Hacked then Banned

[Manben]

They're only 6-7 bucks with free shipping&handling and if you got all your WOW's on one account covers them all

This is inherently part of the reason why I dont get an authenticator, not that I cant afford it, but why am I paying extra money on something I feel they should give to every single paying battlenet account.

You also said you run a virus scan every other day. Are you also running an anti malware program such as Ad-aware or Spybot? Gotta have both really.

I use Webroot which is an AV and Spyweeper.

[Tonuss]

While this comment has validity. I have been playing MMOS for many many years(starting with Beta for Everquest) and have never had to have an authenticator before. I am the only person who uses this computer. I only use it for WOW( I use my work computer for email, facebook etc), and I run a virus scan every other day.

I am the same way-- very cautious, very computer savvy, and I've been able to avoid any issues with malware at home for ~20 years or so.

...and I have had an authenticator for a year or so already.

I was worried that I'd become "that guy." The computer-savvy person who winds up getting his WOW accounts hacked and wonders how the heck it happened. Maybe because I'm in IT and I have to deal with malware infestations all the time, including on computers whose users are pretty savvy themselves. I did not want to take a chance with my WOW accounts. The authenticator is a must-have for a multiboxer, IMO.

[OzPhoenix]

Isn't the iPhone app free?

I respect your right to not have one, but I think it's a decision you may end up regretting.

It's not Blizzards fault per se, they are as much as anything else victims of their own success, with people paying real money for ingame items, gold and even whole accounts.

I use an authenticator and I had to pay $30 for mine (shipping costs to Australia), and while I was annoyed in a moral sense at having to spend money to protect myself from scumbags, it's still a small price to pay to ensure that when I do have time to play the game, I actually can.

Still, sorry to see you hacked, hope it doesn't happen again.

[zenga]

I'm truly with manben on this. You gotta think about it: a good part of the people who _need_ an authenticator need one because they are using at _no so_ secure system. Good chance their system is already compromised. Asking them to use their creditcard to obtain an authenticator can have other funny consequences. Quite a double standard here.

Myself I don't use an authenticator. For several reasons:
- I refuse to use my credit card online. I have a secure paypal account and during the 17 years i'm online, i've never used plastic. A pre paid credit card could be an option, but they are utterly expensive for the single time i'd use it (150 euro+).
- While some would call me a geek, i'm not into gadgets. My phone is 5y old and does his job: calling and receiving calls. I see no need to replace it to be able to load 3rd party software. Not to mention that most smartphones are insecure as hell.
- I run on linux. Which is by far a more superior system than windows (in terms of security, not willing to go into other aspects). I don't need to run a dozen malicious software fighter aps to be secure.
- I have common sense: my password is not in a dictionary and can't be brute forced.
- There are no authenticators available in the store where I buy my games. I live in a rather civilized country in the center of western europe. I haven't seen any authenticator either in france, germany or holland when i happen to be in a game store overthere.
- When shit happens it seems like blizzard restores your account, even if it takes a week. I haven't heard of a single case where the 'hacked' person gets punished for his actions (except this topic & the ban of course, which will most likely get sorted as well). If i can't play wow for a week due to that, i'll probably have more time to get stoned and will consume more beer.

I would consider an authenticator if:
- they are 100% fool proof
- blizzard would accept a secure paypal payment
- i could just go to a game shop and buy one

For now? No ty.

[Svpernova09]

Every time this comes up, the authenticator issues comes up as well.

It's really this simple:

If you are willing to lose EVERYTHING on ALL of your accounts and have to jump through hoops calling blizzard / possibly proving your identity to them (faxing them your driver's license or state / gov't ID) and waiting for GMs to restore all your stuff and HOPE to whatever sky fairy you pray to that they get it right the first time and you don't have to repeat the process because they forgot to give you something back that was rather crucial...

Have fun saving your $1 (mobile phone authenticator cost) or $6 (Keyfob cost). I hope your time you spend (should you ever have to) calling blizzard and getting all this sorted isn't worth more than $1 or $6. Personally, my time is MUCH more valuable.

Go cancel your homeowner's or renter's insurance as well. Why bother, right?

An extreme example, but it's the same point.

[Tamu]

I recommend you get an authenticator. They already know your battlenet account (email address). It will most likely happen again if you do not take measures to prevent it.

[zenga]

Every time this comes up, the authenticator issues comes up as well.

It's really this simple:

If you are willing to lose EVERYTHING on ALL of your accounts and have to jump through hoops calling blizzard / possibly proving your identity to them (faxing them your driver's license or state / gov't ID) and waiting for GMs to restore all your stuff and HOPE to whatever sky fairy you pray to that they get it right the first time and you don't have to repeat the process because they forgot to give you something back that was rather crucial...

Have fun saving your $1 (mobile phone authenticator cost) or $6 (Keyfob cost). I hope your time you spend (should you ever have to) calling blizzard and getting all this sorted isn't worth more than $1 or $6. Personally, my time is MUCH more valuable.

Go cancel your homeowner's or renter's insurance as well. Why bother, right?

An extreme example, but it's the same point.

I think you miss the point that it's not a money issue for some, but rather a principal matter. Or even an inconvenience they don't want to deal with to obtain one (for me personally that is).

While i agree with you that dealing with a customer service can be a painful & tedious process, i'm just curious how much time you lose in an average month by having an authenticator to login. If it takes you 5 minutes to login (i for one login like 3-4 times a day) all your accounts, than i'm not sure if your comparison still wins.

[Svpernova09]

I think you miss the point that it's not a money issue for some, but rather a principal matter. Or even an inconvenience they don't want to deal with to obtain one (for me personally that is).

While i agree with you that dealing with a customer service can be a painful & tedious process, i'm just curious how much time you lose in an average month by having an authenticator to login. If it takes you 5 minutes to login (i for one login like 3-4 times a day) all your accounts, than i'm not sure if your comparison still wins.

I see your point. For me, the peace of mind the authenticator gives goes a long, long way.

[emps]

I'm a safe web user as well as I have my gaming rig isolated from other functions as web surfing, etc..etc.. However, I know the phishers already have my battlenet email as they have been trying to phish my email account linked to battlenet. Oh well. But they haven't been able to go any further. I do have an authenticator, probably one of the early adopters even. I bought one simply because I know I'd be pissed if I see my toons dry and naked at some point. I'm ok paying for it as I do with extended warranties, insurance, hell even local and national security in the form of taxes. You may or may not choose to get one depending on your principles but if you don't and get compromised then don't be surprised and just accept the fact that its a hassle. There's always a price you pay for security.

[Myc]

Yeah idk, a friend got me an authenticator from the last blizzcon..but it seems like a hassle to have to carry it around (keychain)..
tho only time I am not playing at my house would be on my laptop so don't really need to carry...
hmmm.. maybe I should start using it