"This ICQ number is already in use on another computer …" Familiar message? It means that your ICQ number is in the hands of intruders. What steps should be taken immediately to get the ICQ number back? How to avoid similar situations in the future? Act decisively and promptly.
Instructions
Step 1
If, when registering an ICQ account, you set a secret question and an answer to it, then:
- enter your uin number on the page
- enter the answer to the security question;
- specify the e-mail to which you will receive a temporary password (it is recommended to change it immediately).
Step 2
If, when registering an ICQ account, you did not set a secret question and an answer to it, then:
- enter your uin number on the page
- specify the so-called primari e-mail (the mail address from which you registered your ICQ account);
- receive a letter with a code to continue working;
- you will be sent a temporary password, which is recommended to be changed as soon as possible.
Step 3
If you receive the message "we cannot send your password to…" in step 1-2, check the spelling of your mailing address. If you cannot remember either the answer to the secret question, or the address from which you registered your icq account, unfortunately, your chances of getting your ICQ number back on your own are slim.
Step 4
If you were unable to get your ICQ number back using the steps described above, do not despair. First of all, notify your interlocutors in the contact list that you have changed the ICQ number. Warn your friends not to reply to icq messages from your former number. Secondly, advertise the loss of your number and ask for help on specialized message boards: recovering access to an account lost as a result of viruses takes only a few minutes for experienced computer specialists.
Step 5
To avoid similar situations in the future, adhere to basic safety rules:
- Check your computer regularly for viruses and malware that steal passwords.
- Do not use simple passwords for your ICQ account. Use complex alphanumeric combinations. Change the password for access to ICQ every few months. Do not use the same passwords to access ICQ and mailbox.
- Set a difficult security question, the answer to which is known only to you. It will be much more difficult for an attacker to find out the mother's maiden name than the name of your pet.
- Letting friends and acquaintances open on your computer, create a special guest account for them.
And remember: "He who is forewarned is armed!"
