They’re out to get you, you aren’t paranoid.
There are hundreds of thousands of people out there making profit off the World of Warcraft that are hacked, and there are people out there who make a living breaking into accounts.
Don’t be stupid. Protect yourself. I can count on one hand the people who have been hacked in my guild, and we’re fortunate because as a guild, we don’t really “offer” what hackers are.
But that doesn’t mean we like to see it, nor does it mean we enjoy dealing with the aftermath.
For tips on protecting yourself and what to do if you’re hacked, read below the break.
Get an authenticator
Having an authenticator on your account does two things. It protects you, and it prevents hackers from putting an authenticator on your account. There’s only one known way around an authenticator, what is called a “man in the middle” type of attack. It’s very limited in its effectiveness.
Authenticators are free for the iPhone and iTouch devices, cheap on other mobile phones, and only about $7. Shipping is free in the USA.
There’s really no excuse except “I’m lazy” to not have an authenticator. Blizzard is even considering shipping the game with them now.
Update your computer
Update Adobe products. Adobe products probably offer the biggest vulernability to World of Warcraft accounts, having had at least three flaws which have allowed hackers to use the Flash software to crack accounts.
The only excuse for not updating your computer is “I’m a lazy retard.”
Don’t be stupid
Don’t visit questionable sites. Don’t use your password anywhere else. You don’t need to enter your password to view characters on WoW Armory. Blizzard will never ask for your password in an e-mail because they don’t need it.
Some of those e-mails look real. Don’t be fooled. They will use your name.
Use the Launcher
Using the launcher, rather than going straight to the game, can avoid malicious programs from running. There is a check in the launcher that ensures the program loading hasn’t been altered. And your launcher will never ask for your password, either.
Help! I’ve been hacked!
Don’t panic. You will get your account back, but it could take time. The first thing you need to do is change your password, preferably using a different computer.
Hackers nowadays often use authenticators against us. By placing one on our account, even if we change our password we’re still locked out. So don’t expect changing the password to solve the problem.
If you can get into your account on a safe computer, let us know you’ve been hacked, or contact shryn via e-mail (shryndael AT wearepox.com) or msn (rhennaya AT hotmail.com).
You should also be using a tool like spybot search & destroy as well as a reputable virus scanner to scan your computer and clean it like your in-laws want to eat off the floor.
You will also need to contact Blizzard by phone to let them know your account has been compromised. Your account has likely been banned for illegal behaviour, so you need to do this not only to save your ass, but to clear away the banning or any warnings you may have received while your account was compromised.
Next, you need an authenticator. Have I made that clear?