Linking GW and GW2 accounts not safe? - Guild Wars Forums

Followedbyrocks · Aug 26, 2012, 03:38 PM // 15:38

I bought GW2 a few days ago in time for the head start, registered, downloaded it, blah blah blah, and of course linked my GW1 account to my new GW2 account.

Now a few days later I find my password had been changed on both games and, after changing the pass again, that my GW1 account has been hacked and just over 600K gone. Plus my vabbian armour destroyed and a bunch of other stuff taken with only the worthless rubbish left behind.

I'm a bit annoyed, but not overly fussed because I was losing interest in GW anyway and have 33/50. Besides I know there's not much hope in getting the stuff back. What I am concerned about though, however is how the hell did they get my password?

I've played GW for over 4 years now and not been hacked. Nothing has changed in that time to give hackers a sudden opportunity to get in to my account. So the only thing I can think it must be is the linking my GW1 account to my GW2 account.

I may be talking rubbish for all I know, but what do you guys think happened here? If I'm right then there's a big security issue here with linking accounts.

akelarumi · Aug 26, 2012, 04:34 PM // 16:34

The security risk not bigger then pre-gw2. the damage is higher cause when linked two accounts are hacked instead of one. besides, the introduction of gw2 has made gw2 safer due to the fact that 100 character passwords are introduced.

The fact that your being hacked now is purely coincedence however. The linking feature doesn't make it all of a sudden less safe.

Quote:

Besides I know there's not much hope in getting the stuff back

there is a lot of hope in getting it back. GW1 has nowadays a snapshot system, giving support the possibility of providing you with a roll back. Keep in mind that those snapshots are taken a few times/week so it might be that if you recently bought something or sold something that is rolled back as well.

Besides that I would engourage everyone to report this to support no matter how high the damage is. This way support can easier track potential dangers and new hacking techniques.

For as how they found out your password.
This can be through outside sources (never use the same password for e.g. GW and this site the gwguru), brute force hacking a password (basicly using a computerprogram to guess it for you) or installing malware (e.g. a keylogger) on your computer.

Again it is very unlikely that there is suddenly an issue with linking accounts. This has been available atleast since bwe3 (the first bwe I was in). So just the fact that you have been hacked now has (not likely atleast) nothing to do with it. None the less I feel sorry for the situation. I advise the following actions

1: file a report ticket and request a roll back.
2: change asap all the password used for both games (a hacker has no use off a hardcopy, so better pick a difficult one and write it down then keeping it simple).
3: Review your computers security and if you have any doubt bout the course, I would advise reinstalling windows and all programs. I know its a lot of work but its the best way of getting everything secure again.

Followedbyrocks · Aug 26, 2012, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Thanks for your reply. I've done everything you suggested and filed a report. All I can do now is wait.

Lummy · Aug 27, 2012, 09:25 AM // 09:25

yep, just got hacked as well.. my mate in game was talking to the guy that hacked my account and is still playing on it now..

happened straight after i verified my email and somehow the hacker has managed to change my email so that it no longer is linked to gw..

worst thing is that its the same email as my gw1 account (and im locked out of that also) so i guess its a matter of time before the hacker realises that the email and password is the same on both gw1 and 2 accounts.

ive already sent in my support ticket but by the time i get my account back (if) i wouldve missed out on the 3 day head start..

teethmountain · Aug 28, 2012, 07:52 AM // 07:52

I recently got hacked as well. Unfortunately when I contacted plaync about it they told me "sorry cant help we have disabled the account."

Lummy · Aug 28, 2012, 10:09 AM // 10:09

so far 2 days and ill ive gotten is an auto reply..

watta waste of time prepurchasing the game NOT to get the 3 day head start

Aug 26, 2012, 03:38 PM // 15:38	#1
Followedbyrocks Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: England Profession: Rt/	Linking GW and GW2 accounts not safe? I bought GW2 a few days ago in time for the head start, registered, downloaded it, blah blah blah, and of course linked my GW1 account to my new GW2 account. Now a few days later I find my password had been changed on both games and, after changing the pass again, that my GW1 account has been hacked and just over 600K gone. Plus my vabbian armour destroyed and a bunch of other stuff taken with only the worthless rubbish left behind. I'm a bit annoyed, but not overly fussed because I was losing interest in GW anyway and have 33/50. Besides I know there's not much hope in getting the stuff back. What I am concerned about though, however is how the hell did they get my password? I've played GW for over 4 years now and not been hacked. Nothing has changed in that time to give hackers a sudden opportunity to get in to my account. So the only thing I can think it must be is the linking my GW1 account to my GW2 account. I may be talking rubbish for all I know, but what do you guys think happened here? If I'm right then there's a big security issue here with linking accounts.

Aug 26, 2012, 07:47 PM // 19:47	#3
Followedbyrocks Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: England Profession: Rt/	Thanks for your reply. I've done everything you suggested and filed a report. All I can do now is wait.

Aug 27, 2012, 09:25 AM // 09:25	#4
Lummy Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2007	yep, just got hacked as well.. my mate in game was talking to the guy that hacked my account and is still playing on it now.. happened straight after i verified my email and somehow the hacker has managed to change my email so that it no longer is linked to gw.. worst thing is that its the same email as my gw1 account (and im locked out of that also) so i guess its a matter of time before the hacker realises that the email and password is the same on both gw1 and 2 accounts. ive already sent in my support ticket but by the time i get my account back (if) i wouldve missed out on the 3 day head start..

Aug 28, 2012, 07:52 AM // 07:52	#5
teethmountain Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Aug 2012	I recently got hacked as well. Unfortunately when I contacted plaync about it they told me "sorry cant help we have disabled the account."

Aug 28, 2012, 10:09 AM // 10:09	#6
Lummy Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2007	so far 2 days and ill ive gotten is an auto reply.. watta waste of time prepurchasing the game NOT to get the 3 day head start