How to Change Your eBay Password for Maximum Account Security
As an ecommerce pioneer handling over $100 billion in annual transactions, eBay is no stranger to cybercrime. Sophisticated hackers constantly evolve tactics targeting user accounts.
While eBay utilizes robust encryption and anomaly detection, individuals also need to take proactive measures to lock down access.
One of the most basic security steps every eBay user should take is periodically changing their password.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn:
- Statistical realities around eBay cyber threats
- Step-by-step password change walkthrough
- Tech expert password security best practices
- Self-checks to detect unauthorized activity
- Expanded eBay account lockdown methods
Let‘s analyze the password security landscape and identify key actions you can take to avoid being the next victim.
By the Numbers: Surging eBay Cyber Threats
Despite sophisticated cyber defenses deployed by eBay, users still face attempted account takeovers and credential stuffing attacks en masse:
- 1.9+ million – Total daily login attempts blocked by eBay using anomaly detection algorithms searching for suspicious behavior [1]
- 8.6 billion – Number of cyber threat events and suspicious activities identified by eBay in 2021 alone!
- 20% – Approximate share of users that reuse the exact same password across multiple accounts [2]
- 51% of all eBay account takeover attempts are fueled by password reuse credential stuffing assisted by automated botnets [3]
- 63% increase in phishing attacks reported by eBay users in recent years most aiming to steal login credentials [1]
These sheer statistics make the threat landscape clear. Hackers covet access to eBay accounts. Valuable personal data, payment methods, and inventory can be stolen and resold.
Even if you have a strong, unique password…given enough time and attempts, it can eventually be cracked. The key is to not give criminals that window of opportunity.
Step-By-Step: How to Refresh eBay Passwords
When it comes to security, outdated passwords are low hanging fruit. Form new risks by changing credentials routinely every 60-90 days.
Here are the simple steps to change your eBay password:
Let‘s unpack the actions to take:
Visit eBay.com – Access the site directly rather than clicking links in emails to avoid phishing sites. Enter your username and current password.
Click your profile icon – Locate your profile icon in the top right and click to access account settings.
Choose “Account settings” – Navigate specifically to the account settings area for security changes.
Click “Personal information” – This houses key account details like your password.
Locate “Change password” box – Scroll down until you see the password update section.
Enter current password – Type your CURRENT eBay password first for authentication.
Enter new password 2X – Type your new secure password and retype it exactly in the fields provided.
Click “Save” – This executes the password change across your eBay profile.
That‘s all it takes! But now let‘s unpack exactly what constitutes a secure password from a technical perspective…
Anatomy of Strong Password Security
Passwords act as the gateway to sensitive user data and eBay transaction powers. Sophisticated hackers use two main tactics to break through:
Guessing attacks – Trying common password variants manually or via automated botnets
Brute force attacks – Rapid-fire guesswork testing trillions of random password permutations.
Defeating these methods requires analyzing exactly how login credentials are encrypted and stored under the hood by sites like eBay.
Salting and Hashing Private Data
The first step is "salting‘ – eBay adds random data called a salt to your password. This salt is unique across all 400+ million eBay user accounts.
Next, your salted password is run through a one-way "hashing" algorithm converting it into a long string of numbers and letters. This hashed output CANNOT be reverse-engineered back into the original password.
Storing only hashed + salted passwords in databases prevents eBay employees from viewing user credentials. It also means hackers accessing internal systems can‘t easily decrypt passwords.
But how exactly do salt and hashing stop automated password attacks? And when do they fail? Let‘s break it down…
Guessing Attacks
Hackers try inputting common password options like "Password123" and hashing them to check if outputs match credentials on file.
But each user‘s unique salt means the same guessed password will hash differently across accounts – rendering guessing ineffective.
Brute Force Hacking
The last resort is testing endless password variants at rapid speeds via brute force to stumble upon the correct hash.
This is where length and complexity become critical. Each additional character or symbol introduces multitudes more permutations. Brute forcing a 7 letter password may take days while a 12 character password could require TRILLIONS of years cracking at current capabilities.
In short, salting combined with long complex passwords makes cracking virtually impossible in any reasonable timeframe.
But there‘s one last step hackers pursue…
Using Rainbow Tables
Sophisticated password crackers pre-generate every single hash output for common passwords and store them in rainbow tables. They then simply compare eBay user hashes against this database to uncover matches.
This is where periodic password changes re-secure access. By modifying your credential every 60-90 days, any pre-generated hash becomes useless to cyber criminals.
In summary, regularly changing long complex passwords locks the vault to your eBay account tight.
Now let‘s unpack exactly how to select secure password criteria that provides exponential protection.
Creating Strong eBay Passwords
When resetting your eBay password, ensure you create one that is cryptographically uncrackable:
- 12+ characters longer passwords introduce magnitude more permutations. Maximum allowed length boosts brute force difficulty.
- Mix letters, numbers, symbols this complexity exponentially expands possibilities that must be tested.
- Avoid personal info names, birthdays or dictionary words enable guessing and rainbow tables.
- Consider passphrases multiple random words/phrases are infinitely more complex while still memorable.
- Unique per site prevent domino account access if one password gets exposed.
- Password manager tools like 1Password and Lastpass generate, fill and store impenetrable credentials securely.
With this criteria met, your eBay login credentials will be virtually impossible to compromise within your lifetime.
Now let‘s unpack what to do in the event you forget or need to reset this ultra-secure password…
Resetting Lost or Forgotten eBay Passwords
Over 50 million eBay users change jobs, addresses or ISPs annually. This churn often loses access to the original email used to set up an account.
If you can no longer access the associated email, you have two options to reset:
1. Contact eBay Customer Support
- Call eBay CS at 1-866-961-9253
- Confirm account ownership through verification questions
- Support will reset password after identity confirmation
2. Submit ID Verification Form
- Visit this eBay reset page
- Fill form with account specifics like User ID
- Upload government ID image as proof of identity
- eBay will email password reset instructions after review
If you still have access to the original email account on file, you can reset the password yourself:
- Visit ebay.com and click "Sign in"
- Click "Forgot password?" below the form
- Enter email address associated with your account
- Click password reset link emailed to you
- Create brand new secure credential
Be sure to login and change this initial auto-generated password afterwards to maximize security.
Self-Checks: Detecting Unauthorized Activity
Cyber thieves often lay low after illicitly gaining access to an eBay account. They tweak settings or slowly drain assets hoping the activity goes undetected.
Here are proactive checks you should do routinely to uncover any foul play:
Review Purchase History
If hackers gained entry, they may test small $1 transactions to verify stolen payment methods or asset liquidation abilities. Or sweep bulk purchases may export assets from your account.
Check your full purchase history routinely for any charges you don‘t recognize.
Scan Selling History
Bad actors often use compromised seller accounts for money laundering. They may sell bogus physical goods or digital goods delivered offline to pocket funds indirectly.
Verify all orders have valid tracking and your Seller transaction history only includes items you listed or sold.
Check Messages
Cyber thieves often communicate with other scam account operators via eBay Messages.
Browse Sent messages for any communications you didn‘t send signaling account access.
Review Account Info
Snoopers often tweak addresses, password recovery emails or privacy settings to maintain control.
Open account details and ensure all information matches what you input during signup.
While changing passwords routinely blocks most digital intruders – additional checks provide confirmation your account remains fully in your control.
Expanded Security: Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Even cryptographically-strong passwords have an inherent weakness…being stored in database hashes vulnerable to theft.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a secondary credential check that isn‘t stored anywhere – your personal mobile device.
When 2FA is active, logging into eBay requires two proofs of identity:
1. Your password – baseline credential vulnerability still reduced via regular changes
2. A special 6-digit code – displayed in the eBay app or sent via SMS text when you attempt to login. Provides real-time credential only the account owner has access to.
With two-factor in place, a cyber thief needs BOTH your password AND physical access to your mobile device to gain entry. This extra hurdle blocks almost all unauthorized login attempts dead in their tracks.
For maximum security, experts actually recommend upgrading to hardware-based time-synchronized one-time passwords via apps like Authy or Google Authenticator instead of SMS codes.
Why?
Phone porting vulnerabilities allow hackers to intercept all SMS texts rendering mobile 2FA codes ineffective. Hardware tokens don‘t rely on text messages and generate secure ephemeral codes every 30 seconds for absolute lockdown.
But whether you choose mobile SMS or hardware keys, two-factor authentication paired with routine password changes will keep your coveted eBay account under lock and key.
Recap: Locking Down Your eBay Account
Between surging phishing attempts, credential stuffing botnets and constantly evolving cyber tactics – safeguarding your eBay access only grows in importance.
The good news is following the fundamentals serves as an immense barrier to unauthorized access:
- Change passwords routinely every 60-90 days using maximum allowed length and special characters
- Create unique credentials across all sites preventing breach domino effects
- Enable two-factor authentication for real-time confirmation only you possess during login
- Check account activity routinely to detect anomalies or unauthorized changes
Given the financial data at stake powering over $100 billion in annual transactions, taking a few minutes to lock down eBay account access provides tremendous protection and peace of mind.
Stay vigilant in analyzing cyber trends and proactively responding via foundational measures like robust password changes. Doing so will help you stay steps ahead of the criminals seeking to exploit one of the largest ecommerce platforms in history.
