Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NCsoft answers questions on Aion's new security]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-new-security/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-new-security/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-new-security/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ever been in the middle of a duel with a friend in Aion and watch him (or her) drop offline in the middle of a conversation, then come back online on each alt, strip it down, and sell off everything -- right in front of your eyes? That very scenario has happened to me, and similar situations have happened to others. Even counting RNG rages, nothing really compares to the frustration and heartache of losing all you have worked so hard for in-game, and no one wants to experience this. With this in mind, NCsoft has introduced an extra layer of security -- a new PIN system designed to better safeguard your virtual stash.

We were able to speak with Sean Neil, Associate Producer of Aion, and Lance Stites, Executive Vice President of Game Operations and Production at NCsoft West, to bring you the scoop on this new system.

Join us past the cut to hear what they had to say.

Continue reading NCsoft answers questions on Aion's new security

MassivelyNCsoft answers questions on Aion's new security originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember how we always tell you to remain vigilant against malicious programs that can compromise your MMO account's security? Well, it seems we now have more reason to remain vigilant.

Microsoft's latest security intelligence report covers the resurgence of worm type viruses and specifically mentions one that targets MMO players -- Taterf. As a worm, Taterf attempts to divine the user's account name and password through keystroke logging, reading the active memory, and even injecting itself into the game client. Either way, by the end of it, you end up naked and goldless. Hrm, we wonder if Taterf has been masquerading itself as our last girlfriend.

Continue reading Microsoft warns users of worm that targets MMO players

MassivelyMicrosoft warns users of worm that targets MMO players originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big concerns require authoritative answers, and to get those, you often have to go to the top. That's what our friends at WoW Insider have recently been able to do, getting answers straight from Blizzard, the masters of World of Warcraft.

As issues go, it's pretty damn big: not concerns about class balance or content, but about the basic security of your account, the protection currently being provided against hacking, and what the Authenticator key actually does.

Blizzard, who actively sought an interview with WoW Insider following a (since contested) report of a customer allegedly having his account hacked while using one of the new Authenticators, explain the specific steps the technology takes to ensure security. They also address player concerns about how reliable the Authenticator is. The bottom line: '... we have no verified occurrences of an account being compromised that has a Blizzard Authenticator attached to it.' The full interview can be read at WoW Insider.

For those that don't know, the Authenticator is an optional item (now available through the Blizzard store) that adds an extra layer of security to one or more World of Warcraft accounts. 'It supplies a random digital code that must be entered at login, providing an additional layer of security to help prevent unauthorized account access. Each code is valid for a limited time and can only be used once, so the Blizzard Authenticator must be in the possession of the account holder to log in to the account.'

Continue reading WoW Insider interviews Blizzard on security

MassivelyWoW Insider interviews Blizzard on security originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you play online games these days, you always have to be mindful that you don't leave yourself vulnerable to viruses, account fraud, and hacks. Something as seemingly simplistic as a hidden keylogger in a UI mod can open the floodgates to strangers to come on your computer and take your account information. Stories abound of players losing accounts they've dumped thousands of hours into because they didn't take the proper precautions. While some of the blame certainly lies with the players, there are some critics who have charge that the MMO industry doesn't do enough to prevent fraud.

Enter the Blizzard Authenticator. This new keychain SecurID device can be attached to your World of Warcraft account, making it impossible for anybody to access it without the Authenticator plugged into the computer They'll be debuting the device at the upcoming Blizzard Invitational, but it should be available on Blizzard's online store soon at the low, low price of $6.50. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

MassivelyBlizzard Authenticator adds new layer of security, for a price originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Timmy is sick and tired of lagging behind his friends and guild-mates, all because of his inferior flying mount. He decides to purchase some gold with real money and buy his epic mount. Timmy thinks to himself, "It doesn't really hurt anyone, does it?" The answer to that question is, "Yes Timmy, it does". The European World of Warcraft site has listed a gold-selling FAQ that aims to educate players like Timmy on some of the consequences of purchasing products and services from a gold-selling company.

The site lists the obvious stuff, like spammers and bots, which both annoy people and take up Blizzard resources that could be put to better use, but the article also brings up some things that aren't always mentioned. Much of the gold that these companies trade in comes from hacked accounts, and many accounts are hacked after the owner enlists the aid of a power-leveling service. When the companies have access to the account, the unfortunate victim may also find their personal details being used for identity theft and credit card fraud. The bottom line is, without people using these services, the companies could not continue to operate. We here at Massively are also vehemently opposed to gold-selling, and agree wholeheartedly with Blizzard's message. Just say no, Timmy.

MassivelyPublic service announcement from WoW Europe discourages gold buying originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-gold-sellingblizzardbotbottingfarmergold-farmergold-sellinggold-spammerhacked-accountkeyloggerpower-levelingspammerwowFri, 22 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why virtual thefts matter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/why-virtual-thefts-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/why-virtual-thefts-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/why-virtual-thefts-matter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Real thefts occur in the real world all the time - we know that, and our respective justice systems have long since evolved to deal with them.

When it comes down to virtual theft (characters, gold, or items) whether actually taken from an account or replicated by use of an exploit - most people don't really think it matters. It's not happening in the physical world, right? So it shouldn't, right? Well, it does, and here's why.

Continue reading Why virtual thefts matter

MassivelyWhy virtual thefts matter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-hackdupesexploitsfeaturedgigagamezhacked-accountkeyloggerlegallotromicrotransactionsopinionrase-kenzoterms-of-serviceterms-of-usevirtual-theftvolkov-cattaneowagner-james-auworld-of-warcraftMon, 19 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST