League of Legends is a fantastic multiplayer online battle arena that provides plenty of action.
For several reasons, someone would want to hack into your League of Legends Account.
One reason is purely destructive. There are quite a few malicious folks out there who have nothing more to do than hack your account to keep you from enjoying the game or gaining control of your computer.
The other main reason is financial. Although Riot Games does everything possible to discourage it, some people do not want to spend the time and energy to reach the higher levels of League of Legends. So they buy accounts, often stolen, for big money.
However, a stolen account happens less because of Riot Games’s tight security, but viruses and malicious pop-ups are standard.
Signs your account has been compromised include:
- You receive a ransomware message.
- Fake antivirus messages are on your screen even if you have installed virus protection.
- Your browser suddenly has new toolbars you didn’t install.
- Your searches are redirection to another site.
- You suddenly get a lot of pop-up messages.
- Your online password is not working even though it is typed in correctly.
Naturally, you will want to contact customer support to resolve the issues, but there are plenty of things you can do to keep your account safe.
1. Enable and use multi-factor authentication
It’s new, but Riot Games officially announced the launch of multi-factor authentication in January 2022. Multi-factor authentication protects your password, account, payment information, champions, and collections. Two things to note. The first is that multi-factor authentication is an optional add-on. There are definite steps you need to take.
Also, multi-factor authentication only works when you log in through a Riot Games Portal. If you log in with Garena or any other 3rd party portal, multi-factor authentication will not take effect.
The way multi-factor authentication works is that every time you attempt to log in, you will be sent an email with a 6-digit code. You generally need to provide this code to log in.
We generally say you can log in once, lasting 30 days, but most people receive an authentication code email every time. It’s safer that way.
To enable multi-factor authentication, you must have verified your email previously. Once you have confirmed your email address, simply Sign in to your Riot account page and go to the Security tab.
- Next, locate the 2-factor authentication card and click the resent email button.
- Click the Resend email button. Then, go to your email to retrieve the security code.
- If you don’t see it, check your spam filter.
- Navigate to the inbox of your connected email address.
- Find and open the MFA email you received from Riot Games.
- (Check the spam folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.)
- Finally, click the enable two-factor authentication button.
2. Select a secure password
If you choose not to use the 2-factor authentication service Riot Games provides, then do the very next thing and select a secure password.
You would be amazed at how insecure many people choose to make their passwords. Besides using their birthdays and their kids’ names, many people create passwords such as qwerty, password, 123456, picture1, and an entire host of others, all passwords that can easily be cracked through the use of superficial brute force password breakers.
If you will not use two-factor authentication, use a password manager to ensure your password is secure.
3. Protect your email account
Next, make sure your email account is also protected. Hopefully, you will also use a password manager for your email, but this is not enough.
Many hackers obtain your email through social engineering, such as sending you a bogus email from Riot Games.
Riot Games does indeed send you emails, but unless the email is from the following domains:
@leagueoflegends.com
@em.riotgames.com
@email.leagueoflegends.com
@email.riotgames.com
@riotgames.com
@e.riotgames.com
@m.riotgames.com
@e.leagueoflegends.com
@riotgames.zendesk.com
@email.accounts.riotgames.com
@mail.accounts.riotgames.com
@umail.accounts.riotgames.com, then the email is bogus. Send in a ticket to support if you receive such an email.
In addition, whenever you play League of Legends outside of your home, then be sure to sign off at the end of the day. And even if you step away from your computer for a minute, be sure to sign off.
4. Do not share your account
Never share your Riot account with someone else, even if it’s a family member. Besides, remember that rank boosting, account trading, profile sharing, and other activities violate Riot Games Terms of Service.
Engaging in such activities is a sure way to get your account locked or terminated.
5. Install quality antivirus software
Finally, be sure to install reputable antivirus software on your gaming device.
Riot Games does not recommend any particular antivirus software, but you are in for a world of hurt without it.
Remember that the skills that allow a player to be a great League of Legends player will also enable them to be great hackers.
Not only can they access your League of Legends account, but they also may tap into your credit card details.
