Battlenet hacked

[Everon]

Hi guys, just a heads up for those who have not seen it that Blizzards "Battlenet" has been hacked.

I came across the story here: http://www.computerandvideogames.com...t-data-stolen/

The official announcement from blizzard here: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/securityupdate.html

And the F.A.Q from blizzard here: http://eu.battle.net/support/en/arti...6_bnet-support

This does effect us in the EU as and i quote from the FAQ:

"Accounts from all global regions outside of China (including Europe and Russia) Email addresses"

They are recommending all users to change passwords of their battlenet accounts and any accounts that share the same password, they also say that they will be forcing users to change their account security questions in the next few days. This also effects Mobile authenticator but not the keyfob one. Obviously this effects WoW, Diablo 2 and Starcraft.

Hope to have been of help, Jay.

[steaky360]

Thanks for the heads up!

From reading the article's you posted they are currently only urging folk in the North America region (which generally includes players from North America, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia) to change their passwords/update any similar passwords. However I'd agree with Everon's assessment and just get it changed if at all possible.

Apparently its only (as if its not bad enough) the email addresses or players in regions outside of China (excluding North America) which have been accessed.
Extracts below from extract from Battlenet FAQ clicky

Regarding account data:
Here's a summary of the data that we know was illegally accessed:
North American-based accounts, including players from Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia

Email addresses
Answers to secret security questions
Cryptographically scrambled versions of passwords (not actual passwords)
Information associated with the Mobile Authenticator
Information associated with the Dial-in Authenticator
Information associated with Phone Lock, a security system associated with Taiwan accounts only

Accounts from all global regions outside of China (including Europe and Russia)

Email addresses

China-based accounts

Unaffected

Regarding the authenticators:
With regard to Mobile Authenticators, information was taken that could potentially compromise the integrity of North American Mobile Authenticators. We have no evidence that other regions were affected. We are working quickly to provide software updates to users.
Additionally we believe the integrity of the physical authenticators remains intact.

Very bad news for fellow gamers in North America region but not exactly great news for Europe either...

[SmokeDarKnight]

Thanks for the look out, just got mine recovered yesterday after it was hacked last year in may after i stopped playing. Luckly he had only created about 20 character and not touched my own.

Called Blizzard and they were very helpfull. Got some time code software on my phone now that gives me a code everytime i log in. Battlenet authenticator. Annyoing to type in everytime but i'd rather that then my account with access to my bank getting hijacked.

[steaky360]

Got some time code software on my phone now that gives me a code everytime i log in. Battlenet authenticator. Annyoing to type in everytime but i'd rather that then my account with access to my bank getting hijacked.

I use that as well, unfortunately for the North American guys even that has been compromised in some cases. Blizzard are working on an update for it though, perhaps it will be rolled out to us EU folk as well?

Fingers crossed.

[DeadEyeDuk]

Just had a fabulous time reading the threads on MMOChamp and Bnet. Some people do really need to learn to chillax a bit more, stop jumping to conclusions and keep calm

My absolute favourites so far though are all those saying "AWMIGAWD! HACKZORD ON THE 4TH, BLIXX WHY YOU NOT TELL US TIL 9TH?!?!?!?!?!!?!11111"...

These are either children or adults without the slightest concept of PR or crisis management. The very worst thing you can ever do in a crisis, particularly relating to people's information, is come out and tell them it has happened without having any details or advice. These people have also clearly been living in their own little WoW-vacuum, completely unaware of the recent years where companies have waited a month to tell anyone...5 days is nothing

That said, of course I am going to change my log in details when I get home, why wouldn't I? Its good practice anyway and will not impact upon me at all. But I am certainly not going to scream and shout about it (not you Everon, I mean the bnet and mmochamp tinfoil hat brigade)

[steaky360]

My absolute favourites so far though are all those saying "AWMIGAWD! HACKZORD ON THE 4TH, BLIXX WHY YOU NOT TELL US TIL 9TH?!?!?!?!?!!?!11111"...

Epic!