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Is Steam safe to use?

Safe

Yes. Steam is safe with Steam Guard on; the scams around it are aggressive.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
Valve Corporation
Based in
Bellevue, USA
Encryption
Chats are encrypted in transit, not end-to-end.
Data it collects
Account, purchase, playtime and device data.
Minimum age
13+

What keeps you safe

  • Steam Guard mobile authenticator.
  • Trade holds protect items from stolen accounts.
  • Refunds within two weeks for under two hours of play.

Risks to know about

  • Malware games occasionally slip into the store before removal.
  • Fake login pop-ups imitate Steam's sign-in.

Scams to watch for on Steam

  • "I accidentally reported you, talk to this admin" messages.
  • Fake trade or skin-gambling sites with fake Steam logins.
  • "Vote for my team" links that steal accounts.

Is Steam legit?

Steam is Valve's official store and is legit.

Is it safe for kids?

Use Family View to limit stores and community features.

How to use Steam safely

  1. Turn on the Steam Guard mobile authenticator.

  2. Check the address bar before signing in.

  3. Valve staff never message you on Steam.

Where Steam is restricted

Does a VPN make Steam safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop Steam collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Private Internet Access, Surfshark and CyberGhost

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is Steam safe to use?

Yes. Steam is safe with Steam Guard on; the scams around it are aggressive.

Is Steam legit?

Steam is Valve's official store and is legit.

Is Steam encrypted?

Chats are encrypted in transit, not end-to-end.

What data does Steam collect?

Account, purchase, playtime and device data.

Is Steam safe for kids?

Use Family View to limit stores and community features.

Does a VPN make Steam safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on Steam. It does not stop Steam itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources