Valve Unveils Hardware-Based Steam Security

[Rayne870]

i dont see why they dont just go with the Blizzard Authenticator method and not have an internal leak like Blizz did...

 

[Lyri]

*jingles WoW account authenticator in the air*

I see it coming.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Optional is good. I'd still like the ability to lock one or more machines into it though, that way if one breaks, I can still use the other to add a new one without losing anything.

 

[mikespoff]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

 

[JDKJ]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

Would they have ever said "Steam Guard will force users to limit control of their Steam account to a single PC" even though to say so would be 100% truthful?

Its voluntary, so I'd love to know how that's truthful. And if they want people to continue buying games from their store then obviously their PC will have to be upgraded at various points, meaning that at some point, the hardware that the account is linked to will have to be reassigned.

I'm not saying it is truthful. I'm just rhetorically asking if they would had said so if it was truthful.

And why are you so confident that it is voluntary? Because of the use of the phrase "will let?" That's not so clear to me. No more than "IRS Form 1040 will let taxpayers file their returns" suggests to me that the filing of a tax return is voluntary. As I read the sentence, the "will let" part goes to "Steam Guard," not "users."

 

[Skizle]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

They are saying what the program will do, not necessarily if its a voluntary thing, however it seems like it only affects Intel Processor based computers and right there is were it seems likely it will be volentary

 

[MrTub]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

 

[JDKJ]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

They are saying what the program will do, not necessarily if its a voluntary thing, however it seems like it only affects Intel Processor based computers and right there is were it seems likely it will be volentary

Thanks. I was hoping I wasn't the only one who saw "will let" as speaking to the capabilities of Steam Guard rather than the capabilities of users of Steam Guard.

 

[mikespoff]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

Oh, right - that makes a lot more sense.

In that case, sounds good! Hardware failure is the only remaining hurdle, then.

 

[MrTub]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

Oh, right - that makes a lot more sense.

In that case, sounds good! Hardware failure is the only remaining hurdle, then.

Should be quite simple to just unlock it if you talk to the customer services and verifies it is you so shouldn't be so much of a problem

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Tied to CPU? That's stupid. Why not give us a physical authenticator like Blizzard/Paypal, or a digital one for like iPhone/Android or something.

That's what I thought when I read the title. That would be a good idea. I don't know how effective it is though.

I don't have a Sandybridge processor, but it may be a feature I would use if it came into effect.

 

[John Funk]

So, this just seems like a limited version of the services already offered by Blizzard/Paypal?

Seriously, Valve. Just copy the Blizzard authenticator and release iOS/Android apps for it. No pesky hardware requirements, no one-computer-only requirement, and it's just as secure.

Its the same technology as the blizzard authenticator but built in on the next generation of processors. I wouldn't be surprised if blizzard and paypal don't adopt it. It means instead of having multiple devices for each different service you will have on inbuilt on your pc.

Which seems like a downgrade to me.

I have one device for them, too. It's my Droid. And I don't need to bother with customer service if I upgrade or change PCs.

 

[MrTub]

So, this just seems like a limited version of the services already offered by Blizzard/Paypal?

Seriously, Valve. Just copy the Blizzard authenticator and release iOS/Android apps for it. No pesky hardware requirements, no one-computer-only requirement, and it's just as secure.

Its the same technology as the blizzard authenticator but built in on the next generation of processors. I wouldn't be surprised if blizzard and paypal don't adopt it. It means instead of having multiple devices for each different service you will have on inbuilt on your pc.

Which seems like a downgrade to me.

I have one device for them, too. It's my Droid. And I don't need to bother with customer service if I upgrade or change PCs.

Well at least it's better then nothing so I do not really see why people are complaining since it's completely optional and at least I've been longing for something like this for quite some time.

 

[WittyInfidel]

I have no intention of using this. I have two computers, and I use both for my Steam. Whichever one I'm not using, my wife uses the other to access her Steam. It would seriously hamper our usage.

And isn't Steam's "take Steam wherever you go" versatility one of its strongest selling points?

 

[MrTub]

I have no intention of using this. I have two computers, and I use both for my Steam. Whichever one I'm not using, my wife uses the other to access her Steam. It would seriously hamper our usage.

And isn't Steam's "take Steam wherever you go" versatility one of its strongest selling points?

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

 

[Shjade]

So, this just seems like a limited version of the services already offered by Blizzard/Paypal?

Seriously, Valve. Just copy the Blizzard authenticator and release iOS/Android apps for it. No pesky hardware requirements, no one-computer-only requirement, and it's just as secure.

Its the same technology as the blizzard authenticator but built in on the next generation of processors. I wouldn't be surprised if blizzard and paypal don't adopt it. It means instead of having multiple devices for each different service you will have on inbuilt on your pc.

Which seems like a downgrade to me.

I have one device for them, too. It's my Droid. And I don't need to bother with customer service if I upgrade or change PCs.

But...I don't own a Droid. Or plan to buy one anytime soon.

 

[frago roc]

Just pray to fuck your processor doesn't bite the dust while you have it enabled. I can only imagine the migraine to re-establish access to your account should this happen.

 

[TechNoFear]

Either way, it will be cracked within a few days.

I don't think you understand what this is. The way identity thieves work is either via trojan, email scam(phishing) or brute force. This is impossible to crack by trojans or phishing, and offers enough protection against brute force to not worry about it.

An effective system against 99% of the thieves out there.

You forgot Man-In-The-Middle attacks, which this system will not protect you against.

 

[Ca3zar416]

As long as I and I alone am capable of switching which computer it acts on. As much as i love my computer it will eventually have to be replaced. (talking to computer) I'm sorry baby daddy loves you but there will be a day when we'll have to let go *sniff sniff*.

 

[Arcticflame]

This is a good addition, I will utilise it.

If my PC fries itself, it's not all that hard to ring up steam, or email them and give them evidence you are the owner of the account. I would assume there are multiple ways of doing this.