At eBay, we work hard to help ensure the security of your account. Here are a few things that you can do to keep your information safe both on and off eBay:
Make sure you have updated your browser to the latest version. Older browsers may not be secure enough to protect your personal or financial information. Learn more.
- Create a username that is different from your email address and does not reveal your name.
- Create a unique password that’s easy for you to remember and type, difficult to guess, and includes a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Don’t reuse your eBay username (or email address) and password for other accounts—use a different username and password combination on every site you visit.
- Change your password every 30 to 60 days.
- Never reveal your eBay or online payment passwords to anybody.
- Consider using a password manager. Research to find the best one for you.
- Never store passwords on your smartphone or tablet.
- De-select the Keep Me Logged In option when using a public computer or when you are not actively using a site. Simply closing your browser is not enough to ensure privacy.
- Be aware of who is around you and may be watching what you are doing online. Protect your screen from onlookers.
Read the eBay Privacy Notice to understand eBay’s policies for collecting, using, disclosing, retaining, and protecting your personal information. Read the tips below to learn what you can do to help protect your privacy when using social media or when buying and selling online:
- Don’t overshare online. The more personal information you give up on public-facing sites, the easier it is for hackers and fraudsters to develop convincing email, text, or phone messages to deceive you or to commit fraud.
- Don’t share your email address, phone numbers, or other personal contact information outside of eBay.
- Be wary of internet surveys, petitions, or polls that may just be a trick to collect your personal information so scammers can pretend they know you or represent companies you do business with.
- Create an eBay username that is different from your personal email address and does not reveal your full name.
Whatever type of device you use to shop online, follow these tips to keep your device and data safe:
- Protect your computer with a strong password. Lock your screen with a password when you step away, even in your own home.
- Protect your Internet-connected device with a PIN or with a biometric method such as a fingerprint.
- Keep your smartphone, tablet, or laptop in your sight. Never leave your devices unattended in a public place—even in your own locked car. If you must do so, make sure they are hidden away and out of sight.
- Don’t carry your smart phone in your back pocket or anywhere that it could be easily stolen.
- Keep your anti-virus, anti-spam, and other security software up-to-date.
- Avoid installing software that you don’t need or that comes from unverified sources.
- Keep your software up-to-date. Install software updates and security patches as soon as they are available.
- Select option to manually (not automatically) connect to wifi.
- Disable hotspots on your phone when not needed.
- Ignore urgent pop-ups that tell you your devices are infected with a virus and you must click a link to fix the problem. These are usually traps to trick you into installing malicious software. Navigate away from such messages and go to Preferences or Settings to delete all Internet data from your machine.
Follow these tips to help keep your wireless network safe from unwanted intruders:
- Secure the router for your wireless network with a password. If you don't secure your router, strangers could access your network and access your personal or financial information.
- Change the name of your wireless network and any pre-set passwords provided by the vendor, even if the name and password seems complex. Visit the company’s website to learn how.
- Be sure to change your router administrator password as soon as you set up your wireless network. Use a strong password that is easy for you to remember but hard for anyone - or a computer - to guess.
- Keep your router’s software up-to-date. Register with the manufacturer to get updates.
- When you are finished setting up your router, log out as administrator.
- Turn on encryption so that nearby attackers can’t read your communications. Encryption is often turned off by default, so check the company’s website to learn how to turn it back on.