Skip to content
Tech Digest
  • Mobile
    • Acer
    • Asus
    • HTC
    • Huawei
    • iPhone
      • iPhone apps
      • iPhone accessories
    • Android
      • Android apps
    • iPad
      • iPad accessories
      • iPad apps
    • Tablet
      • Tablet PC
    • Samsung galaxy
  • Home appliances
    • Home audio
    • Home cinema
    • Home security
  • Future
    • Internet Of Things
    • Wearables
    • Drones
    • Smartwatches
    • Gadgets
      • Baby Gadgets
      • Celebrity Gadgets
      • Stupid Gadgets
      • Travel Gadgets
      • World Cup gadgets
    • 3D Printing
    • Augmented reality
    • Old School Gadgets
    • Cryptocurrencies
    • Crowdfunding
    • Motoring
    • Space
    • Transport
    • Vehicles
  • Media
    • Apps
      • Android apps
      • iPad apps
      • iPhone apps
    • Twitter
    • Google
    • Internet
    • Skype
    • Software
    • Video Converter
    • Spotify
    • Music
    • Websites
    • Yahoo
  • Transport
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Car stuff
  • security
  • Science
    • Space
  • Broadband
  • ABOUT US

Lost and Naked: A tale of hacking in World of Warcraft

30th April 2009 Duncan Geere Computer Security, Gaming
Share

Wow-eds.jpg

hawk-screenshot.jpgWhat would you do if you woke up half-way across the world with no clothes on, and just a mining pick in your possession? That was the virtual reality that faced Luke Maskell when he logged into his World of Warcraft character, Häwk, one morning. His character had been hacked into and everything of value had been removed and sold.

“They must have stolen around ten to fifteen thousand gold worth of goods and cash,” says Luke, “they probably would have earned around £50-£80”. That might not sound like much, but for his character it represents months and months of play in the massively-multiplayer online world where one of the most controversial topics is that of gold farmers and selling equipment for real cash.

Selling gold and virtual items in World of Warcraft is very strictly against the rules set by developer Blizzard. The terms of use for the game state, quite firmly, that “you may not sell in-game items or currency for “real” money, or exchange those items or currency for value outside of the Game”.

But is it a crime? Well, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told us that it was a very tricky one – it would need a test case to be determined, and it would depend on many factors. Complicating the matter is the fact that the virtual thief might not be resident in the UK, and Blizzard’s servers might be sitting in yet another country again. I put this to the Police spokesperson who sucked his teeth and told me that a court-case spanning three countries would be “absolute madness”.

“I certainly see it as a crime,” states Luke, defiantly, “the online assets are in the end, property of Blizzard, and someone is selling this property for real-world money without permission, they should be treated as any other criminal.”

hawk-login.jpg

It’s not completely clear how the attacker managed to gain access to Luke’s characters: “Virus scanners and anti malware software found a few stray cookies from websites I was unsure about, but nothing major like a trojan or virus. I don’t think I’ll ever find out how my details were stolen.”

Blizzard, for their part, offer plenty of advice on how to keep accounts secure. On their compromised accounts page they recommend you change passwords regularly and warn against installing dodgy-looking game modifications or using power-levelling services.

They also sell a device called an ‘authenticator’, which hooks up with your account and generates a second password that operates alongside your main one. This password changes every five minutes, so it’s impossible to log in if the authenticator isn’t in your possession.

wow-authenticator.jpgLuckily, this story has a happy ending for Luke: “Blizzard were great with the issue. I went through both the in-game ticketing system and their online support site to get my items and account back under my control, and they responded quickly and professionally.”

“They advised me on steps to take to prevent any further hacks, fully restored all my items and gold, and even gave everything that was taken from the guild bank back, all within 3 days of the hack occuring. I was very impressed.”

His guild – a group of players that he plays with on a regular basis – were very supportive, too: “From my guild, I got a general response of sympathy and people wishing me luck in getting all my items and money back from the game moderators. I had a lot of people in the guild offering me some cash to get me back on my feet and replace my items”

If you’re a player of World of Warcraft, or any other online game, put yourself in Luke’s shoes for a minute. Think about how long it took you to acquire the items that you’re using in-game, and how long it would take to replace them. Then go change your account password and buy an authenticator – in the long run, you’ll be very pleased you did.

Apr 30, 2009Duncan Geere
For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tagged Account duncan geere gaming gold farming hacking Security World of warcraft

Post navigation

Windows 7 Release Candidate now available
Apple setting up its own chip manufacturing arm
Recent Posts
  • Tech Digest daily roundup: Ford’s EV business has lost $3 billion
    Tech Digest daily roundup: Ford’s EV business has lost $3 billion
  • 1 in 3 Brits have never changed broadband provider
    1 in 3 Brits have never changed broadband provider
  • Tech Digest daily roundup: Google’s Bard chatbot launches
    Tech Digest daily roundup: Google’s Bard chatbot launches
  • Get the Job You’ve Always Wanted with SkillHub’s Matching System
    Get the Job You’ve Always Wanted with SkillHub’s Matching System
  • 1 in 3 drivers worried about price of EVs, survey claims
    1 in 3 drivers worried about price of EVs, survey claims
  • Tech Digest daily roundup: Oppo Find X6 and X6 Pro launch with cameras galore
    Tech Digest daily roundup: Oppo Find X6 and X6 Pro launch with cameras galore
  • Tech Digest daily roundup: Donald Trump’s YouTube account reinstated
    Tech Digest daily roundup: Donald Trump’s YouTube account reinstated
Categories
Subscribe to Tech Digest
Archives
Sponsors:

Honest reviews of the best phone tracker apps, monitoring apps and spying software.

The most reputable non GamStop casinos UK that offer games to your gaming adventure

Actual reviews of online casinos, no deposit slot games and top gambling apps

 

Contact Us

Tech Digest, Tel: +44 7885 836842. [email protected]

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: NewsAnchor by aThemes.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
%d bloggers like this: