Was Your Amazon Account Hacked?

The Internet has expanded our ways of doing things. It opened new methods for operating a business, communicating with people, and finding career opportunities. Honest people like us are thankful for the internet for it reshaped how we do things in a more convenient approach.

Crooks are thankful, too, because the internet made it easier for them to accomplish their despicable acts. Now we need to prevent our accounts from getting hacked.

All user accounts on the internet can get hacked. This doesn’t only include emails and social media. Accounts for doing business can get hacked too. A good example is Amazon.

If your Amazon account has been acting abnormally for the past few months or days, you might want to engage in this short discussion. Is my Amazon account hacked?

How Does Your Amazon Account Get Hacked?

Your Amz account can get hacked through various means, often involving attackers obtaining your login credentials or personal information. Some common ways your Amz account may be compromised include the following:

1. Weak passwords: Using weak or easy-to-guess passwords makes it easier for attackers to crack your account through brute force or dictionary attacks. Always use strong, unique passwords and avoid common words, phrases, or patterns.
2. Phishing attacks: Scammers may send emails or messages posing as Amz, urging you to click on a link or download an attachment. This can lead to a fake login page where your credentials are stolen, or malware is installed on your device.
3. Data breaches: If another website or service you use experiences a data breach, and you’ve used the same email and password combination for your Amz account, attackers may gain access to your account.
4. Malware or keyloggers: Malware or keyloggers installed on your device can capture your login credentials when you enter them on the Amz website or app, allowing hackers to access your account.
5. Public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks: Logging in to your Amz account on a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network may expose your login credentials to attackers who are monitoring the network.

How Do I Know If A Cybercriminal hacked my Amazon Account?

You may notice some signs or unusual activity if your Amazon account has been hacked or compromised. Here are some indicators that your account might have been hacked:

1. Unexpected password changes: If you cannot log in to your account with your known password, it could be a sign that an attacker has gained access and changed your password.
2. Unauthorized orders or transactions: Keep an eye on your order history and payment methods for unfamiliar orders or transactions. Fraudsters may use your account to make purchases or add their payment methods.
3. Changed account information: Check your account settings, shipping addresses, and personal information for unauthorized changes. Attackers may alter this information for various reasons, including redirecting shipments to their addresses.
4. Unusual emails from Amazon: If you receive unexpected emails about password changes, order confirmations, or changes to your account information that you didn’t initiate, your account might be compromised.
5. Suspicious activity alerts: Amazon may notify you if they detect suspicious activity on your account, such as multiple failed login attempts, logins from unfamiliar locations, or other unusual actions.

If you suspect your Amazon account has been hacked, take the following steps to secure your account:

1. Change your password: Reset your Amazon password immediately. Choose a strong and unique password you haven’t used on other websites or services.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Turn on 2FA for your Amazon account to add an extra layer of security. This requires a temporary code (sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app) and your password.
3. Check account information: Review your account settings, personal information, shipping addresses, and payment methods for unauthorized changes. Correct any changes and remove any unauthorized payment methods.
4. Review your order history: Look for unauthorized orders or transactions and report them to Amazon’s customer service.
5. Run a security scan: Scan your devices for malware or viruses using reputable antivirus software, as your account could have been compromised through malicious software.
6. Contact Amazon customer service: Report the issue to Amazon’s customer service and follow any additional steps they recommend to secure your account.
7. Monitor your account: Keep a close eye on it for any further suspicious activity and ensure you have taken all necessary steps to secure it.

How To Secure Your Amazon Account?

Password manager tools are handy for securing your Amazon account. This software generates a strong password and saves it on a secure server. Don’t use online or free password managers. Hackers made this themselves to scam users.

To protect your Amz account from being hacked, follow these security best practices:

1. Use strong, unique passwords: Create a strong and unique password for your Amz account, and avoid reusing passwords across different websites or services.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Turn on 2FA for your Amz account, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a temporary code (sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app) in addition to your password.
3. Be cautious with emails and messages: Be wary of unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from Amazon. Verify the source before clicking on any links or downloading attachments.
4. Keep your devices secure: Install reputable antivirus software and keep your operating system and apps up-to-date to protect against malware and other security threats.
5. Avoid public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks: Use a virtual private network (VPN) or avoid logging into your Amz account on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks to minimize the risk of intercepting your credentials.
6. Regularly monitor your account: Keep an eye on your Amz account for any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized purchases or changes to your personal information, and report any concerns to Amz’s customer service.

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Also, you might want to unlink your credit/debit card on your Amazon account after purchasing. After all, Amazon doesn’t prohibit users from linking credit/debit cards more than once.

Finally, enable Amazon’s two-step verification. The two-step verification connects your Amazon account to your phone number. It sends a verification code to your phone. You must type this verification code on the Amazon login page before entering.To learn more about account hacks, check out our blog, and get comprehensive security that would protect against all kinds of attacks, visit Agency to learn more.