Has Warden Gone Too Far? I think so. Warden = Rootkit

[Texic]

blizzard has your name, address, credit card number, and I beleive a security passcode (mothers maiden name?) already.

They don't *need* to actively steal anything from the users, you've already given it freely to them.

And to the "invsaion of privacy" concerns - What are you hiding, and why are you hiding it on a computer plugged into the internet? Hmmm....?

I think that about sums it up.

[laeelin]

I have no problem with this as all...

Basically, people that are trying to cheat/hack WOW can no longer make sure that WOW isn’t trying to install a virus/access our CC information (you know, the information they already have)....

That’s the only change.

I find it FAR more likely that a low level billing support for some company I pay with a credit card that makes slightly more than minimum wage will steal CC information (Or even the waiter/waitress at the local Steakhouse) than any problem will happen.

Not only do I not have a problem with it, but I'll also give it a /cheer.

Today’s Dilbert kind of fits...
http://dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/ar...7113333116.gif

Common sense - You must have some level of trust for any program you install. I trust blizzard a LOT more than some other programs I have used in the past. (keyclone for example – I trust keyclone, but I trust Blizzard more)

[Tonuss]

His "plain english" version implies that while he does not have any reason to believe that Blizzard would misuse the Warden software (why mess with a good thing, after all), the current implementation could create points of access for people with not-so-noble intentions.

I would expect that Blizzard is very cautious about who is able to work with/on Warden and what is released, since they would be responsible for any damage the program does even if someone else was the culprit. With billions of dollars at stake (literally) I am hoping that they're neither so stupid or sloppy as to leave themselves vulnerable.

On the other hand, people can do some remarkably dumb things.

[Stealthy]

I think much of the problem lies with the perception of Blizzard, and thier poor history of communication with their player base...

Firstly, nothing was mentioned in the patch notes about Warden being updated. While I do understand that listing the changes to Warden would defeat the purpose of updating it, there's no reason not to notify players about it with a sinlge line description, something along the lines of "Warden updated with new anti-botting code". This would give Blizzard a level of transparency which would combat the fearmongers, and have the added bonus of making Blizz look like they are taking a tough stance on botters (+rep with their player base).

Instead they have done the worst thing - no official response and deleting threads on the forums that talk about it. They are creating the perception now that they are up to good, even if that is not the case.

They really need to stop treating the player base like two year-olds (even if a lot of them act like it). Like any relationship, good communication is one of the most important aspects - Bliiz really need to learn this IMO.

[Xzin]

How would we have known anyway TO opt out? They didn't exactly announce it openly.

[Texic]

Read the ELUA.. If you don't like the terms than don't play. It's clearly stated what they can do if you agree. Sure it's not specific information about Warden but it does cover it.

As for updated the player base on Warden updates it would completely defeat the purpose. First of all it in no way affects the game itself so it doesn't really fit in with the patch notes and second they don't want botter's to know it's been updated because that would alert them and allow them to attempt to avoid being detected.
It would be like alerting the police before you goto rob a bank..

[Ughmahedhurtz]

While I remain suspicious of anything like this that's hidden, I'm fairly sure Blizzard isn't planning anything nefarious with it. There's a breakover point where my paranoia becomes justified but I don't think this makes it there yet. Also, someone will figure out how to break this soon enough and things will return to bidniss as usual. :P

[kayb]

Imagine if all the software producers do the same thing as Blizzard. Allova sudden you have 15-20 corporations with encrypted unrestricted access to your computer....How long before the ad campaings become REALLY tailormade? This may not be exactly about Blizzard, but it sure as hell is about "opening that door".

If I had programmed Warden and knew that on a lonely nightshift I could tap into any system, do what I wanted, exit clean and cover my trail - I would.

[Wilbur]

One single person will not be able to "hax0r Warden" Blizzard will have X layers of protection surrounding warden and its distribution. What concerns me is the precedent this sets for companies. It gives off a certain moral ambiguity which is what really concerns me. Blizzards distinct lack of honesty about the subject is also extremely worrying. Whilst they do have a right to protect their property, they also have a duty to protect their users.

[Texic]

Blizzard told everyone about Warden when it was first released. They have no reason to alert botters about changes that are made. You guys also assume that there is no protection for the users. Do you know how Blizzard codes Warden or how it is actually run server side? All anyone knows it was is on the client side.

You have no clue what they are doing to protect us from potential malicious code and are making assumptions that there are no safeguards in place to prevent it.

This is why these posts are pointless.. There are about 3-4 people outside of Blizzard that really know anything about Warden and they only know the client portion. There is no reason to post these "OMG THEY ARE STEALING INFORMATIONS!!!" threads to worry people about things they don't need to.

Not to mention this isn't the first time Xzin has posted something unrelated to multi-boxing in the general forums that has turned into an opinionated flame fest. Please move this shit out of here.