The RIFT

Shyntyrr has pretty much covered everything you could want to know about Security and I don’t want to drone on about the same subject but now that the Coin Lock has been implemented I wanted to cover that and impact.

The Issue

Masses of players have been affected by the hacking of accounts — it is in no doubt an epidemic of epic proportions. No game has seen this level of “hackery” (made up word) ever. This is both a good and very bad thing. Well, ok, it’s only a very bad thing. However, it is interesting to see so much interest in the game, isn’t it?

The Resolution…?

The levels in Rift are staggering and in order to stem the tide of “hackery” (I am going to keep using it, get used to it!) Trion has implemented the Coin Lock system — a system that will basically lock down some functionality of your account if it is accessed from an IP address outside your normal range.

What does this mean?

Well it means that if you are hacked by a little evil doer from somewhere else in the world, they cannot sell your stuff or mess with the Auction House… but they can level for you! It does create a small amount of inconvenience if, say, you go to a mate’s house or play away from home — the game that is — but is a little inconvenience a problem? Clearly the answer is no.

Is it enough?

I have to say that in my humble opinion no. The game needs to have an Authenticator implemented and not just an app for iPhone or Android. A separate keychain (or larger) device that doesn’t cost the earth and protects your account from any kind of tomfoolery (real word, well it is in the UK).

These have been used to great effect by businesses for VPN and of course by Bizzard to protect their account system. They work, they are cheap and anyone who doesn’t get one needs a slap! Ok, a little extreme, but you get the idea.

Honestly though why should we?

In honesty, I think it is outrageous that we have to go to these levels to protect a game! It’s a game for the love of god! Unfortunately, games are big business and the evil that is money makes people do silly things. Therefore you will always get people wanting to steal from you — fact!

So a little extra cash wisely spent to protect something you spend hours of your life invested in is a good idea. Suck it up and spend the cash or accept the inconvenience of the Coin Lock… simples.

In Summary

Nice one Trion for getting this sorted so quickly. This is indeed a great short term solution but you need to get the Authenticator sorted on various platforms, including a separate device.

I think the real world impacts have been missed from everything that has been written on this subject. I mean the impact at Trion and to the other aspects of the game. Sure, we know the impact on people — which is terrible — but the impact on issue resolution and customer service in the game has been a substantial one too.

Many issues that I am sure Trion would have had resolved by now probably had to take a back seat to this most important of issues. I have no doubt the strain has been massive on the customer service department/GM’s too and that impact will be felt by everyone. This issue then has not only impacted the people who have been hacked, but also the rest of us. We all feel your pain!