Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

[KidE]

I've discussed this with a number of people, but most don't seem to get the issue I am arguing.

Back in November, I believe, Blizzard forced all of its customers to create Battle.net accounts and transfer their standard WoW accounts to those. So now, instead of using a made up user name to log in, one uses their email address.

As heavily attacked as WoW user accounts are, I see this move as a big reduction in account security. (not withstanding key loggers which negate all password security anyway)

I'm curious what the general consensus is to this sort of thing. Am I being paranoid?

[g3k_]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

I thought the same thing, and honestly, I think it is a valid concern. I recently started up playing WoW again and had to move my account to a battle.net account, but I knew through friends that you could add SC and Diablo accounts to battle.net now. Not only can you get access to your WoW account, but steal your CD keys for other games as well. To me, I don't find that kosher.

edit: disregard all that, the authenticator is attached to your b.net account. buy an authenticator imo.

[renderman]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Yeah, without an authenticator you are in some serious danger. I got my account nailed twice in rapid succession and there was little change it was my end. I get the feeling someone found a vulnerable in the system and exploited it and blizz has been quiet.

Got an authenticator and no more problems

[hexjunkie]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

I've been fortunate to have never had my wow account hacked. I think most of it is due to the 4ish years I've been playing I've changed my password about every 2-3 weeks and then when I heard about the authenticator about a year ago I bought one.

It isn't 100% foolproof but it does help.

[renderman]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

I've been fortunate to have never had my wow account hacked. I think most of it is due to the 4ish years I've been playing I've changed my password about every 2-3 weeks and then when I heard about the authenticator about a year ago I bought one.

It isn't 100% foolproof but it does help.

Funny part is, I now consider (from an authentication perspective) that WoW is more secure than my bank. I'm constantly arguing with them that they need more than a card number and a 5-8 char password. They won't let me do anything more secure.

Paypal also uses authenticators like this as well, but sadly they are not available in Canada.

[renderman]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Timely:

http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/0...come-Mandatory

Sounds like the authenticator may become mandatory, which makes sense if they find a way to distribute them for cheap/free

[KidE]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Timely:

Sounds like the authenticator may become mandatory, which makes sense if they find a way to distribute them for cheap/free

The part about their reps blowing their time on account recoveries is very telling. I'm hearing current ticket response times are 3 days at a minimum on some realms.

[streaker69]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Timely:

http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/0...come-Mandatory

Sounds like the authenticator may become mandatory, which makes sense if they find a way to distribute them for cheap/free

Aren't they already $6.50US? That's pretty cheap I'd say. I wouldn't see why they need to give them away for free, consider what people are paying for a monthly subscription.

[renderman]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Aren't they already $6.50US? That's pretty cheap I'd say. I wouldn't see why they need to give them away for free, consider what people are paying for a monthly subscription.

Problem is that moving the 10 million+ players to the authenticator means that you'd not need to begin including them in the retail box so people can get started right away. Also, for the digital download versions, they will need a way to get users running right away. Who wants to buy a game, install it and have to wait a couple days for an authenticator to come through the mail to use it.

I can see that with Blizzards eventual release of Starcraft 2, we could start seeing these things in every 7/11 and Best Buy in order to make sure that users can get them easily

[hexjunkie]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Problem I see currently is production and distribution... currently the authenticator is only available on the blizzard store and they are sold out quite often.

This is a very interesting problem indeed.

[streaker69]

Re: Is Battle.net a reduction in security?

Problem I see currently is production and distribution... currently the authenticator is only available on the blizzard store and they are sold out quite often.

This is a very interesting problem indeed.

To quote the W.O.P.R.

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?