Nintendo Ensures Nearly 160,000 Accounts Can Be Held, Personal Details Clearly Threatened

This week, a growing number of Nintendo account holders have been reporting suspicious activity on their accounts, sometimes including unauthorized logs and payments used to buy digital goods from Nintendo digital stores. In response, Nintendo advised players to set up 2-step verification to add another layer of security to their accounts, and they have now released official statement.

Posted on Japan's Nintendo website, the statement confirms that approximately 160,000 Nintendo accounts that use Nintendo Network ID login may have been affected by unauthorized logging. These fraud attempts have been taking place since the beginning of April.

Nintendo says you have now completed the opt-in option using the Nintendo Network ID and will enforce password renewal for any accounts directly affected, or use that sign-in method. Anyone affected by these changes will be notified by email.

Nintendo warns that information such as a player's nickname, date of birth, country / region, or email address may be considered by a third party if linked to the Nintendo Network ID. Players credit card information remains safe and secure.

We've shared this many times before, but we recommend that you set up 2-step verification for your account to be as safe as possible, following Nintendo's own advice. Here's how:

How to set up 2-Step Verification for my Nintendo Switch Account

1. To Nintendo Account Website and Sign in to your Nintendo account.
2. Select Sign-in and security settings, then threaten the ground 2-Step Verification and then click Edit.
3. Click 2-Step Verification settings.
4. Click Send email to receive a verification code sent to the file's email address.
   • If the email address is incorrect, click Email address menu adjustment below User Details to change it.
5. Enter the verification code from the email, then Send.
6. Enter Google Authenticator app on your smart device.
   • This is a free app, available through Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS).
7. Use the smart device app to scan the QR code displayed on your Nintendo Account screen.
8. The 6-digit verification code will appear on your smart device. Enter the verification code in the field under Step 3 on the Nintendo Account screen Send.
9. A list of backup codes will appear. Click Copy copy all the codes, and paste them into a safe place.
   • The backup code will be you need to sign in if you don't have access to the Google Authenticator app. BE SURE TO TRAIN HERE.
   • You can use these (one time) if you can't access the Google Authenticator app.
10. Click I saved backup codes, is OK.
    • If set, you can return to 2-Step Verification settings section to update the backup codes and remove the 2-step limit.