Valve Unveils Hardware-Based Steam Security

[castlewise]

I see a common misconception here. You can still _play_ games on multiple computers. This makes it so you can only _administer your account_ from one computer. So you can only change your password from one computer, or change your address, or do other stuff like that.

Personally I'm all for it. Security in a digital age is a big deal.

 

[Delusibeta]

It's a good idea if its uses is limited (i.e. changing your password). If it's used as a requirement to log in every time if you use Steam, then I'm passing on this.

 

[shado_temple]

of cause there is not much info yet, sounds like its optional and required the right hardware. and it sounds like it is settings and i guess buying things of the like. Not so much the gaming aspect.
Still wandering how it will effect me using steam on 2 different systems, big games on my desktop and little games on the laptop.

The idea for this security system is that it would limit any sort of account management to a single PC. Any computer would be able to play the games linked to the account with the standard credentials, but changing any information or settings for the account itself would require usage of the hardware-tied PC.

 

[Petromir]

of cause there is not much info yet, sounds like its optional and required the right hardware. and it sounds like it is settings and i guess buying things of the like. Not so much the gaming aspect.
Still wandering how it will effect me using steam on 2 different systems, big games on my desktop and little games on the laptop.

Shouldnt do as its only on account management according to the article. so only your personal details and possibly buying stuff.

 

[manaman]

So if my computer explodes, or I go traveling, can I unwire my Steam account?

Yeah, what if we change computers or something? Or, like he said, travel?

That's one of Steam's selling points, which is "take Steam with you wherever you go, and download your games anywhere!".

I would think that would of been the first thing they thought of and designed, after all, you don't design a lock for a door without first designing a way to unlock it.


I like this idea, and honestly I would love to see it implemented with a few MMO's too, that way people who play WoW or other games wouldn't have to worry about changing their password every week, and for a system that lets you buy games and whatnot that can be carried over across computers, this seems like a good way to increase your security should you enable it.

But I also wonder if I would be able to have multiple computers signed, I know I have L4D2 on my PC, but I also have steam on my laptop, if I enable this would I still be able to play it on the other computer I didn't get signed?

Physical locks don't have another way you can open them if you lose or break the key. It's not a good analogy. It could still involve difficulties to prove you are you and the owner of the account before, and if, they release it to you.

 

[newwiseman]

Great, so if my processors gets upgraded my steam is gone. Fuck You Valve and your plague service.

 

[MrTub]

Great, so if my processors gets upgraded my steam is gone. Fuck You Valve and your plague service.

Or you simply remove the service before you upgrade and if you forget you can simply contact the steam support and confirm it's you and they will unlock it.

But I guess you only want to find fault with it.

 

[Rainforce]

As long as it's voluntarily, I won't mind. If it's not, it's going to be just like Treacherous Computing [http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/can-you-trust.html]

Exactly that.
WELCOME TO THE FUTURE :

EDIT: I really like steam for what it is now, but I can foretell that if they continue to expand in this direction, I and many other people would be unwilling to support VALVe any further.

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

At first I thought this was some new scheme only allowing access to your Steam account/games on a single PC, but if it's just account management, this is actually a lovely idea.

 

[(=Nemesis=)]

Never mind upgrading... what if the CPU breaks and has to be replaced?

 

[Choppaduel]

what if you have 3 PCs?

what if you break your mobo & processor?

 

[MrTub]

Never mind upgrading... what if the CPU breaks and has to be replaced?

You simply contact the customer service and ask them to unlock it.

 

[theriddlen]

Well, i will not use it, because sometimes something just breaks in computer, and if that would happen, i lose my steam account with all purchases.

I'd like to see a Steam authenticator tho. Preferably in form of pendrive that serves as a key.

 

[MrTub]

Well, i will not use it, because sometimes something just breaks in computer, and if that would happen, i lose my steam account with all purchases.

I'd like to see a Steam authenticator tho. Preferably in form of pendrive that serves as a key.

Jesus christ... or you simply contact the customer service and ask them unlock it?

 

[microwaviblerabbit]

It seems like a good idea, but I am not sure that steam is the best place for it. It seems it would be better for a large company, so they could physically control admin privileges to their networks and software. It would create an extra layer of security that most companies would love. The same would go for schools and libraries as well.

Personally, I would prefer an external key or authenticator over this, due to the problems of hardware changes and component failure. Although it is strange that games have more security measures protecting them than online banking...

 

[captaincabbage]

I'd love it if Valve revealed some kind of game-like system, based around a bespectacled scientist some time soon.

 

[anian]

So basically they're making it more complicated for users, because they can't provide protection the way it is now?
If I can choose which account to connect with which pc/laptop...can't the hacker do the same? If somebody steals my laptop, there's far more important documents and information there, not to mention the value of the hardware itself as opposed to $100 or even $200 bucks spent on games.

Other thing is - print out you receipts! Proof purchase I keep in a drawer at home, that way I have physical proof. to show to Valve.

Btw they're already gathering a lot of data, if you fill out one of their Steam information forms, that things probs your computer, that I felt violated, so pretty much gathering commerical and marketing information for free, and you know what - I don't mind, they offer good service and good offers. But now they want complete control? A bit of privacy would be nice, Valve people!

 

[MrTub]

what if you have 3 PCs?

what if you break your mobo & processor?

You can play on other computers and just change password/buy stuff on one computer.

And if it breaks I imagine you could simply contact the customer service and ask them to unlock it?

It sounds promising, but what about situations like mine where half the time Im on my laptop and half the time Im on my pc which breaks a lot. What if I make my pc my main computer but it breaks. what happens then?

 

[Atmos Duality]

The same response repeated over and over and over.
Shit, I'd say that the topic is already devoid of discussion material.

Those of you who are worried about this becoming mandatory: It's based on proprietary tech from Intel for hardware that may not be distributed yet (the page for supported processors has no information yet, it's probably new tech for their iCore series).

 

[Echo136]

It sounds promising, but what about situations like mine where half the time Im on my laptop and half the time Im on my pc which breaks a lot. What if I make my pc my main computer but it breaks. what happens then?