Spotify is the most popular music streaming service by subscribers, with a 34% market share. Founded in 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden, by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, it offers access to an impressive collection of music, podcasts and other audio content, making it popular with all kinds of demographics in all corners of the world.
Because of its popularity, Spotify is targeted by malicious actors looking to steal accounts. According to the company, “sometimes breaches on other services means someone else may log into your Spotify account.”
Telltale signs that your account has been compromised
- Your password doesn’t work anymore
- Your email address changes
- Playlists added or lost
- Recently Played looks wrong
- Music plays without your control
- Your subscription changes
- Another Facebook connects to your account
- Emails about logins you don’t recognize
Spotify assures users that, even if any of the above applies to you, your financial and security details are always secure. However, if you can’t access your account anymore, it’s probably been compromised.
- Access Spotify’s contact form
- Select Logging in
- Select then Someone’s taken over my account
Prepare a screenshot of your Spotify receipt or bank statement to help validate your request and make sure it doesn’t show your full credit card number, expiration date, or three-digit code.
While Spotify works hard to safeguard your account and personal information, users shoulder the responsibility of tweaking settings to strengthen their account security.
Sign out everywhere
If you can still access your account, log in to your account page, scroll down and select Sign Out Everywhere.
Then go to Password Reset and enter your Spotify username or the email address that you used to register. Spotify will send you an email with your username and a link to reset your password. Open your reset link in a private/incognito window, and choose a strong password you haven’t used before.
Practice good password hygiene
- Use a long password with letters, capitals, numbers and special characters
- Don’t use your Spotify password on other services.
- Change your password frequently
- Never share your password with anyone
Check third party connections
Go to Apps to review what’s connected to your account. Spotify says it’s best to select RemoveAccess on any apps tied to your account. (You can always reconnect them later).
Log out after using Spotify on public devices
If you use Spotify on a device that others can access, remember to log out after using the service to prevent others from entering your account.
General security tips
Finally, keep your devices protected with the latest updates and security patches, and be sure to use a security solution for maximum protection against malicious activity.
Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection helps you take control and minimize your digital footprint by continuously monitoring for data breaches and social media impersonators that could ruin your reputation.
You can monitor your digital footprint starting with an e-mail address and phone number. You can monitor five email addresses for signs of compromise and you can find your private information online, in legal and illegal collections of data. You also get instant alerts to new breaches and privacy threats, and you can even use DIP to detect your Social Media impersonators.