CONNECTING THE WORLD THROUGH GAMES
Below, you’ll find information on different types of security risks and scams you may encounter as a Zynga user, as well as tips on how to keep your account secure. For unique issues related to a specific Zynga game, please refer to the Zynga Customer Support Page.
Keeping your computer secure can help keep your account secure. This section provides information on protecting your computer and account.
Phishing is an attempt by third parties to steal your account information. This section contains tips on how to spot phishing attempts and protect your account from phishing attacks.
Hacks, bots and cheat programs often contain viruses or other malicious programs such as keyloggers. Using them can be harmful to your computer and may compromise your personal information. Also, using these programs violates our Terms of Service, may violate the law, and can result in account suspensions or bans.
Keeping your computer secure can help keep your account secure. Installing critical operating system updates and keeping your anti-malware software current can help keep your computer safe from malicious programs and anyone attempting to steal your private information.
Disclaimer: Zynga cannot directly support specific Internet security software. Please contact the distributor of the software for more information and product support.
If you are using Windows, ensure that you have the most recent security and service packs installed. The Microsoft Security Home Page contains additional information concerning current risks, as well as tips on how to protect yourself.
If you are using a Mac operating system, please visit the Apple Product Security Page to ensure you have installed the most current security updates.
Firewall software is intended to protect a computer or network against unauthorized access of external threats, such as hackers, from another network. Firewall software can prevent your computer from communicating directly with certain computers outside your network and vice versa.
Malware is software designed to infiltrate your computer system without your consent. Malware can include viruses, worms, spyware, trojans, and other malicious software. Anti-malware programs can combat malware and help keep your computer safe.
Often, account compromises occur because a user intentionally gives their account information to someone they mistakenly believe to be trustworthy.
We commonly see situations where players choose to share account information with unauthorized chip sellers and loot item services. Not only is this activity a violation of Zynga’s Terms of Service [http://about.zynga.com/about/terms-of-service.php], but these sales are, more often than not, run by scammers. Giving any third party your information can place your account and personal information at risk. Zynga is the only authorized seller of virtual goods or currency for its games.
If you’ve ever accidentally or purposefully shared your account information, you should immediately update your account passwords.
Never give your password to anyone. Zynga will never ask for your password for any reason. Strong passwords are important to help you conduct safer online transactions.
Here are some basic tips on choosing an effective password:
Phishing is an attempt by third parties to steal your account log-in name and password. This is often in the form of an email or a website that pretends to be an official Zynga communication or website. “Phishers” use your log-in information to maliciously exploit your information.
To help you become a safer and more sophisticated Zynga user, we want to share with you some basic information that may help you avoid phishing attacks or similar scams.
If you have any questions about the collection, storage, use or security of your information, send an inquiry to 
.
Fake Zynga emails will request that you visit a specific website and ask you to log in. If you’re ever asked to click to a website linked within an email, please double-check the destination of the link before you click. Be cautious of links, even if the address includes "zynga", "farm", "mafiawars" or other words related to Zynga games. If you're ever suspicious, you can always visit an actual Zynga page by manually typing our address into your browser (www.zynga.com).
Ways to check the authenticity of the link:Zynga will occasionally send you emails relating to your game play, with associated instructions. Emails from Zynga will originate from either a zyngamail.com or zynga.com email address. However, you should remain cautious of suspicious sounding messages. It is possible for malicious third parties to alter their message appearance to make it look like the message was sent from Zynga (this is known as ‘spoofing’).
Any email claiming to be from the “Zynga Police” or “Zynga Security” is not from Zynga! These emails often contain intimidating wording and threaten extreme actions if a user does not click a link. We will not send you these types of emails. Any warnings issued from Zynga will occur in-game upon log in.
Many phishers entice Zynga users with offers of free or “exclusive” in-game items (coins, chips, gifts, etc.). These offers can come from: tweets, emails, fan pages, forum messages, or chat rooms. Occasionally, Zynga offers in-game extras on official Zynga pages, forums, or twitter pages. If the source of the message is not an official Zynga page, these messages are likely not from us. Please double check to ensure that it is an actual Zynga promotion! We generally recommend that you log into the game and utilize our in-game system for accepting any gifts. Be wary of overblown claims (ultra rare items, special access to exclusive “secret” content).
We all forget something, so Zynga does provide methods for getting your password reset. However, if you haven’t requested a new password in the last 5 minutes, do not click the link provided in the message.
Zynga is a member of the Anti-Phishing Working Group, a global enforcement association focused on eliminating the fraud and identity theft that results from phishing, pharming and email spoofing. Please visit their website for more information.
You can report phishing to Zynga by sending a message to phishing [at] zynga [dot] com. Please include the suspected link, as well as any information you have regarding the sender.
Hacks, bots and cheat programs often contain viruses or hide keyloggers and other malicious programs. Using them can be harmful to your computer and may compromise your personal information. Also, using these programs violates our Terms of Service, may violate the law, and can result in account suspensions, or bans.
Don't download applications that claim to enhance our game. Most of these programs are harmful to your computer, and are designed to steal your personal information.
If these programs actually worked, they would provide an unfair advantage and impair the gameplay experience of legitimate players. Use of these programs (working or not) violates the Zynga Terms of Service and may violate the law. Also, creating, utilizing, or distributing these programs can result in account suspensions or bans. We are proactively tracking sites that host hacks, bots and cheats. We would like you to work with us to eliminate this abuse. If you have any information about Zynga hacks, bots and cheats, and the sites that host them, please send us a message at phishing [at] zynga [dot] com. Do not support the people or websites that promote hacks, bots and cheats!
Zynga does take steps to monitor potential offenders, and will take appropriate action if hacking, cheating or violations of the Terms of Service can be positively identified.
We regret to hear that you have lost your items. Unfortunately, in most instances, Zynga cannot restore or transfer any items on any account.