Hacking is the unauthorized access of ones account by someone not the account owner
Methods:
Password crackers-computers used to figure out passwords
Forced Hackings- the hacker figures out your password due to having an easy to guess password or method listed above
Database hackings- Gaia it's self is hacked, not common at all.
Key loggers- programs that install when you go to pages, usually without the user knowing it. They log everything someone types. Run an anti-virus to make sure you don't get one.
Phishing
The act/method of trying to get another users password.
Methods:
Fake log in pages- Look very close to actual gaia pages. Do not be tricked, if the url is not www.gaiaonline.com do not log into it.
Pop-ups- Boxes that appear in forums and on profiles that ask for passwords claiming they are a bot check requested by some other site. Gaia Online has no such bot checking programs.
Staff Impersonation- Someone claiming to be staff demanding users passwords usually claiming someone has done something wrong. Staff impersonation guide. If anyone, even Lanzer himself asks for your passwords report them. Gaia staff will never need your password for anything.
Note: The only places you should ever enter your password is to log in, market place, trades, and the mod application. No where else should ever ask for it.
Scams
Tricking another user into losing an item, cheating them out of an item or not paying someone for a contest.
Methods:
Items switched out in trades, just check your trades
Offering item in a trade via gifting (don't do this)
Not paying for arts or other such things.
