News, 21.03.2024, 09:00 AM
Do you use the same passwords for different accounts? If the answer is yes, you should stop doing it. Because if you use the same login information in different places on the Internet, you are behaving in a very risky way. If cybercriminals get hold of the password you use in one place, you can be sure that they won't waste time before investigating whether the same username/password combination works on another Internet service.
Some Pokémon fans now know this after the official support page warned that some users are unable to access their accounts after hacking attempts were discovered. The warning states that some users will need to reset their passwords to regain access to their accounts.
“Following an attempt to compromise our account system, Pokémon proactively locked down accounts that may have been affected. If you are unable to log into your Pokémon Trainer Club account, please reset your password by following the instructions here.”
According to Pokémon spokesperson Daniel Benquitt, the company's account system “has not been compromised.”
“What we experienced and discovered was an attempt to log into some accounts. To protect our users, we have reset some passwords,” said Benkvit.
FleeceKing, the first Pokémon Go player to reach level 50 and Guinness World Record holder, says his account was hacked last week and he says he's an “emotional wreck” as a result.
FleeceKing, who called the experience “extremely stressful,” was lucky enough to regain access to his account within 24 hours with the help of the Pokémon Go support team.
Clearly, FleeceKing and other players could strengthen their security not only with unique, strong passwords that are difficult to crack, but also by enabling multi-factor authentication. Unfortunately, the company doesn't seem to offer support for two-factor authentication on its website.
Photo: Carolina Castilla Arias / Pexels