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Vote Thumbs up! ;D



Thankyou for taking the time to read this. Keeping your account safe and secure is important on Gaia because there are so many people out there wanting your precious pixels! Read on for top tips to keep your account safe and secure wink

Updates
30/1/07 - Thread Created
4/4/07 - Project TRUTH created
23/4/07 - Made the font bigger whee Hopefully it will make the whole guide easier to read for everyone.
24/4/07 - Having a bit of a shift about with the posts. Bear with me! D;
20/05/07 - Project REMINDERS created -- get personal reminders to change your password every month.
7/6/07 - Due to real-life issues, I'm taking a break from Gaia. I'll try and reply to everyone and update the thread as often as I can, but it won't be as often as normal smile

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Having a secure password should be your top priority. It sounds like such basic stuff, doesn't it? But I bet you wouldn't want a hacker to guess it right? Here are a few pointers for a good password:

  • Make sure the word/s you use are not in the dictionary if possible.
  • Aviod using passwords similar to your username.
  • Be sure to use a different password than your hotmail/myspace/runescape account. If a hacker gets your password to one account he could possibly get into other accounts you have on the net.
  • Use numbers, underscores and punctuation wherever possible, eg. ilovecandy can be changed to 1_l0v3_c4ndy!
  • Change your password at least once a month
  • Don't tell anyone your password, no matter who they say they are. Don't even tell friends/family, as they can easily think it a good joke to hack into your account.
  • Admins and Mods on Gaia will never ask for your password!

    For extra tips on having a secure password, you can read Paakuns guide
    To generate the ultimate secure password, use The Random Letter Sequence Generator (Thanks to [.Cryptic.] for that)

    And also some advice from Reizukie:

Reizukie


I think you should add this for password security.
A RANDOM FACE IN YOUR NAME... Note: Random numbers. xp

- Ex. bl4Hbl4H^_^610
- Ex. o_OW3Ird0103
- Ex. bl00d00d123^3^

lmaoz. Just for some examples.
Crazy passwords are always the best. 3nodding

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Gaia's defination of a Scammer

Recently, there has been A LOT of scam passwords going around Gaia, do not fall for these! People claiming to be Mods are scammers who will do anything for your password. Here is the classic PM you could recieve:

Quote:
You have been suspected of hacking multiple accounts on Gaia

We have received a few reports of you hacking accounts on Gaia. In order to avoid an immediate ban, we require your password to check your trade history. If you take longer than 5 minutes to respond to this warning, your account will be permanently banned, unless you are offline at the time. In that case, you will have a 24 hour time period to do so. If you choose to cooperate and we find you guilty, your ban will only be temporary. If you choose to disobey, your account will lose all of its rights and your IP will be blocked from our site.

Sincerely,
The Gaia Administrators


It might also look like this:
(Scam PM that Cinna received)

This PM is not from the Administrators of Gaia. Why? Because the person who sent you that PM does not have their name written in orange like the rest of the Administration team.
Why else? Gaia admins will never need your password for whatever reasons; if you've been hacking people, they will know...they know everythingg... >.>;;

Anyways! Scammers choose recievers of this message who they think will fall for it, don't let this be you! Should you ever recieve a PM similar to this one asking for your password, then simply hit the Report PM button
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Similar PMs like the one above include:
Quote:

We are sorry to inform you but your account has been brought to our attention, the admins of gaiaonline. Your account has been reported and needs to be investigated with further information. Like any other Gaia administrator, we do not want to ban any account for no reason so we just want to help some innocent people out. You will be asked a few questions to verify that this is your account. Please fill out the information requested. If you do not fill out the information requested immediately your account will result in a Perma-Ban.

Username :
Password :
E-Mail Address :

Once your account has been verified that its free of faults, you will be notified via E-mail when your account is done investigation. We thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,
The admins of Gaia



Another classic PM is one claiming you have been selected to try out a new feature/become a moderator/try on a new item. These are completly fake! Gaia admins have their own special accounts for trying out features and items, and they hand-pick mods themselves.
You know which button to press... User Image
Cinna has recieved one of these and screencaptured it for us to look at:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Cinna/newscam.jpg


You may also come accross the giftbox scam. A user will be offering you a wrapped item, claiming it has much more value than it actually has. He wants your items, so don't be fooled!.
Similarly, marketplace scams are on the loose too. Usually, the scammer will create mule accounts and sell an item on the marketplace that is 10 or 20 times what it's actually worth. He will then try to screw you over by telling you that "his 100k item is worth your Kiki Kitty..".
Don't be fooled by this either! Check the store prices or tektek.org before accepting any kind of trade like this.

And finally, some useful information from Helga of Hufflepuff


Helga of Hufflepuff
Gaia Admins and Mods will never ask for your password, NEVER EVER because they don't need it

DON'T use the same password and username for different sites, it makes it easier for hackers to crack your accounts on the different sites.
Read this thread Account Security


Real Gaia staff are:

Orange = Site Administrators Creators of Gaia Online, responsible for sitewide development.

Green = Omnimoderators Responsible for resolving account issues, hacking cases, and scamming cases.

Teal = Global GAIA Moderators Handle abuse and harassment cases, as well as help oversee ToS issues across the entire site.

Purple = Dedicated GAIA Moderators Work in a specific part of the site, handling ToS violations and thread move requests.

Red = [NPC]'s Are not moderators, but are Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) that inhabit and interact in the world of Gaia! They usually take part in Gaia's main storyline, and in some instances interact with users through posts/pms! Gaia's NPCs include but are not limited to Rina, Leon, Moira, Gambino and Gino.

Others coloured names:

Blue = Friendslist Are not moderators, but users on your friendslist.

Remember:
Scammers

~ Do not have purple, green, teal, red or orange usernames.

~ Will ask you for your password so they can hack you!

~ Will tell you that you will get gold for clicking on mysterious links (they are lying).

~ Are people with phony names like "MOD BANNING BOT" or something. The only automated accounts that will PM you are the "admin" account and "[NPC]" accounts with red usernames. And they will NEVER ask for your password!

~ Will add things like "[MOD]" "[ADMIN]" "[HI]"and "[NCP]" (notice that it is nCp instead of nPc) in front of their names to try to trick you! Some people use [NCP] as a roleplaying thing; those people aren't necessarily jerks. But if they ask for your password, REPORT 'EM!

~ Will use the appropriate colours for the Mods and Admins in the text of the PM. But if the username is not coloured like the picture below it is a fake.
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~~~ First of all I am posting this for the benefit of all members, whether you are new to Gaia or not anyone can be fooled.
so read through it and keep it in mind when and if you get a PM from scammers.

~~~ Secondly, they are scammers not hackers. Most people call them hackers. The difference is that a true hacker build programs such as Firefox and GIMP.
Ones who say they are" hackers" use code and software they create to crack a site or your password. They are actually "Crackers".
A scammer is a person who uses a lie to convince you to give up your password, such as: "I am a Mod, give me your password"

However the term hacker today is generalized to mean anyone who has gained unauthorized access to your account.

*** Always make a strong password. A strong password is a string of letters in upper and lower case and numbers. Never make a password from a easily guessed word or one from the dictionary.***


Here's what getting a PM from the REAL Admin will look like in your inbox:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Cinna/admincolour.jpg
As you can see from the screencapture, the Admin's username appears in ORANGE, as mentioned in Helga of Hufflepuff's post above.

List of known Scammers
If someone has scammed you (eg sent you a PM asking for your password) then post the name of the account. No need to post what they sent you, as it will have been reported won't it? wink

  • CODE4546543
  • `G a i a A d m i n s
  • [NCP]Roy
  • REPORT-MESSAGE-HACKIN
  • GS-banner
  • SystemStaffSecurity
  • GHFRBS
  • AUTO---MESSAGE---HACKING
  • Adam8447123
  • zurgfan09
  • Botthelp
  • BanningManager10
  • Mod-Ben
  • GS-BANNER-HACKERS
  • PCN-Inspector
  • [blood_rose]
  • [BM]Banning Manager 4
  • Detective-shadow58
  • [adm]investigators
  • trademanager
  • Mod Militia
  • sly by my ty
  • GAIA ADMIN PRESIDENT
  • swimmer05
  • AccountInformation
  • report-account
  • HackingSercurityDegreeOne
  • ACCOUNT-IS-BANNED
  • Angelfire1321
  • -MOD- joe
  • Banner-mod
  • gunnax
  • [MOD] Chris
  • taylor.14
  • Adman2
  • MOD-SERVICES
  • ModRobert
  • [ ToS Manager ] John
  • M0DS
  • Mod Kenny
  • [gs] system saftey
  • Account Banner User
  • bilbo0917
  • the_crazy_dude_next_door
  • PCN-inspector
  • Joy-Admin
  • MOD69
  • SMC-SecurityCenter
  • MOD1210
  • Modlocator
  • BANNINGMOD2
  • HACK INVESTIGATOR
  • Report machine
  • assistant joey
  • MOD#25
  • R_L09
  • CRB_mod
  • Accountinvestigator2007
  • pinkyboy92
  • Battle System Scout
  • creator-mod1234
  • fun_boy
  • report_support12345
  • report_support123456
  • ReportedAccountTeam3k
  • Gold Bonus System3


*Remember* There is a big difference between a Scammer and a Hacker. Hackers guess your password, Scammers ask for it. You have not been Scammed if you openly gave your password to someone else, not knowing that they were not part of Gaia Staff, you have been Hacked. Please remember this! smile
For more info, see Gaia's defination of a Hacker

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Another way scammers will attempt at getting your password is by getting you to fill out your account details on a survey or a fake website.

Beware these sites! There are absolutley no cheats to Gaia, everyone here works hard for their gold. Therefore if a scammers says to you "Hey check this site out for a free halo! www...", then it is a fake. No such things as free halos (unfortunatley.. -sobsob- xD)
You know what to do folks; Report the scammers straight away!
The links of scam websites and sites that sell Gold (either can endanger your account, as buying Gold/items is against the Terms of Service), can be PM'ed to any moderator. -> Complete Administrator, Moderator, and Helper List

These sites may include surveys which ask you "how much gold do you have?", "How much gold do you want", and "What is your password".

Another type of scam that's been cropping up recently is the quick-and-easy, no fuss gold in which users can buy Gaia gold and have it given to their accounts.
Do not be fooled by the websites and people who offer you these!. The gold they give you will most likely be botted gold and can get you permanantly banned.

Sites have also been advertised in forums, and if you come accross any of these threads, hit the "report this thread" button. Do not post in the thread ^__^

Also, look out for suspicious sites with pop-ups and lots of ads. They could contain keyloggers. Although I haven't seen such a site yet, you should still be careful.
If you think you have a keylogger, or any form of spyware, you can visit the Slow computers thread, which explains how to rid your computer of viruses such as keyloggers.
(thanks to [-]Battery[+] for reminding me about this)

Another thing to look for is 'trick' websites, which have very similar URLs to "gaiaonline.com". These might be "gaia0nline.com" or "gaiaonline.info". The webpages can look exactly the same as the Gaia homepage, and they can trick you into entering your password.
Always check the address at the top of the screen! Firefox users might also get a warning popping up saying 'suspected web forgery'. Clever firefox! whee
(Thanks to G Demon for reminding me about this)

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Finally, some extra tips to help you keep your account secure:

  • Do not include too many details about yourself in your profile, as this can help hackers to guess your security questions. By too much information, I mean "My name is Bob Sinclair, I live at 67 Party Street, Party Lane, Party Land, my cell is 2058389593!..." Yeah, you get the picture.
  • Avoid having your MySpace URL and your Hotmail address in your details!! This is really important, as a potential hacker could find out information from your Myspace profile to answer your hotmail security questions. Once they are into your account, they can reset your Gaia Password. It has happened to me before cry
  • If you use a public computer, or a computer that you do not own, log out once you are done. Also also CLEAR cache and CLOSE browser (thanks to cips for that)
  • If you find yourself loosing items, change your password immediatley and check your trades for suspicious activity.
  • There are no "downloadble gold earning programs" for Gaia. This program would send your password and username to an unknown online user who then uses this informaiton to hack your account.
  • Do not respond to any scam PMs
  • Do not accept trades from users you don't know, especially trades with large amounts of gold in them. You can't trust these people, and the gold they're giving you will most likely be botted.
  • Should you get a scam email, this guide will tell you how to deal with it.
  • And most importantly... NEVER TELL ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD!

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User Image - Blocked by "Display Image" Settings. Click to show.

Don't know what to do if you have been scammed? (Which shouldn't happen after you've read this guide ;D)

The first thing I would advise is that if you EVER recieve a PM which asks for your PASSWORD, report it straight away using the Report PM button. Don't reply to it, just report it.
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Second, don't rant about how you were scammed and lost everying, simply because it will not get you anywhere.

Third, if you are hacked because you gave away your password, use
the Report a Hacking form. Remember, with this form, you must have evidence that someone actually hacked you, e.g. a screencapture of the trade that took place. Without proof, how will the Admins know that you were hacked? :/

Do not fill out a scamming form. The scamming form is only for users who have had gold/items/art stolen from them but the scammer did not get into their account.

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Updates

4/4/07 - Project TRUTH
Recently, I've been thinking, 'how many newbies actually visit the GGR forum?'
I answered myself 'hmm, not many'.
Therefore, if 'not many' newbies visit GGR and read this guide, then 'not many' are going to be aware of the scammers/hackers on Gaia.

So here comes, Project TRUTH;
"Telling Registered Users The Hazards"

Often, I will be lurking in WtG for newly registered users. I will then send them this PM:

Quote:

Hello and welcome to GaiaOnline! biggrin
I saw you post in the 'Welcome to Gaia' forum, and I would just like to point out this useful guide you should read. It contains all the essential information about keeping your account safe and secure.

Here is a link:
User Image - Blocked by "Display Image" Settings. Click to show.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to post them in the thread. I will be there to answer anything you might be unsure about biggrin
I hope you enjoy it on Gaia! heart


And so, they'll click on the button, and maybe not read this guide word-for-word, but at least scan over it and know that there are people out and about who want your password. It's a start, anyway.

If you recieved one of these PM's, and have read and understood the guide, THANKYOU!. You are free to ask any questions within this thread 3nodding

People PMed so far: 12

------------------------------------------------------------------------

20/05/07 - Project REMINDERS

So again I was thinking "how many people actually change their password?"
After reading this guide, quite a few. But probably not often enough.

So now I am introducing the REMINDER project.

Basically, if you add the mule account to your friends list, you will get a PM every month or so reminding you to change your password. It will be the same date for everyone, because that way I can send one PM to everyone with the reminder.

To have reminders to change your password every month, simply add KYAS-Reminder to your friendlist (obviously KYAS stands for Keep Your Account Safe)

Here is what will be sent:

"Hello! It's time to change your password again smile Don't forget to include underscores, punctuation and numbers in your password, as this makes your password harder to guess.

Until next time! wink "

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Thankyous

Here are some special people that I have to thank for helping me and others, or who are just awesome whee (in no particular order..)

  • Helga of Hufflepuff - for letting me use her information on my thread
  • Aeony - for telling me about the Ebay gold and supporting my feedback.
  • Pixelated Chibiety - For giving me loads of pointers to improve my thread

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Affiliates

Natorra Red-wolf has written a great guide on the Giftbox scams:
hhttp://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28579665

Manmade God has made a list of useful threads to look at:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21341275

Vercentgetorix and ZombieKillerEx have a wonderful charity for newbies and questers:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25646141&page=2

Francis Drake has made an awesome guide on how to earn 100k without begging or bumping:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25398457&

Sephirothgal has a complete list of Admins and Mods:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5791857
(Please remember -- Her thread is not for asking questions)

Ryojo has an awesome guild on Ninjas:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/index.php?guild_id=29491

Mokubahv has a great guide on account security:
http://tinyurl.com/2zh9cu

Pillsburydeadboy has come up with a way to organise those game items in your inventory:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27299081


Link me
Tell others how important it is to keep your account safe:
Code:
[url=http://tinyurl.com/3az6d6][img]http://tinyurl.com/37f2aj[/img][/url]

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not bad you should link my thread to yours here, i will links yours as well to mine if you want!

http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22757597

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Thanks 3nodding
Your thread is now on the Affiliates smile

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smile

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Dawn Crest

Thanks 3nodding
Your thread is now on the Affiliates smile
3nodding

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smile

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Post 1 has been updated surprised
Gaia Forums » GAIA Online » Site Questions & Assistance » Gaia Guides and Resources

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