Blizzard Sued Over Battle.net Authenticators

[Strazdas]

It's like the Google Help Forums...my god those are terrible "help" forums.

well, google doesnt have forums. what it has is google groups expanded to look liek forum with AWFUL structure.
but to be fair, i used google help forums twice, and both times i was told that what i wanted was impossible. but at least they responded.

Now blizzard really isnt a target for the hate but i guess Diablo 3 brought a lot of hate up for that too. then again authenticators, whatever happened to having a password that noone knows....

personally, i think blizzard is wrong that it does not inform people that you NEED authenticators, but that does not really substitute a class action lawsuit....

Will you please explain to me what of value you can get from a Steam account that you can then turn around and sale. Cause I still don't understand why you think steam is similar to Blizzards situation. Simple put how would you monetized hacked Steam accounts in away that it would compare to the profit of hacking WoW accounts. Every WoW has gold not every steam account has stuff setting in its inventory waiting to be stolen. Steam isn't doing anything special.

a colegue of mine knew a bug in steam that allowed him to "take over" unused accounts. like, hundreds per day. he used to sell those accounts on the web like selling games. but 3 years ago steam has fixed the problem and no more acounts in his pocket. he pretty much lives off the stolen account business though, so its good moeny i guess.

 

[acosn]

So you have to buy an expensive smartphone to be able to use the FREE authenticator. If you don't have a smartphone you have to buy the authenticator and don't claim the thing is optional, I had my account compromised once too and it's the only account I have ever had compromised.

I would say that the authenticators really are needed and they aren't really free.

It IS optional.
Like it or not, the "hack" is ALWAYS on the users end.
Can you 100% prevent it, no. Is it somehow blizzard's fault, No!

Most "hacks" are viruses or malware that log your login details from YOUR Pc.
These are usually from:
* WoW related sites (most of the time the site is unaware of this)
*giving your details to goldbuy/sell websites.
*phising mails like the one described above.

The last 2 is just user stupidity, the first one is the hardest to protect yourself against, but AGAIN, it's all on the client side.

Blizzard is selling the authenticators (or FREE apps) to provide with a added layer of security.
Like an additional lock on a door.
They sell these for 10 euro with 0 profit, and (if this still applies, it did when I bought one) you get a free in-game pet who are for sale at 10 euro as well.

This is an open and shut case.
Blizzard provides almost free additional locks for your door, if you leave them open, don't sue the locksmith.

It's interesting that no other online account I have ever had needed the extra security of an authenticator.

Of course not, WoW is huge, why pick other (smaller) markets when there is the behemoth called Blizzard.

Big company, lots of vultures.

You are overlooking the fact that Blizzard is not the only company that is pretty much constantly under attack. With so many companies out there that are under attack at any given moment, why is it that Blizzard gets a free pass on its inadequate security measures? Especially if they are going to require a Battle.net account and an always on connection to play the single player portion of their games? I don't have a problem with them offering the authenticators for sale(the hardware does cost something to manufacture after all), but if they are going to make them a necessity for a secure online experience then they should include them in the game box instead of making them a separate purchase which is mildly suggested. In the meantime they need to do far more to beef up their own internal security.

The only sure fire way to keep hackers off your computer is to isolate it from the internet.

If you have a computer, and it's connected to the internet, it can be hacked. Running a multi-billion dollar MMO doesn't make you less susceptible to this.


And it's not a requirement. I've had a battle.net account that could have been considered "valuable" for almost a decade now, going back to my original WoW account- though I suppose people used to get their Diablo 2 accounts hacked too- and not once did I have to deal with being hacked. I practiced what should be common sense internet security practices. This isn't rocket science. If it's on the internet, its not secure, no matter what you do. Even authenticators are hackable. No individual company has the resources to stay ahead of the global hacking community.


9/10ths of this isn't a case. Blizzard isn't responsible for the ineptitude of it's user base when it comes to computer security, and what they have done to address the issue borders on obsessive. Ignoring these authenticators that blizzard pitches at a profit, they're actually one of the nicer companies when it comes to having accounts returned and restored.

The other tenth still isn't Blizzard's responsibility. There's no perfect defense in internet security. They're not being burned at the stake for doing something as stupid as storing consumer data as plain text.

This really is just someone trying to make an easy buck.

 

[Bevin Warren]

Here's an idea... if Blizzard requires all their games to connect to Battle.net and they recommend an "Authenticator" which they don't take any profit from, then have a physical on included in every physical copy sold... simple.

 

[Hekler]

I created an account to post on this one.

As someone who works in IT security, the case is garbage, or at least, isn't tackling the real issue.

From what I understand of the Diablo III accounts getting hijacked, the log on credentials were, more often than not, obtained from Phishing scams or Fan pages, with forums, getting their user databases hacked. Not compromises on Blizzard's end.

Most users use the same email and password for a lot of stuff. If a person uses some random Diablo/WOW fan forum, with terrible security (which is most of them), all the hijacker has to do is, steal (via hacking) user info from that database and hope the user is dumb enough to use the same log on details for Battle.net. The hit rate is pretty damn good.

I've also heard of and seen a number of 'tools' for WOW that have imbedded key loggers.

If the methods I've mentioned above are how someones account is compromised, there is literally nothing Blizzard can do outside of providing the authenticators, which if you buy the physical one, is a freaking bargain.

We use similar tokens where I work, the cost for 1 user license and 1 hardware token is $250 (approx). Blizzard ofter physical tokens for $6.50.

Why do they do this? Because people are not smart enough to follow basic internet security practices, they offer authenticators to cover your mistakes.

PS

Steam has had a number of server side compromises.

PSS

Blizzard's Battle.net service is HEAVILY targeted due the potential $$$$$ that can easily be made by stealing accounts, big dollars to.

 

[SecondPrize]

If there aren't blizzard employees selling lists of inactive accounts I will eat my own ass.

 

[RJ 17]

Meh, I've heard worse things to sue over.

Hope they lose, though, just because I love it every time Blizzard gets kicked in the balls. All the BS revolving around the Diablo 3 launch had me laughing quite merrily.

 

[RJ 17]

9/10ths of this isn't a case. Blizzard isn't responsible for the ineptitude of it's user base when it comes to computer security

Sadly, if this trial takes place in American courts (as I assume it will) this statement will be shown as false. American courts have proven time and time again that they hold companies responsible for the stupidity of their customers.

2 girls successfully sued McDonalds because - after eatting there 3 times a day for years - they became morbidly obese. They claimed that they didn't know the food was bad for them, apparently failing to realize that fat cooked in fat would contain fat.

A man successfully sued his local water company when he burned his genitals after stepping into the shower.

America is a country where a burglar can break into someone's home while they're asleep, slip and break his leg in the kitchen, and sue the homeowner and win.

I want Blizzard to lose this one just because I don't like the company in general, but even I admit this is a frivilous lawsuit...doesn't mean the American courts won't side with the plantif though.

 

[Merlark]

Everyone knows that battlenet is about as secure as a screen door, The fact that blizzard profits from terrible security is a slap in the face. it's like paying thugs for protection money.

Blizzard may have big lawyers but the fact remains that raking stupid people of the coals because they are unaware that people out there are out to get their information seems pretty cruel. It makes me ill sometimes the way some software company's pad their profits. Bully for creative thinking but boo on being a decent human being.

 

[Timmey]

Everyone knows that battlenet is about as secure as a screen door, The fact that blizzard profits from terrible security is a slap in the face. it's like paying thugs for protection money.

Blizzard may have big lawyers but the fact remains that raking stupid people of the coals because they are unaware that people out there are out to get their information seems pretty cruel. It makes me ill sometimes the way some software company's pad their profits. Bully for creative thinking but boo on being a decent human being.

How exactly do they profit from the terrible security? If people are getting turned off by their security then they wont be buying their games, so blizzard won't be making money, I'm confused.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

It's interesting that no other online account I have ever had needed the extra security of an authenticator.

gotta agree with this,

and before anyone mentions, no, i don't play WoW or touch anything WoW related, i have and have always had my anti virus software up to date, the only e-mails I ever open are on my school e-mail from my school, and i'm not some old grandpa who can't smell a phishing scam a mile away anyways.

the fact that blizzard requires you to run their game through the battle.net account and has so many user related security problems, i would still call that a problem, as stated by crono I have never had this happen with any other digital account I've ever had, especially steam. And I can say the same for all my friends I know that play SCII/WoW and have steam accounts also.

and as i mentioned in my previous post, i never once played in any public rooms with anyone at all, and i had the game for a week and a half before it was stolen, i really don't think it's coincidence or more probable that it's always the users fault as many of you are saying.

I don't know if you know this but people don't hack WoW accounts cause they want to play WoW. They hack them so they can sale everything on the account for in game gold then steal all the gold on the account so that they can then sell that gold to players who buy it. Comparing it to Steam is a poor arguement cause there is nothing on Steam that you can make a relatively quick get away with.

WoW is a target cause it is the biggest MMO on the market therefore it has the largest potential gold selling market therefore if is by far more lucrative to hack a WoW then it is to hack an account from pretty much every other MMO in existence.

People are not hacking battle.net accounts for credit card numbers. I can't get more then the last 4 digits of my CC number of my account and neither could anyone that managed to hack it.

oh i understand what you mean, and i don't put my CC on their anyways, but that wasn't the exact point I was going for, it was the mere fact of being hacked on a "just because" basis, not based on some fiscal value. And now that you mentioned that, Blizzard has failed on some level if people can get away with that on such a risk free basis, while on steam you're going to have to jump through hoops and hoops to really get away with anything at all. (note: just using steam as an example, not the prime end all be all structure of how it should be)

then again, this is still just slight bitterness of having to be online for diablo III...*sigh* (no I didn't buy the game, it was given as a gift, so if someone is reading don't quote me saying I shouldn't have bought it.)

It is risk free behavior because it is not against the law in most places (if any) to steal virtual gold. Blizzard makes people jump through plenty of hoops I have had to call them to get my account unlocked before because I logged on to WoW while across the country on business they noticed the unusual activity and locked my account until I could prove I was me.

okay yeah, it isn't illegal, but that doesn't discern the fact that the person is a douche, if you spent alot of work doing an awesome (and i mean fuckin awesome) side walk chalk drawing for days and someone came by and ruined it via whatever reason, wouldn't you be pretty pissed? they didn't do anything illegal, but they were definitely a douchebag.

fair enough, I just don't see why they don't do that universally for the battle.net accounts, (hate to use steam again, but it works folks) they should make you go through the e-mail via a code you get anytime you log on to a new computer, so your account/game stays safe from hackers that way, and if they can hack both your e-mail and your game account, then yeah, you're either doing something very wrong or they are physically at/by your computer getting the info.

Will you please explain to me what of value you can get from a Steam account that you can then turn around and sale. Cause I still don't understand why you think steam is similar to Blizzards situation. Simple put how would you monetized hacked Steam accounts in away that it would compare to the profit of hacking WoW accounts. Every WoW has gold not every steam account has stuff setting in its inventory waiting to be stolen. Steam isn't doing anything special.

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again now, but if you really want SOME reason for a steam account, it is as simple as using it for tf2 and key farming, as steam keeps your credit card details on hand for fast/easy buying (just went and double checked to make sure)

also, once again, i don't use wow, nor have ever touched it, yet my account was hacked faster than i even had a chance to beat D3, which is why i was talking about my explicit case. Steam isn't doing anything special?

I explicitly explained that steams method was much better than what battle.net does, otherwise my account would've been fine. It has nothing to do with what they COULD take, it is HOW they could take it.

 

[Felgy76]

I've played for 6 years without an authenticator, and never once had my account compromised.

 

[Superasil]

There is a free iOS and Android authenticator app made by Blizzard which you link it to your account so I don't see why they are suing over requiring to pay more to secure their data. It does the exact same thing the physical ones do.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/battle.net-mobile-authenticator/id306862897?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en

The only ones who should be crying are the ones without an Android or iOS device.

Quick point though, it's out for HTC and Windows 7 phones as well.

All in all though, in all the 6+ years I've been playing, I've never been hacked, with our without my authenticator. I got it for my ipod touch first, then for my htc surround, and I've never had any problems. I find that alot of the times it's their own fault if they get hacked, but hey, i guess that's just me right?

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

I think Steam is pretty big too, never had any type of problems with them. Bank of America is pretty damn big too but once again, no problems with them.

Blizzard wants to force every game online as a DRM measure but they lack the ability to protect the accounts without an authenticator.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Steam doesn't have as many problems with people's accounts getting hacked (if any) because there's nothing you can do with someone's account. I guess you can fish through their gifts to see if there's anything in there, but even then there's no money to be made. Few people buy games from other people via Steam, usually they just trade with other people who have games they can gift. And a bank doesn't deal in virtual product at all. A hacker could do some damage, I suppose, but it'd be temporary at best. On that, the bank has a LOT of laws to protect its own ass, where games don't.

 

[Epona]

I think Steam is pretty big too, never had any type of problems with them. Bank of America is pretty damn big too but once again, no problems with them.

Blizzard wants to force every game online as a DRM measure but they lack the ability to protect the accounts without an authenticator.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Steam doesn't have as many problems with people's accounts getting hacked (if any) because there's nothing you can do with someone's account. I guess you can fish through their gifts to see if there's anything in there, but even then there's no money to be made. Few people buy games from other people via Steam, usually they just trade with other people who have games they can gift. And a bank doesn't deal in virtual product at all. A hacker could do some damage, I suppose, but it'd be temporary at best. On that, the bank has a LOT of laws to protect its own ass, where games don't.

Yeah, just keep making excuses for the fact that Blizzard has more security issues than most.

 

[newwiseman]

The authenticators are available for purchase for anyone who doesn't already have a smartphone or iPod touch to run the authenticator on, regardless; using a unique password, that you keep secure, will always be better than additional security.

This just sounds to me like a case of butt-hurt by someone who probably responded to those emails from yahoo claiming that they are Blizzard and you are trying to sell your Diablo III account.

 

[RoBi3.0]

It's interesting that no other online account I have ever had needed the extra security of an authenticator.

gotta agree with this,

and before anyone mentions, no, i don't play WoW or touch anything WoW related, i have and have always had my anti virus software up to date, the only e-mails I ever open are on my school e-mail from my school, and i'm not some old grandpa who can't smell a phishing scam a mile away anyways.

the fact that blizzard requires you to run their game through the battle.net account and has so many user related security problems, i would still call that a problem, as stated by crono I have never had this happen with any other digital account I've ever had, especially steam. And I can say the same for all my friends I know that play SCII/WoW and have steam accounts also.

and as i mentioned in my previous post, i never once played in any public rooms with anyone at all, and i had the game for a week and a half before it was stolen, i really don't think it's coincidence or more probable that it's always the users fault as many of you are saying.

I don't know if you know this but people don't hack WoW accounts cause they want to play WoW. They hack them so they can sale everything on the account for in game gold then steal all the gold on the account so that they can then sell that gold to players who buy it. Comparing it to Steam is a poor arguement cause there is nothing on Steam that you can make a relatively quick get away with.

WoW is a target cause it is the biggest MMO on the market therefore it has the largest potential gold selling market therefore if is by far more lucrative to hack a WoW then it is to hack an account from pretty much every other MMO in existence.

People are not hacking battle.net accounts for credit card numbers. I can't get more then the last 4 digits of my CC number of my account and neither could anyone that managed to hack it.

oh i understand what you mean, and i don't put my CC on their anyways, but that wasn't the exact point I was going for, it was the mere fact of being hacked on a "just because" basis, not based on some fiscal value. And now that you mentioned that, Blizzard has failed on some level if people can get away with that on such a risk free basis, while on steam you're going to have to jump through hoops and hoops to really get away with anything at all. (note: just using steam as an example, not the prime end all be all structure of how it should be)

then again, this is still just slight bitterness of having to be online for diablo III...*sigh* (no I didn't buy the game, it was given as a gift, so if someone is reading don't quote me saying I shouldn't have bought it.)

It is risk free behavior because it is not against the law in most places (if any) to steal virtual gold. Blizzard makes people jump through plenty of hoops I have had to call them to get my account unlocked before because I logged on to WoW while across the country on business they noticed the unusual activity and locked my account until I could prove I was me.

okay yeah, it isn't illegal, but that doesn't discern the fact that the person is a douche, if you spent alot of work doing an awesome (and i mean fuckin awesome) side walk chalk drawing for days and someone came by and ruined it via whatever reason, wouldn't you be pretty pissed? they didn't do anything illegal, but they were definitely a douchebag.

fair enough, I just don't see why they don't do that universally for the battle.net accounts, (hate to use steam again, but it works folks) they should make you go through the e-mail via a code you get anytime you log on to a new computer, so your account/game stays safe from hackers that way, and if they can hack both your e-mail and your game account, then yeah, you're either doing something very wrong or they are physically at/by your computer getting the info.

Will you please explain to me what of value you can get from a Steam account that you can then turn around and sale. Cause I still don't understand why you think steam is similar to Blizzards situation. Simple put how would you monetized hacked Steam accounts in away that it would compare to the profit of hacking WoW accounts. Every WoW has gold not every steam account has stuff setting in its inventory waiting to be stolen. Steam isn't doing anything special.

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again now, but if you really want SOME reason for a steam account, it is as simple as using it for tf2 and key farming, as steam keeps your credit card details on hand for fast/easy buying (just went and double checked to make sure)

also, once again, i don't use wow, nor have ever touched it, yet my account was hacked faster than i even had a chance to beat D3, which is why i was talking about my explicit case. Steam isn't doing anything special?

I explicitly explained that steams method was much better than what battle.net does, otherwise my account would've been fine. It has nothing to do with what they COULD take, it is HOW they could take it.

Aren't you cute you busted of a meme.

Fiscal value has everything to do with the frequency as to why Blizzard accounts get hacked over Steam accounts. Just so you know D3 has gold in it that can be stolen and turned into cash in the same manner as the gold in WoW. You don't seem to understand the fundamental reason why D3 and WoW accounts are hacked. It is not about a dick hole hacking into your account to destroy your chalk art for the sake of being an asshole. It is a business (albeit one where you have to be an asshole) and if there is no way to turn a profit there is no reason to hack an account.

Nothing is hack proof. If there were a way to turn hacked Steam accounts into a profitable business I guarantee that some one would find away to break Steam security and go to town.

Also wasn't Steam hacked a few month back, I remember having to change my password.

Google says! YES!

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/gabe-newell-updates-users-on-the-steam-hack/

So would you care to explain to me again how Steam does stuff better then anyone else.

 

[Jadak]

Don't see this going anywhere. As far as I know, Blizzard security without the authenticator is more or less what any service has, and the authenticator is just extra, not required.

 

[DrunkOnEstus]

Snip

I totally understand that if someone decides to be a regular internet user, then they have the responsibility of making sure that they're secure. It's incredibly easy to find 1 or more programs that practically take care of it for you if you don't click every link in your e-mail.

That said, Blizzard does have some responsibility of ensuring that the data they hold of yours is secure as well. Because they do get hacked, independently of what passwords people use or whether they keep viruses/malware off of their computer. Here's some sauce about that:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/blizzard-confirms-battlenet-hacked-6391135
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/362286/blizzard-hacked-battlenet-data-stolen/

Links even state that the authenticators themselves were compromised. I feel personally that user and company are both obliged to secure their respective data. That said, I understand the argument totally that "if you need an authenticator at all, then it's a fail on your part." But the point here is that this isn't the whole picture. Before this became an issue, it isn't made clear before sale that you NEED the authenticator to take place in the RMAH. It would be different if someone got hacked and you pointed and said "well that's your fault, you don't keep viruses out of your computer/didn't buy an authenticator." This is being blocked from a major focus of the game whether you take precautions or not.

Granted, I don't have a smartphone or anything that runs "apps" that don't execute with sh or .exe. And I will admit that I'm still bitter about the whole thing. I'd need to spend an extra 6 bucks to plug in a USB stick in order to forcibly play Diablo online alone or otherwise, if I want to make money off of my non-MMO online game. I don't like the whole idea of Diablo being an RL money making venture, it just strikes me as them deciding to move the black market in-house and profit off of it continuing to happen. That aside, I apologize if that whole mindset causes me to be biased about this.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

It's interesting that no other online account I have ever had needed the extra security of an authenticator.

gotta agree with this,

and before anyone mentions, no, i don't play WoW or touch anything WoW related, i have and have always had my anti virus software up to date, the only e-mails I ever open are on my school e-mail from my school, and i'm not some old grandpa who can't smell a phishing scam a mile away anyways.

the fact that blizzard requires you to run their game through the battle.net account and has so many user related security problems, i would still call that a problem, as stated by crono I have never had this happen with any other digital account I've ever had, especially steam. And I can say the same for all my friends I know that play SCII/WoW and have steam accounts also.

and as i mentioned in my previous post, i never once played in any public rooms with anyone at all, and i had the game for a week and a half before it was stolen, i really don't think it's coincidence or more probable that it's always the users fault as many of you are saying.

I don't know if you know this but people don't hack WoW accounts cause they want to play WoW. They hack them so they can sale everything on the account for in game gold then steal all the gold on the account so that they can then sell that gold to players who buy it. Comparing it to Steam is a poor arguement cause there is nothing on Steam that you can make a relatively quick get away with.

WoW is a target cause it is the biggest MMO on the market therefore it has the largest potential gold selling market therefore if is by far more lucrative to hack a WoW then it is to hack an account from pretty much every other MMO in existence.

People are not hacking battle.net accounts for credit card numbers. I can't get more then the last 4 digits of my CC number of my account and neither could anyone that managed to hack it.

oh i understand what you mean, and i don't put my CC on their anyways, but that wasn't the exact point I was going for, it was the mere fact of being hacked on a "just because" basis, not based on some fiscal value. And now that you mentioned that, Blizzard has failed on some level if people can get away with that on such a risk free basis, while on steam you're going to have to jump through hoops and hoops to really get away with anything at all. (note: just using steam as an example, not the prime end all be all structure of how it should be)

then again, this is still just slight bitterness of having to be online for diablo III...*sigh* (no I didn't buy the game, it was given as a gift, so if someone is reading don't quote me saying I shouldn't have bought it.)

It is risk free behavior because it is not against the law in most places (if any) to steal virtual gold. Blizzard makes people jump through plenty of hoops I have had to call them to get my account unlocked before because I logged on to WoW while across the country on business they noticed the unusual activity and locked my account until I could prove I was me.

okay yeah, it isn't illegal, but that doesn't discern the fact that the person is a douche, if you spent alot of work doing an awesome (and i mean fuckin awesome) side walk chalk drawing for days and someone came by and ruined it via whatever reason, wouldn't you be pretty pissed? they didn't do anything illegal, but they were definitely a douchebag.

fair enough, I just don't see why they don't do that universally for the battle.net accounts, (hate to use steam again, but it works folks) they should make you go through the e-mail via a code you get anytime you log on to a new computer, so your account/game stays safe from hackers that way, and if they can hack both your e-mail and your game account, then yeah, you're either doing something very wrong or they are physically at/by your computer getting the info.

Will you please explain to me what of value you can get from a Steam account that you can then turn around and sale. Cause I still don't understand why you think steam is similar to Blizzards situation. Simple put how would you monetized hacked Steam accounts in away that it would compare to the profit of hacking WoW accounts. Every WoW has gold not every steam account has stuff setting in its inventory waiting to be stolen. Steam isn't doing anything special.

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again now, but if you really want SOME reason for a steam account, it is as simple as using it for tf2 and key farming, as steam keeps your credit card details on hand for fast/easy buying (just went and double checked to make sure)

also, once again, i don't use wow, nor have ever touched it, yet my account was hacked faster than i even had a chance to beat D3, which is why i was talking about my explicit case. Steam isn't doing anything special?

I explicitly explained that steams method was much better than what battle.net does, otherwise my account would've been fine. It has nothing to do with what they COULD take, it is HOW they could take it.

Aren't you cute you busted of a meme.

Fiscal value has everything to do with the frequency as to why Blizzard accounts get hacked over Steam accounts. Just so you know D3 has gold in it that can be stolen and turned into cash in the same manner as the gold in WoW. You don't seem to understand the fundamental reason why D3 and WoW accounts are hacked. It is not about a dick hole hacking into your account to destroy your chalk art for the sake of being an asshole. It is a business (albeit one where you have to be an asshole) and if there is no way to turn a profit there is no reason to hack an account.

Nothing is hack proof. If there were a way to turn hacked Steam accounts into a profitable business I guarantee that some one would find away to break Steam security and go to town.

Also wasn't Steam hacked a few month back, I remember having to change my password.

Google says! YES!

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/gabe-newell-updates-users-on-the-steam-hack/

So would you care to explain to me again how Steam does stuff better then anyone else.

okay how many times do i need to say this to you? I was not arguing the fiscal value, any child with a single brain cell can understand that hacking a battle net account is much more worth anything, i was never arguing against that.

Spoiler: just in case you aren't catching my drift I have mentioned already again and again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

and I never once said steam was hackproof, nor was I trying to prove that it was hackproof, I was merely stating it's security was better for me, as a user, by making every user verify through their e-mail everytime they use a new computer, so when my battle.net account was hacked, that simple piece of security would've stopped them dead in their tracks until they also hacked my e-mail account.

you started the quote/attack war, so would you please stay on topic to what I was discussing, and stop bringing up shit that I wasn't arguing in the first place.

 

[RoBi3.0]

It's interesting that no other online account I have ever had needed the extra security of an authenticator.

gotta agree with this,

and before anyone mentions, no, i don't play WoW or touch anything WoW related, i have and have always had my anti virus software up to date, the only e-mails I ever open are on my school e-mail from my school, and i'm not some old grandpa who can't smell a phishing scam a mile away anyways.

the fact that blizzard requires you to run their game through the battle.net account and has so many user related security problems, i would still call that a problem, as stated by crono I have never had this happen with any other digital account I've ever had, especially steam. And I can say the same for all my friends I know that play SCII/WoW and have steam accounts also.

and as i mentioned in my previous post, i never once played in any public rooms with anyone at all, and i had the game for a week and a half before it was stolen, i really don't think it's coincidence or more probable that it's always the users fault as many of you are saying.

I don't know if you know this but people don't hack WoW accounts cause they want to play WoW. They hack them so they can sale everything on the account for in game gold then steal all the gold on the account so that they can then sell that gold to players who buy it. Comparing it to Steam is a poor arguement cause there is nothing on Steam that you can make a relatively quick get away with.

WoW is a target cause it is the biggest MMO on the market therefore it has the largest potential gold selling market therefore if is by far more lucrative to hack a WoW then it is to hack an account from pretty much every other MMO in existence.

People are not hacking battle.net accounts for credit card numbers. I can't get more then the last 4 digits of my CC number of my account and neither could anyone that managed to hack it.

oh i understand what you mean, and i don't put my CC on their anyways, but that wasn't the exact point I was going for, it was the mere fact of being hacked on a "just because" basis, not based on some fiscal value. And now that you mentioned that, Blizzard has failed on some level if people can get away with that on such a risk free basis, while on steam you're going to have to jump through hoops and hoops to really get away with anything at all. (note: just using steam as an example, not the prime end all be all structure of how it should be)

then again, this is still just slight bitterness of having to be online for diablo III...*sigh* (no I didn't buy the game, it was given as a gift, so if someone is reading don't quote me saying I shouldn't have bought it.)

It is risk free behavior because it is not against the law in most places (if any) to steal virtual gold. Blizzard makes people jump through plenty of hoops I have had to call them to get my account unlocked before because I logged on to WoW while across the country on business they noticed the unusual activity and locked my account until I could prove I was me.

okay yeah, it isn't illegal, but that doesn't discern the fact that the person is a douche, if you spent alot of work doing an awesome (and i mean fuckin awesome) side walk chalk drawing for days and someone came by and ruined it via whatever reason, wouldn't you be pretty pissed? they didn't do anything illegal, but they were definitely a douchebag.

fair enough, I just don't see why they don't do that universally for the battle.net accounts, (hate to use steam again, but it works folks) they should make you go through the e-mail via a code you get anytime you log on to a new computer, so your account/game stays safe from hackers that way, and if they can hack both your e-mail and your game account, then yeah, you're either doing something very wrong or they are physically at/by your computer getting the info.

Will you please explain to me what of value you can get from a Steam account that you can then turn around and sale. Cause I still don't understand why you think steam is similar to Blizzards situation. Simple put how would you monetized hacked Steam accounts in away that it would compare to the profit of hacking WoW accounts. Every WoW has gold not every steam account has stuff setting in its inventory waiting to be stolen. Steam isn't doing anything special.

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again now, but if you really want SOME reason for a steam account, it is as simple as using it for tf2 and key farming, as steam keeps your credit card details on hand for fast/easy buying (just went and double checked to make sure)

also, once again, i don't use wow, nor have ever touched it, yet my account was hacked faster than i even had a chance to beat D3, which is why i was talking about my explicit case. Steam isn't doing anything special?

I explicitly explained that steams method was much better than what battle.net does, otherwise my account would've been fine. It has nothing to do with what they COULD take, it is HOW they could take it.

Aren't you cute you busted of a meme.

Fiscal value has everything to do with the frequency as to why Blizzard accounts get hacked over Steam accounts. Just so you know D3 has gold in it that can be stolen and turned into cash in the same manner as the gold in WoW. You don't seem to understand the fundamental reason why D3 and WoW accounts are hacked. It is not about a dick hole hacking into your account to destroy your chalk art for the sake of being an asshole. It is a business (albeit one where you have to be an asshole) and if there is no way to turn a profit there is no reason to hack an account.

Nothing is hack proof. If there were a way to turn hacked Steam accounts into a profitable business I guarantee that some one would find away to break Steam security and go to town.

Also wasn't Steam hacked a few month back, I remember having to change my password.

Google says! YES!

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/gabe-newell-updates-users-on-the-steam-hack/

So would you care to explain to me again how Steam does stuff better then anyone else.

okay how many times do i need to say this to you? I was not arguing the fiscal value, any child with a single brain cell can understand that hacking a battle net account is much more worth anything, i was never arguing against that.

Spoiler: just in case you aren't catching my drift I have mentioned already again and again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

once again, i wasn't pointing out the fiscal value, i have no idea why you're latching onto again

and I never once said steam was hackproof, nor was I trying to prove that it was hackproof, I was merely stating it's security was better for me, as a user, by making every user verify through their e-mail everytime they use a new computer, so when my battle.net account was hacked, that simple piece of security would've stopped them dead in their tracks until they also hacked my e-mail account.

you started the quote/attack war, so would you please stay on topic to what I was discussing, and stop bringing up shit that I wasn't arguing in the first place.

Whats a matter? U mad Bro?

Just because you have experienced more security issues on battle.net then on Steam does not equal Steam has better over all security that is antidote evidence at best.