How to change your eBay password

eBay users should change their passwords in light of the site's recent security breach. But the process isn't as easy or upfront as it should be.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET

eBay is asking users to change their passwords following a security hack that compromised a database with user passwords. So just how and where do you change your password?

eBay's home page now sports a Password Update notice with a 'Learn more' link to another page that explains what happened. But neither page links directly to the option to actually change your password, leaving users who don't know what to do or where to go in a lurch.

For all you eBay users, here's how you can change your password:

Sign into your eBay account at eBay's home page. After you have logged in, hover over the down arrow at the top of the page next to your name. A dropdown menu displays a few options, including one for Account settings. Click the Account settings option. Your account page appears. On the left side, under my eBay Views, click the link for Personal Information. At the Personal Information page, a section called Account Information appears at the top with a setting for Password. Click the Edit link to the far right of the word Password. eBay prompts you to enter your email address or user ID. Type either one and then click Continue. eBay asks how you want to reset your password, either through email or a text message. Click the option you wish to use. Assuming you selected the email option, eBay sends you a Reset Your Password message. Click the link in the email. That link brings you to a page where you can enter your new eBay password. If you picked the text option instead, eBay displays a form to enter a PIN and texts you that PIN. Type the PIN in the appropriate field on that form, and the page to enter your new password appears. As always, try to devise a password that's as strong as possible yet one you'll remember. I know, I know, that's not easy. As one idea, a good password manager can make the process of creating, storing, and using your passwords a lot more palatable. Enter your new eBay password once and then again to confirm it. eBay then prompts you to log in again with your new password.

You can shed a few steps off the process by not initially signing into eBay. Simply click the Sign in link at eBay's home page. Then click the 'forgot your password' link. eBay deposits you at the Reset your password page where you can pick up the process at Step 5 above.

In light of the security breach, eBay needs to make the process to change your password much easier and much more accessible. But for now, these steps should help you change your password without too much agita.