Valve has announced a new Steam and Steamworks feature called Steam Guard, which it says will give users greatly increased account security.
It allows members to link the management of their account to a specific PC, and makes attempts to modify or change account settings by any other PC impossible without the user's approval.
IPT generates a new numerical password every 30 seconds, integrating into the processor functionality that previously required a separate card or key fob.
Third parties can also incorporate Steam Guard into their own applications through Steamworks.
"Account phishing and hijacking are our No.1 support issues," said Valve boss Gabe Newell. "With Intel's IPT and Steam Guard, we've taken a big step towards giving customers the account security they need as they purchase more and more digital goods."
Valve said earlier this week that it's to bring TV support to Steam via a "big picture" mode that'll offer controller support and "navigation designed for television interaction".
Comments
6 comments so far...
BenThomasFoster on 3 Mar '11 said:
They'll be sneaking in some better drm more liekly aswell but my problem is i deleted my mail account that i used steam for... i can still log on perfectly enough but i can't change my password don't get emails ect. sure it can be a good thing but the day i get hacked i'm fooked
Gaseous Snake on 3 Mar '11 said:
I'm sorry, but the last time I checked, steam was just about the most worthless defence material on the planet. Try using steel, titanium, or a combination of the two.
Sorry if I just proved your million-dollar research project to be a load of flaming crap in a paper bag, but hey, it happens.
freds1 on 3 Mar '11 said:
I haven't bought anything off Steam yet and they haven't got my card details, but I last night I was thinking of taking the plunge and buying Dead Money DLC for New Vegas. When it came to supplying my card details though I chickened out
Just something about giving out my details over the net where anyone could possibly hack my account and download allsorts. I may be overreacting who knows, but it does concern me a little. And you can't get the DLC anywhere else can you? One of the reasons I'm not a fan of Steam at all.
Yellow6 on 5 Mar '11 said:
What happens when you need to throw an old PC away?
What happens when a PC dies?
Will it be tied to the internet address of the house you live in?
If so, what happens in house shares where a heck of a lot of identity fraud already happens?
I'm not trying to have a go I just wonder what happens in these scenarios
Surely Steam have thought of them?
biscuit on 5 Mar '11 said:
@Yellow6
The Battle.net authenticators are a similar thing - you get a small keyfob which you tie to your account, and it generates codes that you need to log in. You can untie them from your account, but you have to log in with it first to do so. If you lose your authenticator you can call a hotline and there's a verification process, to make sure it's not some jackass trying to steal your account.
Also, Gabe gave away his Steam username and password, to prove how secure it is. Pretty bold move, interesting to see whether or not it holds up.
Yellow6 on 6 Mar '11 said:
@Biscuit
Cheers, that sounds a bit more reassuring
I'm not sure if anyone else is aware of this but you can get prepaid credit cards with a small limit, £100 -£500(usually for going on holiday or something) and use these on the internet, it means if some greasy fraudster does get your details they can only pinch up to the limit of the card, (if you hadn't spent any yourself yet).
The only problem with this on the internet is having to re-register new credit cards on whatever sites you buy from , Amazon, Ebay, Steam? etc etc.
Of course if you do this people will assume you are only doing it to hide your porn purchases