Valve Unveils Hardware-Based Steam Security

[MrTub]

Since you need to be logged onto that computer for to change any settings so therefor the hackers cannot just change which computer to use as a "main"

Right, because there is a protection that cannot be cracked. Especially one that's connected to the internet. If anything, it'll make it a challenge.
Apparently you can already crack Steam games (not that I needed it or wanted to do that) by changing Steam installed files and I'm pretty sure it's even easier to do it within the game files.

Still say that they're trying to hide the lack of security on their side.

Well.. everything is crackable but I guess it's a lot harder to crack something that is unique to your cpu then having only a password protection? And since the only thing they can do against keyloggers would be to have an anti virus program search thru your computer every time you loggin (without adding an authenticator of some kind).

 

[Easton Dark]

Dang, if their company wasn't called Valve, they should have totally called it the Steam Valve.

............Maybe they should call it that anyway. Bring the whole gaseous vapor motiff together.

 

[syndicated44]

All you gotta do is buy a brand new CPU...

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

I'm just waiting until they start telling people that if you want to run a game, you HAVE to have a PC with one of these DRM chipped CPUs in it.

I wonder how long until the hardware is cracked.

 

[Harbinger_]

Intriguing concept but worrisome.

 

[(LK)]

This is the first time I've heard this technology talked about in a context where it was intended to be used by the user instead of against them, which is to say I'm not happy to see it gaining traction.

Before now I've primarily seen it described as the next great thing in DRM, but it's just a dongle security system where the dongle is built into the computer. It has all of the same flaws minus the ability to lose the dongle.

In exchange for that improvement, the process of changing hardware may cause you problems as a trade-off.

 

[Rayne870]

i dont see why they dont just go with the Blizzard Authenticator method and not have an internal leak like Blizz did...

 

[Lyri]

*jingles WoW account authenticator in the air*

I see it coming.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Optional is good. I'd still like the ability to lock one or more machines into it though, that way if one breaks, I can still use the other to add a new one without losing anything.

 

[mikespoff]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

 

[JDKJ]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

Would they have ever said "Steam Guard will force users to limit control of their Steam account to a single PC" even though to say so would be 100% truthful?

Its voluntary, so I'd love to know how that's truthful. And if they want people to continue buying games from their store then obviously their PC will have to be upgraded at various points, meaning that at some point, the hardware that the account is linked to will have to be reassigned.

I'm not saying it is truthful. I'm just rhetorically asking if they would had said so if it was truthful.

And why are you so confident that it is voluntary? Because of the use of the phrase "will let?" That's not so clear to me. No more than "IRS Form 1040 will let taxpayers file their returns" suggests to me that the filing of a tax return is voluntary. As I read the sentence, the "will let" part goes to "Steam Guard," not "users."

 

[Skizle]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

They are saying what the program will do, not necessarily if its a voluntary thing, however it seems like it only affects Intel Processor based computers and right there is were it seems likely it will be volentary

 

[MrTub]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

 

[JDKJ]

It's a nice idea (assuming it's voluntary), but I probably won't use it. I like being able to access my Steam account and games on both my desktop and my laptop.

You're obviously going to be able to undo it. The reports a little vague on the details of how it works anyway.

This is strictly voluntary, right? Because if this is required, I'm gonna be furious.

Seems most likely.

"Steam Guard will let users limit control of their Steam account to a single PC, "

They are saying what the program will do, not necessarily if its a voluntary thing, however it seems like it only affects Intel Processor based computers and right there is were it seems likely it will be volentary

Thanks. I was hoping I wasn't the only one who saw "will let" as speaking to the capabilities of Steam Guard rather than the capabilities of users of Steam Guard.

 

[mikespoff]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

Oh, right - that makes a lot more sense.

In that case, sounds good! Hardware failure is the only remaining hurdle, then.

 

[MrTub]

sounds good, but runs counter to the mobility advantages of Steam. I run it on three different computers at the moment, so it's tricky to jump on this tech.

You can still use it on any computer you want but you can only change your account setting i.e your password/email/buy stuff on one computer..

Oh, right - that makes a lot more sense.

In that case, sounds good! Hardware failure is the only remaining hurdle, then.

Should be quite simple to just unlock it if you talk to the customer services and verifies it is you so shouldn't be so much of a problem

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Tied to CPU? That's stupid. Why not give us a physical authenticator like Blizzard/Paypal, or a digital one for like iPhone/Android or something.

That's what I thought when I read the title. That would be a good idea. I don't know how effective it is though.

I don't have a Sandybridge processor, but it may be a feature I would use if it came into effect.

 

[John Funk]

So, this just seems like a limited version of the services already offered by Blizzard/Paypal?

Seriously, Valve. Just copy the Blizzard authenticator and release iOS/Android apps for it. No pesky hardware requirements, no one-computer-only requirement, and it's just as secure.

Its the same technology as the blizzard authenticator but built in on the next generation of processors. I wouldn't be surprised if blizzard and paypal don't adopt it. It means instead of having multiple devices for each different service you will have on inbuilt on your pc.

Which seems like a downgrade to me.

I have one device for them, too. It's my Droid. And I don't need to bother with customer service if I upgrade or change PCs.

 

[MrTub]

So, this just seems like a limited version of the services already offered by Blizzard/Paypal?

Seriously, Valve. Just copy the Blizzard authenticator and release iOS/Android apps for it. No pesky hardware requirements, no one-computer-only requirement, and it's just as secure.

Its the same technology as the blizzard authenticator but built in on the next generation of processors. I wouldn't be surprised if blizzard and paypal don't adopt it. It means instead of having multiple devices for each different service you will have on inbuilt on your pc.

Which seems like a downgrade to me.

I have one device for them, too. It's my Droid. And I don't need to bother with customer service if I upgrade or change PCs.

Well at least it's better then nothing so I do not really see why people are complaining since it's completely optional and at least I've been longing for something like this for quite some time.