If you’re like most Amazon customers, you probably rely on the online retailer to help you buy everything from books to clothes to electronics. But like any other online service, Amazon relies on security measures to protect your account and personal information. Here are a few tips to keep your Amazon account safe:
- Use a strong password: Make sure your password is at least 8 characters long and includes at least one number and one letter. Don’t use easily guessed words like “password” or “123456.”
- Enable two-factor authentication: This safeguard requires you to enter not only your password but also a code sent to your phone or email address. It’s an extra layer of security that’s especially important if you have valuable information stored in your account, such as credit card numbers.
- Keep an eye on your bank statements: If something looks fishy with your Amazon account, be sure to check bank statements for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals that may have occurred recently. If something seems off, contact Amazon customer service immediately for help resolving the issue. ..
RELATED: How to Secure Your Gmail and Google Account
Choose a Strong Password
Your first line of defense with any online account is always going to be your password, so choosing a strong one is paramount in securing your account. Don’t use your cat’s name, your child’s birthday, or anything else that can easily be guessed—if it’s something that other people readily know about you, it’s a terrible password.
At the same time, most passwords that are secure are also very hard to remember. My answer to that is twofold: use a password generator and manager. I personally use LastPass, but the majority of the options out there will not only store your passwords (so you only have to remember one), but also offer a password generator. This is going to be a random jumble of letters and numbers, making it nearly impossible to guess or crack. And since the password is then stored in the password manager, you don’t have to remember it—I probably haven’t even seen half of my passwords!
In the “Settings” section (the third section from the top), select “Login & Security Settings.” You’ll be asked to input your current password here.
From here, just click the “Edit” button in the “Password” field. Get your change on!
RELATED: Why You Should Use a Password Manager, and How to Get Started
Use Two-Step Verification
RELATED: What Is Two-Factor Authentication, and Why Do I Need It?
So, what is two-step verification? Simply put, it’s an additional layer of security that keeps people out of your account. Not only will you need to enter your password to log in, but you’ll need to enter a code that’s sent to your phone. That way, if someone ends up getting your password, they won’t be able to log in to your account—unless they also somehow have your phone. You might receive that code as a text message, or through an authentication app on your phone like Google Authenticator or Authy. You can read more about two-factor authentication, and why it’s so important, here.
To enable two-step verification, jump back into Your Account Settings again (Menu > Your Account > Login & Security Settings), then click the “Edit” button next to “Advanced Security Settings.”
Essentially, the entire “Advanced” section is just setting up two-step verification. Click the “Get Started” button to, um, get started.
The process is largely automated, so just follow the prompts to get everything rolling. You’ll start by entering your phone number and receive the first code.
Once you’ve verified the first code, you’ll need to set a backup method. This can be a text or voice call on a different phone, or an authenticator app. I recommend the latter—just install one of the authenticator apps mentioned earlier and follow the instructions.
Lastly, read the instructions on what to do on devices that won’t work with two-step verification. It’s important!
Once you’re all finished, you can tick the box to skip asking for codes on this device—I only recommend doing so if it’s a desktop, which is much less likely to get stolen than something like a laptop or tablet.
Boom, you’re done. If you haven’t enabled this feature on your other accounts—like your email, bank, and other sites—you really should.
Disable 1-Click Ordering on Mobile Devices
To disable 1-Click Ordering on the mobile app, slide the menu open and choose “Your Account.”
From here, tap on “1-Click Settings.” There’s a simple toggle at the top that will enable/disable it. That’s literally it.
