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A significant data breach has reportedly compromised the security of numerous users of Steam, Valve's immensely popular online gaming store and platform. The breach, which was recently flagged by the cybersecurity firm Underdark on LinkedIn, has resulted in the sensitive information of 89 million Steam accounts appearing for sale on the dark web. The data up for grabs allegedly includes users' one-time passwords and phone numbers, and the alleged threat actor is reportedly seeking $5,000 for the entire dataset.

At the time of this report, Valve has yet to confirm the origin of the breach or respond to requests for comment from CNET. According to Steam's statistics page, the platform saw over 30 million concurrent users online when this incident came to light, indicating the vast number of gamers potentially affected by this event.

If you hold a Steam account, it is crucial to change your password immediately to safeguard your game library and any financial information linked to your account. While this is the first essential step, there are additional measures you can take to bolster your security.

Utilizing a password manager can help you create complex, unique passwords and store them efficiently. Furthermore, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) with both your phone number and email provides an added layer of defense. While Steam does not support hardware security keys, its integrated 2FA system will significantly enhance account protection.

For those who already have 2FA enabled, it's wise to monitor your email for any unusual activity linked to your Steam account. If you receive any unsolicited one-time password text messages, ignore them and promptly change your password again. Be especially vigilant over the next few weeks for any phishing attempts disguised as offers or communications related to Steam content.

Taking these precautions can help protect your personal data and offer some peace of mind in the wake of this concerning data breach.