How to Protect Your Game Account - Don't Lose Your In-Game Purchases

About 11 min read

Your game account is more valuable than you might think. The skins, V-Bucks, and rare items you have collected over hundreds of hours are being bought and sold for real money on the black market. Hackers are not just targeting banks and businesses - they are coming after gamers too. This guide explains why game accounts get stolen, how attackers trick you, and exactly what you can do to keep your account safe. Whether you play Fortnite, Genshin Impact, or Minecraft, the steps here will help you protect everything you have worked for.

Why Game Accounts Are Targeted

Accounts Are Worth Real Money

You might wonder, "Why would anyone steal a game account?" The truth is, game accounts can be turned into real money. A Fortnite account loaded with V-Bucks, or a Genshin Impact account with a full roster of 5-star characters, sells for tens of thousands of yen on underground markets. The rarer your skins and items, the higher the price.

According to Kaspersky's 2024 research, attacks targeting game accounts increased by roughly 30% compared to the previous year. For attackers, gamers are an ideal target - people with low security awareness who own valuable digital assets. Middle and high school players are especially vulnerable because they tend to reuse passwords or set simple ones. Even if you think your account is "nothing special," it might be plenty valuable from an attacker's perspective. For a comprehensive look at the threat landscape surrounding game accounts, see our in-depth guide to gaming account security.

Common Account Hijacking Methods

The "Free Cheats" and "Free Skins" Trap

"Use this tool to get unlimited V-Bucks!" "Free rare skins giveaway!" Have you ever seen messages like these in YouTube comments or Discord DMs? These are almost 100% scams. The files they ask you to download as "free cheat tools" are actually malware - malicious software that steals your passwords. The moment you install it, passwords and credit card information stored on your computer get sent to the attacker.

On Discord, scams like "I will give you skins if you share your login info" are also rampant. Sometimes a friend's account gets hijacked, and messages are sent pretending to be that friend. Even if a message comes from someone you know, if they are asking for your login details or password, there is a high chance it is not really them. Another common method is chain hijacking through password reuse. Attackers take passwords leaked from one game site and try logging into other games, email, and social media one after another. This is called credential stuffing - an attack that uses automated tools to try massive numbers of leaked email and password combinations. Just one password leak from one service puts every service where you reused that password at risk. For a detailed look at why password reuse is so dangerous, including real-world examples, see our guide to password reuse risks.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Game Account

Setup Guide by Service

The most effective way to protect your game account is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). With 2FA turned on, even if your password leaks, nobody can log in without the confirmation code sent to your phone. For a deeper understanding of how 2FA works and the different types available, see our complete guide to two-factor authentication. Here is how to set it up on major game services.

For Fortnite (Epic Games): Log into the official Epic Games website, then go to "Account" then "Password & Security" then "Two-Factor Authentication." You can choose from an authenticator app, SMS, or email - the authenticator app is the safest option. Once set up, you will receive a special emote in-game, so it is a win-win for security and rewards.

For Genshin Impact (HoYoverse): Log into the official HoYoverse website and go to "Account Security Settings" to set up both "Email Verification" and "Phone Number Verification." Genshin Impact supports dual verification with email and phone number, so setting up both is recommended.

For Minecraft (Microsoft): Go to the Microsoft account security page (account.microsoft.com) and navigate to "Advanced security options" then "Add a new way to sign in or verify." Using the Microsoft Authenticator app is the easiest and safest method. Both Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are linked to your Microsoft account, so this single setup protects both.

What to Do If Your Account Gets Hijacked

Stay Calm and Take These Steps

If your game account gets hijacked, do not panic. If you take the right steps in the right order, there is a good chance you can get it back. The first thing to do is change the password of the email account linked to that game. If the attacker can also access your email, password reset emails will go to them too, making recovery impossible no matter what you try. After changing your email password, proceed with the game service's password reset.

Next, contact the game's support team. Epic Games, HoYoverse, and Microsoft all have account recovery contact forms on their official websites. When reaching out, prepare as much information as possible to prove you are the account owner - your registered email address, username, purchase history (receipts or credit card statements), and so on. Purchase history is especially strong evidence.

And make sure to talk to a parent or guardian. If you stay quiet thinking "I might get in trouble," the damage will only spread. If there is unauthorized use of purchased items or credit card abuse, you need an adult's help. If talking to your parents is difficult, a teacher at school is fine too. The important thing is not to deal with it alone. If you used the same password on other services, change the passwords on all of those services too. Also check whether any phishing emails have arrived.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Enable two-factor authentication right now on the games you play - Fortnite, Genshin Impact, Minecraft, and others. It takes less than 5 minutes to set up
2. Set a different password for each game. If you have been reusing the same password, change them all today
3. Never click on "free cheats" or "skin giveaway" links. Even if they come from a friend on Discord, verify directly with that person
4. Generate strong passwords for your games with Passtsuku.com. Create complex passwords you would never think of yourself with just one click

If you want to dive deeper into protecting your online accounts, game security guides (Amazon) cover a wide range of practical tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use different passwords for games and social media?

Absolutely yes. If your game password leaks and you use the same one for social media, your social media gets hijacked too. The reverse is also true. Using a different password for each service is the golden rule. If remembering them all is too hard, use a password manager.

Are all free cheat tools dangerous?

Consider almost all of them dangerous. The vast majority of free cheat tools contain malware (viruses), and the moment you install them, your passwords and credit card information get stolen. Even if they do not contain malware, using cheats violates game terms of service and can result in a permanent account ban. Either way, you only lose.

Can stolen purchased items be recovered?

If you contact the game company, there is a chance they can be restored. However, it is not guaranteed. Having proof of purchase like receipts or credit card statements increases the chances of recovery. The sooner you reach out, the better. As time passes, the attacker may sell or transfer your items, making recovery harder. That is why prevention before a hijacking happens is the most important thing.