Valve Unveils Hardware-Based Steam Security
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
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The new system allows a user to link their Steam account to as many computers as they please.
How it works is simple, it doesn't install anything extra onto your computer, first you just participate in the Steam Beta that's out right now which means it's completely optional. Once signed up for the beta, it's automatically set.
Steam will check every time you log on what computer your on without using any malware. It will automatically trust whatever computer you started the beta on. From then on if someone tries to sign on with your information, before they are allowed on, they will be required to input a special onetime use code which can only be acquired through an email which is sent to the Verified Email address linked with that Steam account. Unless they have that code, they can't get into your Steam Account even if they have your username and password.
This will also help if you want to add a new computer to the trusted list. You log on to your steam on the new computer, go to your email, select whether or not you want to trust that computer, and your done, and if some hacker tries to you can just hit deny and they will not be able to get on.
And you'll be able to set up a kind of, "Master Control" computer, scary name but just listen. It'll essentially be the only computer that can change major account details, like Password, email and what not.
So no worrying about "Trusted Computing" crap, Steam isn't installing anything new on your computer, it's just adding some extra checks when you log on. So n o need to worry about Hal saying, "I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you log onto your Steam Account." Or some stupid program that will let outside companies control your computer.
This is not Steam or Valve trying to control how you play games or how much content you can or can not access, this is just a long needed, SECURITY update for the user that will help stop a lot of phishing scams and help alleviate some of the stress on Steams User Support since their main flow of support tickets comes from people who've had their accounts hijacked.
Gabe Newell has so much confidence in this new feature, he gave out his usename and password for his Steam Account to the public. And nope, he hasn't been successfully hacked yet.
How it works is simple, it doesn't install anything extra onto your computer, first you just participate in the Steam Beta that's out right now which means it's completely optional. Once signed up for the beta, it's automatically set.
Steam will check every time you log on what computer your on without using any malware. It will automatically trust whatever computer you started the beta on. From then on if someone tries to sign on with your information, before they are allowed on, they will be required to input a special onetime use code which can only be acquired through an email which is sent to the Verified Email address linked with that Steam account. Unless they have that code, they can't get into your Steam Account even if they have your username and password.
This will also help if you want to add a new computer to the trusted list. You log on to your steam on the new computer, go to your email, select whether or not you want to trust that computer, and your done, and if some hacker tries to you can just hit deny and they will not be able to get on.
And you'll be able to set up a kind of, "Master Control" computer, scary name but just listen. It'll essentially be the only computer that can change major account details, like Password, email and what not.
So no worrying about "Trusted Computing" crap, Steam isn't installing anything new on your computer, it's just adding some extra checks when you log on. So n o need to worry about Hal saying, "I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you log onto your Steam Account." Or some stupid program that will let outside companies control your computer.
This is not Steam or Valve trying to control how you play games or how much content you can or can not access, this is just a long needed, SECURITY update for the user that will help stop a lot of phishing scams and help alleviate some of the stress on Steams User Support since their main flow of support tickets comes from people who've had their accounts hijacked.
Gabe Newell has so much confidence in this new feature, he gave out his usename and password for his Steam Account to the public. And nope, he hasn't been successfully hacked yet.
Right now, no, currently it does not require special hardware, that was a big thing, they didn't want to require a specific brand or make or model of a certain piece of hardware you'd need to enjoy this feature. I'm not exactly sure as to how it works to be perfectly honest, but no, you do not need a specific piece of hardware for it to work. Though Valve has said it will be working later on with Intel and their chipsets they plan on releasing.Tubez said:
And also I think this link should be passed around more
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8232-WSGZ-8021
straight from the people who implemented it without any website mudding up what it says
'Tubez said:
Yeah lol, but still in the end, after you have done those three restarts you don't get a popup telling you it's done but, if you do have the unfortunate chance of someone attempting to hack into your account, you will be sent an email about it and they won't be given access unless they have that code.
Yeah I know it seems to be kind of explicit, but I can hardly believe they would do that. Technology should not limit this and it makes little sense to reduce people's options.Tubez said:
I understand that you can play from anywhere, it would just be nice if you can restrict the management access to several computers, not in the least so you won't have to call support the minute your main PC crashes
