Threat actors target music streaming services at an alarming rate and look forward to stealing login credentials. The compromised accounts can be used to view pirated content. Equally, they can be sold or used for extracting personal information, which can be used to make purchases or commit fraud. Cybercriminals want not only to steal valuable information but also to demonstrate their skills within the criminal community. Spotify, one of the most popular music services worldwide, is the perfect target for hackers. 

Last year, Spotify suffered a credential-stuffing cyberattack. Users highlighted that their accounts were used for listening to music they didn't choose. Others complained that they couldn't log into their accounts anymore. The audio streaming service forced password resets for impacted users. Spotify discovered a vulnerability in their system that exposed account registration information (e.g., email address, password, gender, and date of birth). Given that many people share credentials on multiple online services, their information was left vulnerable to financial and identity theft. 

How To Tell If Your Spotify Account Was Compromised 

Someone breaking into your Spotify account is more than just a minor annoyance. If the person is skilled enough, they can pull data for your card info. If they're very talented, there's nothing you can do to stop them once they get access. At any rate, how do you know for sure if a stranger has crept into your account? Be on the lookout for these telltale signs. 

Your Password And/or Email Suddenly Don't Work 

Your password has been the same for years now, but you receive a message that says the password is incorrect. So, you might be wondering what's going on. If your password and/or email don't work all of a sudden, it's pretty clear what happened. Someone has stolen your original login credentials. It's not possible to update the password and email on your own, so you'll have to reach out to Spotify. If you're connected to Facebook through Spotify, disconnect your account and change your password before reconnecting to Facebook. 

Odd Subscription Changes

In some cases, malicious actors will gain access to your account and leave your credentials alone, hoping that you keep using your account without knowing. Perhaps you've noticed that your subscription charge was a little bit higher this month. From your receipts, you can see that your subscription was changed to Premium. If your subscription has been changed, the price has changed too. You'll be happy to know that Spotify takes fraudulent activity very seriously. You'll be reimbursed; most importantly, measures will be taken to prevent such a recurrence. 

If You Have Access to The Account, The Changes Are More Subtle 

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you're not susceptible to cyberattacks. The truth is that even intelligent, self-aware people can become victims of threat actors. If you can still access your Spotify account, you don't even suspect it's been compromised. The intruder makes subtle changes. Your playlists disappear, you see songs you'd normally not listen to, or music starts randomly playing. Kick that person off your account. Don't worry; they won't be notified. Contact Spotify, offer proof of identity, and they'll remove any unwanted access. 

Music streaming services have to comply with all relevant national and international laws and regulations, including the GDPR. If you've suffered actual, probable harm, you can sue. Are you curious to know how much the average compensation for a data breach is? Consult with a lawyer and discuss the details of your situation. 

Things You Need to Do to Prevent Your Spotify Account from Being Hacked 

Numerous Spotify accounts are hacked every day, leaving their owners without access to the music they've curated. Believe it or not, it can happen to you. It might not be possible to recover a hacked Spotify account. Plus, the cybercriminals have obtained your login credentials through a data breach, so all your online accounts are in danger. Being online puts your data at risk, but there are ways to minimize the risks and make a hacker's job harder. 

Never Ever Reuse Passwords

If you're like everyone else, you reuse passwords because you want to have more control over your accounts. You won't get locked out, but you risk losing access to your online accounts. If a threat actor successfully targets, say, your email and gets your password, they'll use that password to break into all your accounts. Don't hold onto the misconception that you won't be unfortunate enough to be caught in a data breach. Having a unique password drastically lowers the chances of a cyberattack. 

Use A Good Password Manager and Locker 

It's difficult to remember a 16-digit password for every account. Rely on a password manager. With the help of such a tool, creating and memorizing different passwords is simple as can be. The password manager stores your login credentials safely, so you don't have to worry about remembering them. It's better than storing your passwords in a document on your computer or smartphone. This puts all your personal information into a hacker's hands. Evernote isn't safe for personal or private data either. Attackers can gain entry to your account. 

Activate Two-Factor Authentication If You Use Facebook Login

For the time being, Spotify doesn't offer two-factor authentication. If you log into your Spotify account using Facebook, you can activate two-factor authentication on your Facebook account. It will protect your Spotify account by extension. Two-factor authentication will add an additional layer of protection and privacy. Open the Facebook app on your device, go to Settings & Privacy, and select Security & Login. All you need to do now is choose two-factor authentication. 

Don't Stay Signed in On Public Devices

Tempting as it may be to remain logged in to Spotify, don't, especially if you're using a public computer at a coffee shop or hotel. Random people can tailgate and snoop around after you walk away. And there would be no major indicator that a stranger has logged into your account. If you use a computer at the office, lock it to prevent unauthorized access. Security can't be guaranteed, so remain sensitive to the fact that public devices are shared by others.