In the third quarter of 2024, Spotify had 252 million premium users, solidifying its position as the leader in music streaming services. Unfortunately, this also makes it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to steal user credentials. Are you one of the platform’s loyal fans? If so, are you using your account securely? And how can you tell if it has been compromised? Let’s explore the answers together.

There are several ways your credentials could be compromised. Let’s break them down one by one and explore how you can safeguard your account.

Phishing

Cybercriminals often use phishing emails as a primary method to steal login credentials from unsuspecting users. These emails typically create a false sense of urgency, such as claiming there’s a problem with your payment or that your account is about to be canceled.

Some Spotify users have reported receiving emails falsely warning that their accounts would be deactivated. These messages prompt recipients to click on a link leading to a fake webpage designed to steal their login credentials and other personal information.

To avoid falling victim to such scams, Spotify’s help section provides useful advice. The platform explains how to recognize legitimate emails and emphasizes that it will never ask for sensitive details such as passwords or payment information, request payments through third parties, or prompt users to download attachments.

Data breaches

Another common way your credentials can be compromised is through a data breach by Spotify or Gmail. If your email address is exposed, all services linked to it can become vulnerable.

Currently, Spotify does not offer MFA (multi-factor authentication) features for general users – only for participating artists. Because of this, it’s essential to use a secure email address and a strong, unique password for added protection.

To stay ahead of potential threats, regularly check websites like HaveIBeenPwned, which can alert you if your email has been involved in a major data breach. Even better, use cybersecurity solutions such as ESET HOME Security Ultimate with proactive Identity protection, which alerts users about such incidents. If your email account has been breached, take immediate action by securing the account or switching to a different address.

Unofficial applications

You might be tempted by an unofficial app which promises you free access to Spotify premium features. Such offers however violate the rules of Spotify and are almost always designed to lure users into sharing their account credentials so they can be leveraged by cybercriminals for Spotify and potentially other uses.

The solution here is simple – don’t engage with such apps at all. Even if the offer was legit, it would still be violating the rules of the platform.

Malware infection

Cybercriminals also use malware to steal victims’ login credentials. This is often achieved through keyloggers – software designed to track and record keystrokes, which are then sent to attackers.

To protect yourself, avoid installing unofficial software on your devices. Be cautious about what you download and remain mindful of the links you click on.

Keep in mind that even legitimate websites and apps can be abused to spread malware. That’s why it is so important to have reliable cybersecurity software such as ESET HOME Security. 

Why are Spotify accounts targeted?

You might be wondering why anyone would want to breach your Spotify account. There are two main reasons.

The first is to gain access to your credentials and sell the account on various forums and marketplaces at prices lower than Spotify’s official rates.

The second is to manipulate streaming data. Cybercriminals use a large number of accounts to repeatedly play a specific song or album, artificially inflating an artist’s play counts and boosting their revenue.

Additionally, while not directly linked to breached accounts, Spotify is sometimes exploited to promote pirated software, game cheats, or spam links. These links often appear in playlist descriptions, with attention-grabbing titles that advertise cracked software. If you come across such a playlist, report it immediately and, of course, avoid interacting with the links.

How can I tell if my Spotify account has been compromised?

What are the tell-tale signs that your account has been compromised? Spotify provides a helpful list of warning signs along with an informative video explaining the steps to take if you suspect your account has been compromised.

·       Unexpected changes to your subscription type.

·       Your email address has been altered.

·       Music playback changes or stops randomly.

·       New playlists appear that you don’t recognize, or your own playlists are missing.

·       Emails from Spotify notify you of logins that you don’t recognize.

·       You’re unable to log in to your account.

·       A Facebook account you don’t recognize is linked to your Spotify profile.

How can you avoid becoming a victim?

Now that we understand how these attacks occur and why, let’s explore the best ways to protect yourself from them:

1. Choose a strong, unique password:

  • For both Spotify and the email account that is linked to, use a long password that includes uppercase letters, special characters, and numbers.
  • Make sure that your password is unique and not reused on any other service or platform.
  • Consider using a password manager to generate strong, unique credentials for each account without having to remember them all.
  • Periodically change your password and never share it with anyone.

2. Keep your devices updated:

  • Make sure both your device, firewall and antivirus software are always up to date.

3. Download the app from official sources:

  • Only download Spotify from official app stores or its official website.
  • Be wary of apps or offers that claim to provide discounts or benefits that seem too good to be true.

4. Don’t share your account:

  • Avoid sharing your account with others, even those you trust, as you can’t guarantee they’ll keep it secure.
  • If you want to share access, opt for a family or shared subscription instead.

5. Remove third-party app access:

  • If your account has been compromised, revoke access for all third-party apps, as they might also have been affected.
  • Regularly review apps with account access, even if there’s no sign of compromise.

6. Log out of public devices:

  • Always log out after using public or shared devices, and never save your password on those devices or in their browsers.
  • If you’re unsure where you’re logged in, use Spotify’s “Sign Out Everywhere” feature to log out of all devices, then log back in on your trusted ones.

By following our tips and advice, you can enjoy another fantastic year with your favorite artists, free from worries about your account being compromised.