What's with Hacking - Guild Wars Forums

I Rahavan I · Apr 20, 2011, 09:04 PM // 21:04

Now I'm new to forms so If I mess up sry. My question is this why do people hack accounts on guild wars? If you can hack an account couldn't you just make what ever you need/want? I understand stealing info for cerdit cards ect. but I'm talking about those who just hack the account. I am interested because my account got hacked and I was like i had 5k thats it, no ectos, or ambraces. My most expensive thing was my armour (leet profane dyed black) why me?!!! but seriously I want your opinions on why people do it.

BrettM · Apr 20, 2011, 09:17 PM // 21:17

First, some hackers are simply malicious jerks who do it because they can. They enjoy knowing that you will be made unhappy by losing your possessions and characters.

Other hackers are in it for the profit. Hackers can't just make anything they want because that would require access to the server code and database, which is far more secure than the client. It is much easier to crack an existing account and rob it. They sell everything to other players for gold and then sell the gold for real money. They can also use the account to sell gold that idiots bought from them for real money. The hackers can do this until the hack is discovered and the account is shut down by ANet, and then they can just move on to the next hacked account.

Why you? Because the hackers had no way of knowing whether you had anything valuable on the account until they hacked it and looked. Also, even if you have nothing valuable, they can still use your account as a base of operations until it is shut down.

majoho · Apr 20, 2011, 09:18 PM // 21:18

Is it even possible to hack accounts?

I can only see that happening if people are really careless with their info (considering you need the email address and a char name)

Haxor · Apr 20, 2011, 09:19 PM // 21:19

Every coin is a coin. Plus, it's not like they research who the richest people ingame are and then target them. Hackers are far more opportunistic. You probably screwed around somewhere without being careful with your login info. That, or you could have a virus somewhere.

Painbringer · Apr 20, 2011, 09:23 PM // 21:23

BIG E-PEEN Other than that becuase they can.

They like fansites toooo so beware

*lemming* · Apr 20, 2011, 09:30 PM // 21:30

Accounts are hacked en masse for financial purposes. Don't get it twisted.

Ghost Dog · Apr 20, 2011, 09:40 PM // 21:40

^That, ammo for bot armies.

Spiritz · Apr 20, 2011, 09:42 PM // 21:42

Can i just say this - not all hackers use keygens etc etc - making a long story short here.
Few years ago my account got hacked - never used any 3rd party software , nor used gold sites etc so pc was clear.i got hacked and was worked out that they got hold of my msn addy and forced their way in from there - earlier a friend whos contacts list i was on in msn also had his msn account tempory taken but he got it straight back.
The hacker somewhere managed to get into a hotmail account of some person unknown to me and must have worked thru a contact list and branched out taking over other email accounts.
So bewarned that not every victim actually has a keylogger etc on their system but a victim of bad luck - blame old msns crappy hotmail service and msn messenger as they may be usefull to chat but let loose to a hacker they have a wealth of targets and games to try your email account with specially with password recovery being sent to the email account that they now control.
Motto - if you have or go to use any chat programs make a new email account thats not tied to any games and let friends use that.

Cool Name · Apr 20, 2011, 09:44 PM // 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by majoho

Is it even possible to hack accounts?

I can only see that happening if people are really careless with their info (considering you need the email address and a char name)

It is, at least by what most people think of as "hacking". Previously, fan sites have had their databases leaked which means they know the email address, forum username and password of this person. So if this person had the same email address, password and character name then obviously they can get into your account. The best precaution is obviously to have these be unique. The most important one is don't have the same username/password/email combination for your guild wars account, any fan sites and your nc soft account. Also ncsoft has had information leaks too, so they can get in that way even if you haven't told anyway your information.

Speusippus · Apr 20, 2011, 09:45 PM // 21:45

Yikes, how big of a problem is this?

Is having a strong password the only thing I can do to prevent hacking?

How do they even do it--how do they get email addresses for example?

i farm baddies · Apr 20, 2011, 09:45 PM // 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by majoho

Is it even possible to hack accounts?

I can only see that happening if people are really careless with their info (considering you need the email address and a char name)

THIS. theres no way a large company would allow security bugs/loopholes. OP, im sorry to be so critical but you got urself hacked.

how did it happen? you probly told a few too many ppl too much about yourself. where you live, your birthdate, your favorite food, etc.

finally, ppl like you are the ppl that send spam throughout facebook unknowingly lol.

Ghull Ka · Apr 20, 2011, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Rahavan I

My question is this why do people hack accounts on guild wars? If you can hack an account couldn't you just make what ever you need/want?

Stealing someone's password, and logging into their account, and claiming it for your own is the most common form of "hacking". It's not really "hacking" though. It's just stealing.

"Hacking the game to create whatever you want" is something totally different. That kind of thing is pretty much impossible for most people.

So, it's just a mis-use of the word "hacked". Nothing was hacked. Someone just guessed or stole or otherwise learned your password.

TheGizzy · Apr 20, 2011, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by i farm baddies

THIS. theres no way a large company would allow security bugs/loopholes. OP, im sorry to be so critical but you got urself hacked.

That is so completely false and naive, I don't even know where to start.

Google "Epsilon Data Breach".

Yes, many people have their accounts compromised through their own poor security - sharing IGNs on public websites where they use the same email address & password they use for the game... downloading questionable software... using RMT services... sharing login info across unsecured mediums, etc.

But the idea that a large company is not vulnerable, well, that's really naive.

akelarumi · Apr 20, 2011, 10:38 PM // 22:38

What in popular language here is called hacking isn't hacking. Hacking into another computer and making it do whatever you want it to do. People who could hack
GuildWars would have the power to e.g. create stuff like the OP is talking bout.

What most evil people do is somehow steal someones log-in details and rob his/hers account of all valuable items. Before getting in they don't know if they are getting a poor guy's account or the jackpot (it's like stealing someones wallet, you never know before hand whats inside).

And yes, it is possible to hack the guildwars servers, but it would be very hard and even harder to avoid detection (after detections the serveradmin just role back anything you did/changed).

ruk1a · Apr 20, 2011, 11:30 PM // 23:30

a REAL hacker wouldn't be wasting his/her time with the game guild wars..

shinta_himura · Apr 21, 2011, 02:05 AM // 02:05

Your account was hacked by an organization that uses lots of accounts in order to bot-farm. These farming accounts amass large amounts of gold which is then sold to players for real money.

As these bot-accounts are banned, more accounts need to be found in order to maintain the yields from this farming process. Since buying tons of accounts would harm the organization's profits, they steal legitimate accounts from other players and use those.

Even though you had little wealth on your account, it can still be used by the organization to facilitate a farming-bot.

End · Apr 21, 2011, 02:19 AM // 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by i farm baddies

THIS. theres no way a large company would allow security bugs/loopholes. OP, im sorry to be so critical but you got urself hacked.

umm Have you checked out ncsofts track record? Just wondering...cause theres a reason why the game now requires a character name. Happened at around the same time one of the anet employees got hacked. I'm fairly certain they're running around downloading bots and yelling their password in all chat.

*Darcy* · Apr 21, 2011, 02:58 AM // 02:58

My son's account got stolen. The same day that another friend's was stolen. Both had account IDs with the same email service. Both were stolen and never used again after that one day according to guild lists.

So not stolen for botting or continuous RMT - just stolen and stripped. Both account owners are in their 40s. They don't spend great amounts of time on the internet; only one belongs to any forums. They don't fit the usual profile for someone who gets their account stolen, because there is no "usual" profile.

ArenaNet has done all they can to prevent this; we can only pray that NCSoft will institute some kind of basic security before there are no accounts left to steal. After all these years, the prognosis is not good.

Chrisworld · Apr 21, 2011, 05:07 AM // 05:07

Accounts are hacked to drain them of valuables, then sell them for real life money (gold sellers). It's all financial, real world money stuff. And another thing, there is no hacking involved. No one is going in and hacking the database, NCSoft and ArenaNet would know about this. Accounts are "hacked" (unauthorized access) by stealing your login info with a keylogger or fake email. No 3rd party tools are used with GW, no matrix style shit and guys behind 10 different LCD screens with numbers flying by, just people like you and me associated with gold selling sites and ways of obtaining quick and easy login info to get in and get out.

caballo_oscuro · Apr 21, 2011, 05:14 AM // 05:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruk1a

a REAL hacker wouldn't be wasting his/her time with the game guild wars..

Actually, real hackers have been, and have gotten into before. Anet's servers have millions of customers and therefore at least hundreds of thousands of credit card details and other personal info.

All it takes is someone somewhere to (unknowingly) make a mistake, or leave a vulnerability somewhere and the digging starts. There's alot of people in the world profiting from stolen accounts in several ways and the best thing you can do is to have separate login info for every single thing you use on the web, try to use fake info in places that aren't too important, unless you're using a bank/government website for instance. No harm in being as mysterious as you can be.

Apr 20, 2011, 09:04 PM // 21:04	#1
I Rahavan I Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2011 Guild: Shadow Cats [Cats] Profession: Mo/Me	What's with Hacking Now I'm new to forms so If I mess up sry. My question is this why do people hack accounts on guild wars? If you can hack an account couldn't you just make what ever you need/want? I understand stealing info for cerdit cards ect. but I'm talking about those who just hack the account. I am interested because my account got hacked and I was like i had 5k thats it, no ectos, or ambraces. My most expensive thing was my armour (leet profane dyed black) why me?!!! but seriously I want your opinions on why people do it. Last edited by I Rahavan I; Apr 20, 2011 at 09:06 PM // 21:06.. Reason: bad spelling

Apr 20, 2011, 09:30 PM // 21:30	#6
lemming The Hotshot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Honolulu Guild: International District [id???]	Accounts are hacked en masse for financial purposes. Don't get it twisted. __________________ Interested in GvG? Want to watch some high-level PvP? Check out some streams and recordings!

Apr 20, 2011, 09:17 PM // 21:17	#2
BrettM Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2008 Guild: Fuzzy Physics Institute Profession: E/	First, some hackers are simply malicious jerks who do it because they can. They enjoy knowing that you will be made unhappy by losing your possessions and characters. Other hackers are in it for the profit. Hackers can't just make anything they want because that would require access to the server code and database, which is far more secure than the client. It is much easier to crack an existing account and rob it. They sell everything to other players for gold and then sell the gold for real money. They can also use the account to sell gold that idiots bought from them for real money. The hackers can do this until the hack is discovered and the account is shut down by ANet, and then they can just move on to the next hacked account. Why you? Because the hackers had no way of knowing whether you had anything valuable on the account until they hacked it and looked. Also, even if you have nothing valuable, they can still use your account as a base of operations until it is shut down.

Apr 20, 2011, 09:18 PM // 21:18	#3
majoho Forge Runner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denmark	Is it even possible to hack accounts? I can only see that happening if people are really careless with their info (considering you need the email address and a char name)

Apr 20, 2011, 09:19 PM // 21:19	#4
Haxor Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2008 Guild: Legion of the Feng Huang [ASH]	Every coin is a coin. Plus, it's not like they research who the richest people ingame are and then target them. Hackers are far more opportunistic. You probably screwed around somewhere without being careful with your login info. That, or you could have a virus somewhere.

Apr 20, 2011, 09:23 PM // 21:23	#5
Painbringer Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Minnesota Guild: Black Widows of Death Profession: W/Mo	BIG E-PEEN Other than that becuase they can. They like fansites toooo so beware

Apr 20, 2011, 09:40 PM // 21:40	#7
Ghost Dog Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2008 Profession: W/	^That, ammo for bot armies.

Apr 20, 2011, 09:42 PM // 21:42	#8
Spiritz Forge Runner Join Date: Apr 2007 Guild: DMFC	Can i just say this - not all hackers use keygens etc etc - making a long story short here. Few years ago my account got hacked - never used any 3rd party software , nor used gold sites etc so pc was clear.i got hacked and was worked out that they got hold of my msn addy and forced their way in from there - earlier a friend whos contacts list i was on in msn also had his msn account tempory taken but he got it straight back. The hacker somewhere managed to get into a hotmail account of some person unknown to me and must have worked thru a contact list and branched out taking over other email accounts. So bewarned that not every victim actually has a keylogger etc on their system but a victim of bad luck - blame old msns crappy hotmail service and msn messenger as they may be usefull to chat but let loose to a hacker they have a wealth of targets and games to try your email account with specially with password recovery being sent to the email account that they now control. Motto - if you have or go to use any chat programs make a new email account thats not tied to any games and let friends use that.

Apr 20, 2011, 09:45 PM // 21:45	#10
Speusippus Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2011	Yikes, how big of a problem is this? Is having a strong password the only thing I can do to prevent hacking? How do they even do it--how do they get email addresses for example?

Apr 20, 2011, 10:38 PM // 22:38	#14
akelarumi Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Nov 2009 Profession: E/	What in popular language here is called hacking isn't hacking. Hacking into another computer and making it do whatever you want it to do. People who could hack GuildWars would have the power to e.g. create stuff like the OP is talking bout. What most evil people do is somehow steal someones log-in details and rob his/hers account of all valuable items. Before getting in they don't know if they are getting a poor guy's account or the jackpot (it's like stealing someones wallet, you never know before hand whats inside). And yes, it is possible to hack the guildwars servers, but it would be very hard and even harder to avoid detection (after detections the serveradmin just role back anything you did/changed).

Apr 20, 2011, 11:30 PM // 23:30	#15
ruk1a Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2008 Location: UR MOM LOL Guild: ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES Profession: A/	a REAL hacker wouldn't be wasting his/her time with the game guild wars..

Apr 21, 2011, 02:05 AM // 02:05	#16
shinta_himura Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Feb 2006 Profession: D/	Your account was hacked by an organization that uses lots of accounts in order to bot-farm. These farming accounts amass large amounts of gold which is then sold to players for real money. As these bot-accounts are banned, more accounts need to be found in order to maintain the yields from this farming process. Since buying tons of accounts would harm the organization's profits, they steal legitimate accounts from other players and use those. Even though you had little wealth on your account, it can still be used by the organization to facilitate a farming-bot.

Apr 21, 2011, 02:58 AM // 02:58	#18
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	My son's account got stolen. The same day that another friend's was stolen. Both had account IDs with the same email service. Both were stolen and never used again after that one day according to guild lists. So not stolen for botting or continuous RMT - just stolen and stripped. Both account owners are in their 40s. They don't spend great amounts of time on the internet; only one belongs to any forums. They don't fit the usual profile for someone who gets their account stolen, because there is no "usual" profile. ArenaNet has done all they can to prevent this; we can only pray that NCSoft will institute some kind of basic security before there are no accounts left to steal. After all these years, the prognosis is not good.

Apr 21, 2011, 05:07 AM // 05:07	#19
Chrisworld Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2010 Guild: Gameamp Guides [AMP] Profession: W/	Accounts are hacked to drain them of valuables, then sell them for real life money (gold sellers). It's all financial, real world money stuff. And another thing, there is no hacking involved. No one is going in and hacking the database, NCSoft and ArenaNet would know about this. Accounts are "hacked" (unauthorized access) by stealing your login info with a keylogger or fake email. No 3rd party tools are used with GW, no matrix style shit and guys behind 10 different LCD screens with numbers flying by, just people like you and me associated with gold selling sites and ways of obtaining quick and easy login info to get in and get out.