If you’re a short-term rental host, then you know that getting your Airbnb account hacked is one of the most stressful situations that can happen. Unfortunately, it happens from time to time, and if it does happen to you, it’s essential to know what to do. In this blog post, we will discuss what to do when a short-term rental hosting account is hacked and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

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How an Airbnb Account May Get Hacked

Scammers have been getting more and more sophisticated as time goes on. Below are a few common scams to keep an eye out for:

Phishing

This is when a fraudster sends an email or other message that appears to be from the hosting site but is actually fake. They may try to trick you into clicking on a link that takes you to a fake website where they can steal your login information.

Spyware/Viruses

Another popular tactic that fraudsters can use to gain access to your Airbnb account is by installing spyware or viruses on your computer. This can happen if you click on a malicious link or download a fake email attachment. Once they have access to your device, they can then steal your login information and use it to gain access to your hosting account.

Poor Passwords

One of the most common ways that people’s accounts are hacked is by using weak or easily guessed passwords. If you’re using a password that is easy to guess, fraudsters can use it to gain access to your Airbnb account and then cancel your reservations or commit other kinds of fraud.

Signs that Your Account was Hacked

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s possible that your Airbnb hosting account was hacked:

You receive strange messages or requests from guests that you didn’t approve

This is one of the most common signs that your account has been hacked. If you suddenly start receiving messages or requests from guests that you didn’t approve, it’s likely that someone has gained access to your account and is impersonating you.

You see unfamiliar reviews or ratings on your listing

If you see unfamiliar reviews or ratings on your listing, it’s possible that someone has hacked into your account and is trying to damage your reputation.

Your account settings have been changed without your knowledge

If you notice that your account settings have been changed without your knowledge, it’s possible that someone has hacked into your account.

You can’t log in to your hosting account

If you try to log in to your Airbnb account but can’t do so, it’s possible that someone else has changed your password.

What to Do When Your Account Gets Hacked

While having your Airbnb account hacked is a pain, there are a few immediate steps that you can take to minimize the damage:

Change your password

If you think that your Airbnb account has been hacked, the first thing you should do is change your password. This will help to prevent the hacker from being able to gain further access to your account. They will be able to help you secure your account and investigate the incident further.

Contact customer support

You should also contact the platform’s customer support immediately to let them know what happened and ask for help securing your account.

Run a virus check

It’s also a good idea to run a virus scan on your computer to make sure that there isn’t any spyware or other malicious software that could be used to gain access to your account.

Review your account settings

Finally, you should review your account settings and change them if necessary to make sure that no one else has access to your listing.

How to Prevent Your Account From Getting Hacked

In addition to taking immediate steps to secure your account if it’s hacked, you can also take some preventive measures to reduce the risk of your short-term rental account being compromised.

Use a strong password

One of the best ways to prevent your account from being hacked is to use a strong, difficult-to-guess password. Make sure that you update and change these passwords frequently.

Avoid public Wi-Fi

Another way to reduce the risk of your account being hacked is by avoiding public Wi-Fi networks when accessing your account. Hackers tend to prey on public Wi-Fi networks.

Keep your computer up to date

You should also make sure that your computer’s operating system and software are up to date. This will help to prevent hackers from being able to exploit any vulnerabilities in your system.

Use two-factor authentication

You can also use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your Airbnb account. Two-factor authentication is when you use a second factor, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password to login.

Don’t click on links from strange emails or messages

Finally, you should be careful about clicking on links from strange emails or messages. These could be phishing scams that are designed to steal your password.

Final Thoughts

Overall, getting your Airbnb account hacked is a major pain. However, there are some steps you can take to secure your account and prevent it from happening in the first place. By using a strong password, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and keeping your computer up to date, you can help to keep your account safe from hackers.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!