
-What is the difference between Hacking and Modding?
-If someone tells me my state and city, does that mean they hacked me?
-Protecting my IP Address
-DDoSing (When someone kicks you offline)
-What if I come into contact with a hacker/DDoSer?
-Keeping your Password Secure


Creating a Secure Password

When I say 'secure password' I don't mean like Password#### with a capital and numbers. I mean a password that will prevent all of your other personal data from being stolen. People tend to make one password for everything they use, and this is great to help you remember the password, but it is not great for protecting personal data. When a hacker steals an XBL account, not only do they take the account, but they go for all of the bonuses that come with it. A hacker sees the account as the main course, but then looks for other bonuses that he may be able to get. These bonuses include: Facebook, Twitter, email, PayPal, Bank Accounts, etc. If you have the same password for all of these, it makes it much easier to get into them. And I cannot tell you how many people put their passwords on everything the same.

Registering an E-mail with your Windows Live ID

When you use an email for your Windows Live ID, do not take the easy way out. Don't just use an existing email that you use for all of your other stuff like the types of accounts I listed above. Create another account that you will SOLELY use for your XBL. This way, there is no chance of any other data being stolen. For this email, I would recommend using a password that you will remember, but DEFINITELY NOT the same password as the Windows Live ID. I know all of this is confusing, but it is the best way to prevent being hacked. If you have to, keep the account information on a text document somewhere on your computer. This way if you ever forget your information, you can just search something like "XBL Account Info" and there you go

Why do I need a different password for the email registered with my Windows Live ID?

If your information is the same on the Windows Live ID, and the email, the hacker can have full access to the account. Meaning, he can REMOVE your email, and replace it with his. If he does this, there is now a VERY slim chance of you reclaiming your account.

Keeping your XBL Information safe from Scam Artists

I understand a lot of you are desperate for 'mods' or 'hacks' for certain games such as Call of Duty. Well, there is an easy way you can avoid being hacked here. DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR INFORMATION! It is most-likely a scam, same thing with MS point transactions. Scams. But, if you REALLY want to give out your info, I'll tell you. BEFORE you give your information to the scam artist, you want to send a password reset link to your email. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Go to Live.com
2. Click "Forgot Password"
3. Type in your Windows Live ID and the verification code
4. Click "Email me a reset link"

You should then receive an email form Windows Live Support or something like that. DO NOT CLICK THE EMAIL YET! Doing this will result in the email becoming invalid for further use. If this fails to get your account back, follow those same steps (Assuming the hacker has not already changed your Windows Live ID). If the transaction is done using MS points, I recommend you do not do this, as there is NO way to get a refund. I am not saying you should give out your information, either. That is most likely a scam also.

What is the difference between Hacking and Modding?

Alright, so people seem to get confused with the terms 'Hacking' and 'Modding'. Hacking is the art of exploitation, this includes stealing information and whatnot. Modding is simply modifying the game and changing the tags to mess with the in-game experience. Just because someone can mod, does not make them a hacker (Although hackers DO intend to take up the art of modding, as they have the skills to do so)

If someone tells me my state and city, does that mean they hacked me?

Just because someone knows your city, state, postal code, area code, ISP, does not mean you were hacked. Quite simply, this means nothing. Anyone can do this, all they need is your IP (Internet Profile) Address. If they read this to you, don't worry. Telling you your general location is about as far as they can get with that information.

Protecting my IP Address

Your IP address can only be obtained when the hacker is in a party, private chat, or game with you. There are no specifications as to whose IP is whose in the game/party.

DDoSing (When someone kicks you offline)

Just because someone can DDoS, does not mean they can hack your account. DDoSing (Distributed Denial of Service) is when someone sends data using other people's connections, or a server's connection, to your router. This causes you to go offline. I can go on and on about the differet effects, but it would take much too long. If you are DDoSed, DO NOT WORRY! There are multiple ways to prevent this from happening again, and to recover quickly. They use your IP address to send the data to your specific router. MOST IP addresses will change after an attack, or over night. If they do not, and you continue to be threatened or attacked, google some ways to change your IP (I would post them here, but I am getting really tired of typing). Or you can call your ISP and ask them to change it for you. To recover from an attack quickly, as soon as you go offline or lag, go to your modem and Disconnect it. Leave it off for 30 seconds. Reconnect. It should work now, and your IP will MOST LIKELY change (No guarantees).

What if I come into contact with a hacker/DDoSer?

If this happens, leave the party/game immediately. They will most likely already have your IP address, but you may get lucky. (1/2 DDoSers immediately scan when they join the party). DO NOT TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE HACKER! If he offers to give away hacking equipment, and asks to get on TeamViewer with him, leave immediately. He has a file that will give you hacking powers, yes, but they are weak, and it is binded with spyware. This spyware includes keyloggers that allow the hacker to log your passwords. He will most likely say something like "Log into xbox.com to see if it works" or something. Remember, hackers are professionals at Social Engineering. That is how they get 90% of their victims.

Keeping your Password Secure

Bottom line, never tell ANYONE your password. It doesn't matter if they are a friend recovering your account for you while you get a snack, or a brother wanting to play on the account, and (I shouldn't even have to say this one) some random person on XBL 'claiming' they can get you modded weapons or something on Call of Duty.

Any questions or suggestions on things to be added? Post below. I am sure you all were aware of this thread before, but here is the thread that inspired me to go into deeper detail on how to PREVENT such a thing from happening, and how you can tell whether someone is bluffing about being a 'hacker'. Thank you for reading my post, and I hope this helped! Please, I did this to help you better protect your data, as the art of hacking is increasing, so do not troll. I was simply trying to help. I thank those of you who take this thread seriously, and are not being immature 13-year-olds trolling in my thread.

*Note: None of the information in this thread is to be used negatively. This threads purpose is to provide helpful tips to the users of Bungie.net om how to be safe on the internet. None of the examples/terms used were meant to educate others in the art of exploitation.*

  • 11.04.2011 6:29 PM PDT

RESERVED

  • 11.04.2011 6:30 PM PDT

Sorry, double post. My bad.

[Edited on 11.04.2011 6:31 PM PDT]

  • 11.04.2011 6:30 PM PDT