Hello. I would like to suggest that Kingsisle sell Security Keys. For those of you unfamilir with the term, a security key is a device that ensures complete account protection. It is a physical device that generates a series of random numbers that act as a second password. You must enter these in addition to your username and password to log in. If it is broken or misplaced, you will be unable to log in, however. So, this should not be recommended for younger players. Perhaps they could enable restrictions, so they cannot be registered by those under the age of 13. This is excellent account protection, and it would put an end to hackers in this game. Feedback, anyone?
Hello. I would like to suggest that Kingsisle sell Security Keys. For those of you unfamilir with the term, a security key is a device that ensures complete account protection. It is a physical device that generates a series of random numbers that act as a second password. You must enter these in addition to your username and password to log in. If it is broken or misplaced, you will be unable to log in, however. So, this should not be recommended for younger players. Perhaps they could enable restrictions, so they cannot be registered by those under the age of 13. This is excellent account protection, and it would put an end to hackers in this game. Feedback, anyone?
Good idea, but this could royally muck things up, too.
For example, my boyfriend's WOW account was hacked last year. When he got it back, he bought Blizzard's authenticator app for his iPod, which is supposed to serve the same purpose as a security key- it would generate a string of random numbers each time, and he would enter those, along with his password.
As it were, there came a day when the authenticator wouldn't work, and he lost all access to the account. It took about 2 weeks, and 4 phone-calls to Blizzard HQ to get the thing reinstated, after which he deleted both the app and the game, because it wasn't worth the trouble.
Password security and internet safety are the user's responsibility, not KI's. Easy ways to avoid having your account compromised:
1. Choose a password that's easy to remember, but not one that anyone who knows you could easily guess- young children may need a parent/guardian's help with this. Stay away from names and birthdays, and never, EVER, write it down.
2. If you share a computer with others (or play on a public computer), always clear your history. If you have your username and password saved to a public computer, anyone who uses it now has access to your account.
3. Run virus-scans regularly, to check for cookie-grabbers/keyloggers. These are usually found on scam sites posing as legit ones, by altering the names slightly- both contain malicious coding that allows the hacker to take control of your account and/or computer. If the address in your browser-bar reads anything other than https://www.wizard101.com, log out and clear your cache immediately.
4. Don't share your password with anyone- not even your best friend/sibling/pet hamster (an exaggeration, but you get the point). Not only will you lose your wizard, but probably your account as well- I'm a mod on a poetry-site, and have dealt with too many incidents of account-sharing gone wrong.
(Example: Amy and Isaac are siblings, and share an account. They get into a fight one day, and Isaac deletes Amy's level 80 wizard as revenge; or maybe Amy thinks it's funny to log in as Isaac and take his stuff/say rude things to his friends/down-rank his warlord). I don't know if KI allows account sharing, but it's for reasons like this that I hope they don't).
Not a bad idea, OP, but I think the onus is on us to be accountable and take measures to preserve our own security.
Hello. I would like to suggest that Kingsisle sell Security Keys. For those of you unfamilir with the term, a security key is a device that ensures complete account protection. It is a physical device that generates a series of random numbers that act as a second password. You must enter these in addition to your username and password to log in. If it is broken or misplaced, you will be unable to log in, however. So, this should not be recommended for younger players. Perhaps they could enable restrictions, so they cannot be registered by those under the age of 13. This is excellent account protection, and it would put an end to hackers in this game. Feedback, anyone?
Good idea, but this could royally muck things up, too.
For example, my boyfriend's WOW account was hacked last year. When he got it back, he bought Blizzard's authenticator app for his iPod, which is supposed to serve the same purpose as a security key- it would generate a string of random numbers each time, and he would enter those, along with his password.
As it were, there came a day when the authenticator wouldn't work, and he lost all access to the account. It took about 2 weeks, and 4 phone-calls to Blizzard HQ to get the thing reinstated, after which he deleted both the app and the game, because it wasn't worth the trouble.
Password security and internet safety are the user's responsibility, not KI's. Easy ways to avoid having your account compromised:
1. Choose a password that's easy to remember, but not one that anyone who knows you could easily guess- young children may need a parent/guardian's help with this. Stay away from names and birthdays, and never, EVER, write it down.
2. If you share a computer with others (or play on a public computer), always clear your history. If you have your username and password saved to a public computer, anyone who uses it now has access to your account.
3. Run virus-scans regularly, to check for cookie-grabbers/keyloggers. These are usually found on scam sites posing as legit ones, by altering the names slightly- both contain malicious coding that allows the hacker to take control of your account and/or computer. If the address in your browser-bar reads anything other than https://www.wizard101.com, log out and clear your cache immediately.
4. Don't share your password with anyone- not even your best friend/sibling/pet hamster (an exaggeration, but you get the point). Not only will you lose your wizard, but probably your account as well- I'm a mod on a poetry-site, and have dealt with too many incidents of account-sharing gone wrong.
(Example: Amy and Isaac are siblings, and share an account. They get into a fight one day, and Isaac deletes Amy's level 80 wizard as revenge; or maybe Amy thinks it's funny to log in as Isaac and take his stuff/say rude things to his friends/down-rank his warlord). I don't know if KI allows account sharing, but it's for reasons like this that I hope they don't).
Not a bad idea, OP, but I think the onus is on us to be accountable and take measures to preserve our own security.
Cheers, El Veeb.
I do understand the fact that players should be able to secure their accounts, but good passwords can't solve everything. The general idea is to add to the security of the players account. Customer service would also need to be prepared to answer problems about these keys. But, I own a key for another game I play, and i've had it for several months without incident. So, seeing as Kingsisle is vigilant with customer service, they should be able to ensure the increased safety of a players account. Thank you for the feedback, and I hope players listen to the rules you posted, even if Kingsisle does come out with the Keys.
I do understand the fact that players should be able to secure their accounts, but good passwords can't solve everything. The general idea is to add to the security of the players account. Customer service would also need to be prepared to answer problems about these keys. But, I own a key for another game I play, and i've had it for several months without incident. So, seeing as Kingsisle is vigilant with customer service, they should be able to ensure the increased safety of a players account. Thank you for the feedback, and I hope players listen to the rules you posted, even if Kingsisle does come out with the Keys.
You're right- good passwords don't solve everything, but they can make all the difference. Vigilance really does make all the difference.
A few other things, re: password safety- change it regularly. That's a good way to keep unwanted guests out of your account.
