Valve Unveils Hardware-Based Steam Security

[MrTub]

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).

Since they said second generation Im guessing they mean Sandy bridge

 

[Echo136]

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 conect with which pc/laptop...can't the hacker do the same? If somebody steals my laptop, there's far more important documents and information, not 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.

The net worth of the video games on my Steam account is probably worth more than my laptop at this point. If I check my list of games, it says I own 100 games on STEAM.

 

[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).

Since they said second generation Im guessing they mean Sandy bridge

I concur. A cursory search reveals that there isn't any data on Core Duo(1 or 2) possessing this sort of tech yet. Those are the most common gaming computer processors of the last generation (from Intel, that is).

Unless every Steam user buys a brand new gaming computer this year, and the processor comes from Intel, there is no way for them to make it mandatory.

 

[MrTub]

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 conect with which pc/laptop...can't the hacker do the same? If somebody steals my laptop, there's far more important documents and information, not 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.

Since you need to be logged onto that computer for to change any settings so therefor the hackers cannot just change which computer to use as a "main" And I only needed to say my credit card numbers for to change my email/ or I could have given them a serial key that is linked to that account.

 

[Ravek]

Tied to CPU? That's stupid.

Why not give us a physical authenticator like Blizzard/Paypal

Because of equipment and distribution costs.

or a digital one for like iPhone/Android or something.

Because obtaining your hardware is a lot more difficult than copying some digital authenticator.

 

[MasterSplinter]

Why you guys ALWAYS call gabe newell "head honcho"? I mean i know he's the CEO or something but that nickname is getting a little repetitive.

 

[Knusper]

This seems like a good idea. I already have had my account broken into (well not really broken, I gave away my password unwittingly because it was still early morning) and I wouldn't want it to happen ever again.

 

[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?

 

[Woodsey]

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.

 

[Someone Depressing]

As long as I can 1.) Un-Wire my account incase my PC Bluescreen's again. 2.) Account Hacking eventually stop's.
I'm pretty happy that I can finally play in peace without some twat trying to blackmail me for my account!

 

[Albino Boo]

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.

 

[Liiizard]

See, the best thing I like about my steam account is the fact I can use it on any computer I want. Even so, it's a nice option to have.

 

[MrTub]

See, the best thing I like about my steam account is the fact I can use it on any computer I want. Even so, it's a nice option to have.

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.. So I actually think it's a great feature.

 

[anian]

Since you need to be logged onto that computer for to change any settings so therefor the hackers cannot just change which computer to use as a "main"

Right, because there is a protection that cannot be cracked. Especially one that's connected to the internet. If anything, it'll make it a challenge.
Apparently you can already crack Steam games (not that I needed it or wanted to do that) by changing Steam installed files and I'm pretty sure it's even easier to do it within the game files.

Still say that they're trying to hide the lack of security on their side.

 

[MrTub]

Since you need to be logged onto that computer for to change any settings so therefor the hackers cannot just change which computer to use as a "main"

Right, because there is a protection that cannot be cracked. Especially one that's connected to the internet. If anything, it'll make it a challenge.
Apparently you can already crack Steam games (not that I needed it or wanted to do that) by changing Steam installed files and I'm pretty sure it's even easier to do it within the game files.

Still say that they're trying to hide the lack of security on their side.

Well.. everything is crackable but I guess it's a lot harder to crack something that is unique to your cpu then having only a password protection? And since the only thing they can do against keyloggers would be to have an anti virus program search thru your computer every time you loggin (without adding an authenticator of some kind).

 

[Easton Dark]

Dang, if their company wasn't called Valve, they should have totally called it the Steam Valve.

............Maybe they should call it that anyway. Bring the whole gaseous vapor motiff together.

 

[syndicated44]

All you gotta do is buy a brand new CPU...

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

I'm just waiting until they start telling people that if you want to run a game, you HAVE to have a PC with one of these DRM chipped CPUs in it.

I wonder how long until the hardware is cracked.

 

[Harbinger_]

Intriguing concept but worrisome.

 

[(LK)]

This is the first time I've heard this technology talked about in a context where it was intended to be used by the user instead of against them, which is to say I'm not happy to see it gaining traction.

Before now I've primarily seen it described as the next great thing in DRM, but it's just a dongle security system where the dongle is built into the computer. It has all of the same flaws minus the ability to lose the dongle.

In exchange for that improvement, the process of changing hardware may cause you problems as a trade-off.