The following steps will help keep you and your eBay account protected.

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• Steps to protect your account
• Web browser recommendations

Steps to protect your eBay account

Choose your User ID, eBay password and secret question carefully

• Choose a User ID and password that are not related to your email address
• Your User ID and password should not be related to any of your other online accounts
• If your User ID is the same, or similar to your email address change your User ID
• Review Password security for tips on how to select a secure password

Beware of phishing (fake) emails and web sites asking for sensitive information

• See Phishing (fake) emails for detailed information about phishing and how to protect yourself

Monitor your account for suspicious activity

• Check My eBay regularly to ensure no one has tampered with your account
• If you see something suspicious report it to eBay immediately and take action to deal with account theft

Add extra password protection with the PayPal Security Key

• The key is a lightweight, sturdy, keychain-sized device
• The PayPal Security Key generates a six-digit security code that can be added to your password
• Learn more about the PayPal security key

Install and update online protection software

• Anti-virus software
  • Prevents computer viruses logging into your computer and recording keystrokes
  • Protects against emails that carry viruses which can find and transmit information from your files
• Spyware protection
  • Spyware is software that is downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge to collect personal information and record your internet usage
  • Maintain a current version of spyware protection to ensure your account and identity details cannot be accessed
• Internet firewalls
  • Firewalls are either hardware or software that control the flow of information to and from your computer
  • Using a firewall helps prevent any unauthorised access to sensitive information
  • It is especially important to use a firewall if you have high-speed connection that is always connected to the internet
• See Computer security for more information about keeping your computer safe

Web browser recommendations

eBay recommends always using the current version of eBay supported browsers. 

The browsers that eBay recommends are:

Using these browsers will:

• Improve your experience using eBay
• Provide the latest security updates
• Warn you if you inadvertently go to a phishing (fake) web site