Hello and welcome to my User Tip
Note: For security reasons, it is recommended that you create a new Steam username just for SteamCMD. Note: A user can only be logged in once at any time. Next, enter your password. If Steam Guard is activated on the user account check your e-mail for a Steam Guard access code and enter it. This is required first time only. Open Steam client and access Settings (go to Preferences on MAC). Click Change Password Enter the existing password. Enter the 5-character code sent to you via email. Enter a new password. If you have forgotten your password/your account's password has been changed by cybercriminals. Access the password reset page. IN this tutorial you will learn how to change your steam name (on mac.)The awesome part about steam is how you can change your username at any time.
People are buying Mac's used where the previous owner didn't know or clear the machine properly before selling it, so what occurs is the next owner can't update OS X or programs because their AppleID doesn't match the previous owner.
Some are just ignoring the requests for updates because they know to change ownership to them will require a complete erase of all the installed programs by the previous owner, which is a fact unfortunately.
Not being able to update OS X or programs means the machine is eventually going to run insecure ones which sets the stage for another large scale botnet of compromised Mac's like what occurred with Flashback, or at the very least banking and credit card information of the secondhand user could be compromised.
Changing ownership of a Mac
1: Copy what users files you do want to save off the machine to a regular external storage drive using drag and drop methods on your internal Home folders of Music, Pictures, Movies, Documents etc. If a TimeMachine window request appears, deny it as it will copy the entire drive, accounts and everything which is not what you need in your case at this time.
If any of those files are over 4GB in size (like large movies/projects or audio files) then the external drive needs to be formatted in Disk Utility first using the Erase option, the default formatting is GUID and OS X Extended Journaled which will work fine only for a Mac. If your going to share this drive also with a Windows PC, then take it to the oldest Windows version and right click on the drive and format exFAT. If it's a Windows XP machine first download the free exFAT download from Microsoft first and reboot. Note: Formatting a drive will erase all data on the drive, so make sure you have what you want off it first.
You cannot save most applications, especially Apple/or AppStore ones as they are now copy protected. Any applications that are non-copy protected and self-contained completely in the app icon in the Applications folder are better off reinstalled fresh from original sources anyway.
Don't forget to export bookmarks from your browsers, any information contained in AddressBook, email addresses in Mail, application license keys in programs you've installed or any other sort of vital information as the entire MacintoshHD partition containing OS X, files and programs will have to be erased to properly turn ownership of the machine to you.
If you have Windows installed in BootCamp, it's a good idea to backup the data there as well.
2: Do a Apple Menu > About this Mac and get information of what OS X version is currently installed on the machine (so you can upgrade back to that version later) and it's model identification and serial number, this information is needed depending upon if disks/USB keys are needed or if the machine can't upgrade to the latest OS X version on AppStore and you have to call Apple to order the in between versions like 10.7 for instance.
3: On the Mac, be near a fast and reliable Internet connection, if you have a Ethernet cable connection to the router, that would be preferred as it's faster and more reliable than Wifi. If you know your Internet speed and it's not around 10 Mb/s or better and all to yourself, then you need something faster. There are various Internet speed tests online, search and use a few to get a accurate evaluation of your capability to reinstall OS X or take it to someone who has a faster connection.
Hold the command (cloverleaf looking), option/alt and r keys down and press the power button until something appears, connect to the Internet if on Wifi. What you will see on the screen is a globe icon as Internet Recovery is downloaded from Apple's (via Akamai's) Servers.
(If this doesn't work, then your older machine isn't capable of Internet Recovery and usually has a slot for a 10.6 OS X install disk or requires a 10.6 boot USB key from Apple. You'll have to erase the ENTIRE drive and install with that first, then upgrade OS X via AppStore (paid upgrade). How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6 )
4: You will see several options. You want to select Disk Utility and the disk0 selected on the left, then choose Erase.
If a slider option appears, move the slider one spot to the right for a Zero erase. If you move it further for more secure erase than a Zero, then it's just going to take a lot longer for no gain. The Zero option maps off bad sectors on hard drives and also deletes any fragments of the previous owners data less there be something illegal there that might false incriminate you. If your handling sensitive data, then certainly move the slider all the way to the right for the maximum. It takes some time for the Zero erase to complete, if it fails after a few hours like it's stuck, the hard drive is defective and needs to be replaced by Apple.
If no slider for secure erase appears, it means your machine has a SSD or a Fusion/flash hybrid and there is no secure erase option available for these. Simply erase the drive, it doesn't erase it in reality, just reformats it and allows the old data to be overwritten. Keep that in mind when using your machine, NSA approved method for data destruction on a solid state drive is to gind it into a fine powder.
5: Select the Partition tab and that the drive has 1 Partition, click the box, Option: GUID and the format is OS X Extended Journaled and the name is MacintoshHD, if not, make it so.
6: From the File menu select Quit Disk Utility and select the Install OS X option. Using your AppleID and password, install OS X and Quit the installer which should reboot the machine.
7: Next you will see a 'Welcome to Mac' video animation and select a language and setup your machine.
Be warned that if you enter your real personal information at this stage or at the registration screen, that Apple will take that information and personalize the machine placing your real name all over the machine, including broadcasting it wirelessly (short range) via Bonjour (can't disable it, risk in coffee shops etc), in emails, account name info, network connections, computer name etc., which will compromise your personal security and privacy.
At this stage you may wish to use a alias, if you later find out it hampers your use of Apple services such as iCloud/AppleID and so forth, you can create a additional user account and log into that with your real name or simply start all over from #3 above. You'll have to be your own judge on what your personal security needs are, because Apple doesn't provide any options to secure your personal information.
8: Once the accounts are set up, you log into AppStore and upgrade OS X to the version that was on the machine previously if you want your all your proprietary file format files to work as before as later OS X versions of software change their files. Internet Recovery installs the OS X version that came with the machine from the factory, any OS X upgrades that occurred later are tied to the previous owner, thus if you want to get back to the OS X version you had before erasing, you have to purchase the upgrade and install it.
Next you install all your additional software you think you need before you return your user files, especially if the computer has a boot hard drive as it will perform better if your users files are returned and written last on the drive.
9: Connect the external drive containing your files you backed up previously. Select the drive on the Desktop and from the Finder Menu (or right click) > Get Info and at the bottom unlock and 'Ignore Permissions on this volume'
When you transferred those files earlier, they were assigned to the previous user account. Well you changed the user account thus thus the ownership of those files belongs to the previous user account. By ignoring permissions your allowing the files to be copied, but they are still not entirely assigned to your new account.
Once you have placed your files or imported then into the appropriate programs and your all done you perform a #6 Repair Users Permissions step here.
4: You will see several options. You want to select Disk Utility and the disk0 selected on the left, then choose Erase.
If a slider option appears, move the slider one spot to the right for a Zero erase. If you move it further for more secure erase than a Zero, then it's just going to take a lot longer for no gain. The Zero option maps off bad sectors on hard drives and also deletes any fragments of the previous owners data less there be something illegal there that might false incriminate you. If your handling sensitive data, then certainly move the slider all the way to the right for the maximum. It takes some time for the Zero erase to complete, if it fails after a few hours like it's stuck, the hard drive is defective and needs to be replaced by Apple.
If no slider for secure erase appears, it means your machine has a SSD or a Fusion/flash hybrid and there is no secure erase option available for these. Simply erase the drive, it doesn't erase it in reality, just reformats it and allows the old data to be overwritten. Keep that in mind when using your machine, NSA approved method for data destruction on a solid state drive is to gind it into a fine powder.
5: Select the Partition tab and that the drive has 1 Partition, click the box, Option: GUID and the format is OS X Extended Journaled and the name is MacintoshHD, if not, make it so.
6: From the File menu select Quit Disk Utility and select the Install OS X option. Using your AppleID and password, install OS X and Quit the installer which should reboot the machine.
7: Next you will see a 'Welcome to Mac' video animation and select a language and setup your machine.
Be warned that if you enter your real personal information at this stage or at the registration screen, that Apple will take that information and personalize the machine placing your real name all over the machine, including broadcasting it wirelessly (short range) via Bonjour (can't disable it, risk in coffee shops etc), in emails, account name info, network connections, computer name etc., which will compromise your personal security and privacy.
At this stage you may wish to use a alias, if you later find out it hampers your use of Apple services such as iCloud/AppleID and so forth, you can create a additional user account and log into that with your real name or simply start all over from #3 above. You'll have to be your own judge on what your personal security needs are, because Apple doesn't provide any options to secure your personal information.
8: Once the accounts are set up, you log into AppStore and upgrade OS X to the version that was on the machine previously if you want your all your proprietary file format files to work as before as later OS X versions of software change their files. Internet Recovery installs the OS X version that came with the machine from the factory, any OS X upgrades that occurred later are tied to the previous owner, thus if you want to get back to the OS X version you had before erasing, you have to purchase the upgrade and install it.
Next you install all your additional software you think you need before you return your user files, especially if the computer has a boot hard drive as it will perform better if your users files are returned and written last on the drive.
9: Connect the external drive containing your files you backed up previously. Select the drive on the Desktop and from the Finder Menu (or right click) > Get Info and at the bottom unlock and 'Ignore Permissions on this volume'
When you transferred those files earlier, they were assigned to the previous user account. Well you changed the user account thus thus the ownership of those files belongs to the previous user account. By ignoring permissions your allowing the files to be copied, but they are still not entirely assigned to your new account.
Once you have placed your files or imported then into the appropriate programs and your all done you perform a #6 Repair Users Permissions step here.
10: Next what you do is create a bootable backup of this ideal and pristine system state using a powered external drive and a copy of Carbon Copy Cloner. (I do not advise Superduper as it doesn't copy a necessary hidden partition you need to reinstall OS X if you upgrade the version later)
This bootable clone is accessible by holding the option/alt key down while booting the machine, it's awesome for the fact that you can easily copy your latest files, then erase and reverse clone any major software issues away in about a hour or so.
The object with a bootable clone is to keep it disconnected and only update it when you know you have a pristine OS X boot volume or before you do something major in software to the machine, like a OS X update, program install or tinkering. You can boot from the clone and make more clones on more external drives, but they will only boot to that machine, but you can use Apple's Migration Assistant to a new machine or use MacDrive to a PC if you ever need too. The first clone takes the longest, the updates to the clone go faster.
If TimeMachine pops up and asks to make the external drive a TM drive, deny it at this time, you can make one after the clone is completed.
After the bootable clone is created you may need a more always on and backing up solution, especially if your prone to deleting files by accident. Newbies especially should be using TimeMachine exclusively, more experienced Mac users usually use bootable clones instead or a combination of the two methods for more reliability.
TimeMachine software is always running on a Mac, if you connect a blank (or to be reformatted) external drive it's going to pop up a window asking you if you want to make one. Make sure the drive is free of data you want to keep and let TimeMachine do it's thing.
11: If you require more common questions answered about your machine there is plenty of advice in the User Tips
The word Steam probably does not tell you much if you are not a gamer; however, for gamers, it is their tiny paradise with thousands of video games in a variety of genres. Officially, Steam was developed by Valve Corporation as a platform for distributing video games, but we would not make a mistake by saying that it has evolved into something bigger during 14 years of activity.
Can you tell me more about Steam? Yes, sure!
Gamers not only buy games from the Steam's store, but they can also communicate with each other, engage in discussions, and even sell/buy gaming-related items. In other words, Steam provides community features as well, which distinguishes it from other gaming clients. This is one of the main reasons gamers choose it over similar platforms too. According to statistics available at Statista.com, while Steam had only 6 million active users back in November 2012, the total number of users hit 18.5 million at the beginning of 2018. Since it appears at the top of the best digital distribution services available on the market, it would be a huge surprise if Steam's popularity declined soon.
Useful and fun, but not perfect
Even though Steam is the first gamers' choice, it is not flawless, to say the least. A vulnerability that has been present in Steam for at least 10 years (!) has been recently discovered by a security researcher Tom Court. The specialist described the security flaw as 'simple' and 'straightforward to exploit', so, theoretically, anyone using the service could have had it leveraged against them. A thorough analysis of the bug has already been performed, and now specialists can say with confidence that the vulnerability could have been used to take full control over victims' machines. Luckily, the patch has been released by Valve to fix the problem. Update your client ASAP (if you have not done that yet) to get the exploit patched. Additionally, if we were you, we would change the password of Steam's client as well.
There is even more evidence that Steam is not perfect and experiences security-related problems from time to time. A loophole that allowed cybercriminals to steal Steam accounts by simply requesting a password reset was detected back in 2015. Usually, it is not that easy to hijack accounts (if they are protected by secure passwords); however, it was a piece of cake back then. It is because hackers only needed the account's name and the associated email address to take over the entire account. With these details in their hands, they could change the password and set a new one of their choice. Generally speaking, no security code was required. This security issue was fixed by Valve in a week's time, but if you have not used your Steam account since then, it would be a good idea to change Steam password right away. Mac convert pdf to pages.
What can I do to strengthen my Steam account's security?
It is already the rule rather than the exception that users entrust their online security to online service providers. Unfortunately, they tend to forget one simple truth – these companies may let them down since they experience data breaches themselves. It does not mean that there is nothing ordinary users can do to strengthen the security of their online accounts. Setting a strong password is, without a doubt, a step towards a more secure future. Therefore, do not hesitate to change the password of Steam today to elevate its security to the next level.
Change Steam Password Mac
Despite specialists' efforts to convince users that it is extremely important to set complex passwords on all online accounts, the mindset of 'Who cares?' is still prevalent among them. They believe they could fix the security problem by simply changing passwords after the cyber attack takes place, but not everything is as simple as that. Imagine hackers taking over all your precious games and not giving them back. That would be a total disaster, right? Luckily, you can strengthen your Steam account's security by changing the password set to a more secure one. Some say that Steam accounts are unhackable, but we cannot confirm that it is true, so we highly recommend taking action before it is too late.
'What is a secure password?', you may ask. Well, first of all, we would describe it as a password that consists of no less than 14 characters. Second, a strong password must contain uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (if allowed). It might seem like a good idea to combine several dictionary words and then substitute some letters they contain with numbers, but do not waste your time on doing this because specialists say that such passwords can still be hacked quite easily. The same can be said about pet names, birthdays, addresses, and other personal information, so do not use any personal details that can be guessed by cybercriminals as your passwords. Experienced specialists say that you should generate a complex password automatically using a trusted password manager like Cyclonis Password Manager. Then, you could easily change Steam password to it. Just follow the step-by-step instructions provided below.
Change Password Mac Mail
How do I change the Steam Account password?
If you know your password and can log into your account
- Open Steam client and access Settings (go to Preferences on MAC).
- Click Change Password…
- Enter the existing password.
- Enter the 5-character code sent to you via email.
- Enter a new password.
- Click Finish.
If you have forgotten your password/your account's password has been changed by cybercriminals
- Access the password reset page.
- Enter your account name, email address, OR your phone number.
- Select the method of password reset.
- Follow on-screen instructions.
Tip: If you cannot change Steam password for any reason, for example, you cannot access your email, contact Steam Support right away. Most likely, you will be asked to provide proof of ownership (e.g., payment information used on the account, products codes activated via Steam, Steam Wallet codes, etc.) to verify that the account belongs to you before you get the help you need.
What else can I do to prevent my account from being hacked?
Valve has three additional pieces of advice for security-minded Steam users. First, it is highly recommended not to share the steam account's password with anyone. Even though sharing is associated with caring, that is far from the truth when we talk about sharing passwords. Second, enter your account's password into login forms located on official Steam websites, such as steampowered.com and steamcommunity.com, only. The green highlight in the browser's URL bar indicates that the legitimate website has been opened. Last but not least, specialists want to encourage Steam users to enable Steam Guard two-factor authentication. It is an additional security level that can be turned on at any time to improve the account's security. Once the two-factor authentication is enabled, anyone trying to access your account will be asked to provide the 'second factor,' e.g. a unique code sent to the email address linked to the account next to ordinary credentials, i.e. password and login.
How do I set up Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator?
Change Steam Password From Website
Android/iOS/Windows Phone
- Download the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator app from AppStore, Google Play, or Windows Store depending on the phone you use.
- Install it on your device.
- Log into your account.
- Tap the icon in the top-left corner to open the app's menu.
- Select Steam Guard.
- Select Add Authenticator.
- Provide your telephone number.
- Enter the code sent to you via SMS.
- Tap Submit.
- Write down the recovery code.
- Once the two-factor authentication is enabled, you will be presented with a unique code (it keeps changing).
- The next time you log into your account, you will be asked to enter the code from the authenticator.
The bottom line is this: you must change Steam password ASAP (even if it seems to be quite a hassle) if you have noticed unusual activity and suspect that your account could have been compromised. Find the time to change the password if it is weak too. It is certainly easier to do that than recover from a cyber attack, believe us.
