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Blizzard Authenticator?
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Popularity Score: 20
This app was mentioned in 21 comments, with an average of 3.05 upvotes
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One more thing, if you don't have an authenticator attached to your Battle.net account and you have a mobile phone capable of downloading the app do yourself a great service and download it. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battle.net-mobile-authenticator/id306862897?mt=8
Then they removed it and brought it back.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en
" I honestly never open the app, but I guess the new look is good. Would like the widget functionality back though."
I think you misunderstood or misinterpreted my suggestion a little bit. Based on your counterpoints, I'm going to work on the assumption that you have never used a Battle.net Authenticator with your account.
As far as I'm aware, the physical keyfob authenticator has been discontinued but you could still use one if you got your hands on it. More practical are the mobile authenticator apps for Android and iOS. After you install the app and attach it to your Battle.net account, opening the Battle.net Launcher or games will prompt you to authorize these log-ins via the mobile app. However, by default, you do not have to do this every time so long as the location from which you log in does not change drastically. Starting Heroes from the launcher with an account that has an authenticator attached to it does not involve any extra steps after the first time. Queueing for matches would not require any interaction with the authenticator either. But, behind the scenes, the game would be able to check whether or not there was an authenticator attached to your account and it could then let you queue for SL or not.
As mentioned in my previous comment, you could attach one authenticator to up to three accounts. Motivated individuals could use all their smartphones/tablets to run even more accounts or use smartphone emulators on their computers to run a practically infinite amount of authenticators and thus, SL-capable accounts. But, as you already mentioned, the point of such mechanisms is not to prevent smurfing but to make it less convenient, which this would accomplish in my opinion, without unduely burdening legitimate players.
Lastly, I would welcome the decision from up high to consider smurfing in ranked a bannable offense and implement reporting categories and adequate consequences for offenders.
You dont need a phone number though, the app through Andoid/iOS counts.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en_US&gl=US
or
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/battle-net-authenticator/id306862897
?
Otherwise might be able to work-around using a internet phone service, like Google Voice, which is free.
is the most common implementation of password requiring you to give additional information to the service you're trying to access?
just a little detail that seems to be conveniently ignored by the generation "idgaf i use my phone for everything who cares what data companies get from me".
For example this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma
Full access to your data and the permission to phone home about it but that doesn't matter because you trust the company who made the app, right?
In this day and age not having security guards and a multi door/multi lock entrance to your garden shed is akin to saying: "a garden shed shouldn't have a padlock".
Also, remember this tool exists: Battle.net Authenticator for Android, Battle.net Authenticator for iOS
Seems like the conflict comes from having the Battle.net Authenticator installed: if you uninstall BMA you can install Hearthstone (at least for the 506 version) but you can't install BMA anymore and you get the "App not installed" message.
Use the Blizzard Authenticator app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en_US&gl=US
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/battle-net-authenticator/id306862897
Though you'll need to enable it in your account. If you cannot get into battlenet at all, then you might need to deal with their tech support. Be ready to have proof of purchase or something to prove you are who you say you are.
PSA: let that be a lesson for everyone to now enable 2FA if haven't yet.
​
My account got hacked as well. All my gear and items got sold, and all gold was transferred. After sending a digital scan of my ID card to Blizzard, my account was returned to me in the state it was prior to the hack (I presume they keep snapshots of their character database, which any good company would). The hack was either during Vanilla or TBC, and maybe before Blizzard released their security token on June 26, 2008. The way accounts were hacked was because hackers targeted guild sites and server forums (some server communities ran their own server forum back then, independent from Blizzard). If those sites were breached, the hackers could take over the WoW accounts, because it was very common back then for people to use the same password everywhere (it's still quite common today, but not nearly as much as back then, because the awareness campaigns came later).
just a PSA in a related topic, ATTACH THE FREE BLIZZARD AUTHENTICATOR TO YOUR ACCOUNT
and if security isn't enough, they are adding 4 more bag slots to accounts using an authenticator!
from u/sorry-im-right
>battle.net has 2factor authentication if you're on PC
>https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/24520 iOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blizzard-authenticator/id306862897
>android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en_US
from u/sorry-im-right
>battle.net has 2factor authentication if you're on PC
>https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/24520 iOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blizzard-authenticator/id306862897
>android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en_US
battle.net has 2factor authentication if you're on PC
https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/24520 iOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blizzard-authenticator/id306862897
android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.bma&hl=en_US
I think Kaivax forgot to erase the comments and corrections from another/other community manager(s) left on his text before posting. Botton paragraphs sound weird af.
By Kaivax [Community Manager]:
"The WoW Classic team has been working hard to authentically recapture the original World of Warcraft experience for adventurers old and new . Our approach to Customer Support for WoW Classic is built around upholding the integrity of that experience, while helping you with issues that keep you from playing.
To familiarize you with our plans, we’ve put together a summary of what you can expect our Game Masters to be able to assist with when WoW Classic launches later this summer.
Payment and Account Support
WoW Classic will use the same subscription system used for World of Warcraft , and our Game Masters will provide full support for any account or payment issues you encounter. Please note that active game time is required to access WoW Classic, and the game is not available to inactive or Starter Edition accounts .
Account Security
We highly recommend players who want to keep their account secure against intruders to attach the Blizzard Authenticator app for Android 1 or iPhone to their account.
Players can also add Blizzard SMS protect 2 on their phone to help with account management, including the ability to unlock your Blizzard account, remove a lost authenticator, recover your account name, approve a password reset, and more.
Please note that you’ll be able to use the Core Hound Pup companion pet (which you receive for securing your account with an Authenticator) and the additional backpack inventory slots (received for securing your account with an Authenticator and SMS Protect) on non–WoW Classic characters only.
In-Game Support
While our Game Masters do not provide hints or details about game mechanics, they will continue to provide assistance if you run into other in-game issues that you need help with.
WoW Classic’s world can be a dangerous place, and it’s often up to you to discover how to proceed—so don’t be afraid to explore and ask your fellow adventurers for a hand. If you run into a quest you’re unsure how to complete, can’t seem to defeat an enemy, or just don’t know where to go next, there are plenty of excellent resources within the World of Warcraft community to help you find your way in Azeroth. Our official forums and in-game chat can connect you with other players and allow you to help others conquer their enemies too. Many popular fansites can also provide you with details and comments from others to point you in the right direction.
Harassment and Penalties
WoW Classic will use the current right-click reporting system available in World of Warcraft to report violations of our in-game policies. If you would like to report a character for a violation, simply right-click the character’s name or character portrait and choose the most appropriate option to report them. Customer Support will review the report and take appropriate action, though you may not hear further on what this action is.
Because WoW Classic will use designated realms on existing World of Warcraft accounts, any penalties applied to either WoW or WoW Classic will affect the entire account. This means that a silence for a chat violation in WoW Classic will affect characters in World of Warcraft as well.
Item and Character Restoration
WoW Classic will use the same Item Restoration and Character Undelete features available in World of Warcraft and its expansions. It’s important to note that you will only be able to undelete a character of the same faction on a PvP realm. In addition, the cooldown on item restoration 2 is shared between World of Warcraft and WoW Classic.
Scams and Loot Disputes
Scamming other players is a violation of our World of Warcraft game policies. We will investigate any reports of scamming that we receive and take the appropriate action, removing gains and penalizing those who violate this policy as needed. It’s important to note that Game Masters will not restore any gold or items that may have been lost.
World of Warcraft loot systems empower players to manage loot directly. For this reason, Blizzard support will not redistribute loot in the event of a dispute between players.
If you’re playing with a new group, it’s advised to always be clear on the loot rules before proceeding . Discuss the plans for distributing loot with the raid leader before you become locked into a raid. This will provide you with an opportunity to make an informed decision on whether you want to decline the invitation or leave the group. Multiple loot methods are available in WoW Classic, and we encourage you to group with others you trust, especially when using Master Loot.
In some extreme cases, Game Masters may deem it appropriate to penalize a raid leader who fails to adhere to clearly established looting rules. Please keep in mind that looting rules like “Main Spec > Off Spec” are not enforceable qualifiers.
Suggestion: The “for people who show an unwavering love” part feels a little exclusionary – our messaging has been that it’s also for people who never had a chance to try the original. Suggestion to address that, plus some add’l edits that cascade from that.
There are only two games – WoW and WoW Classic.
Suggest adding “the game” here so this isn’t misunderstood to mean “active game time” is not available to Veteran/Starter accounts.
Assuming we are keeping “Veteran” as an internal term.
You only get the inventory slots if you have the Authenticator AND SMS Protect. I moved it to the end so it could cover both and was a little more explicit in how you get them – never know, someone might not be aware!
I think it might be worth highlighting that WoW Classic’s design inherently is built around trying to figure out how to complete a quest, an enemy, or where to go – sorta suggesting these “problems” are not a bug, but a feature, Suggested reworking for that.
Chat violations require a right click of the chat line, but cheating and name violations can be reported through the character portrait as well.
Calling out the undelete restriction on WoW Classic PvP realms.
Do we need the general “WoW Classic support is limited” line here? Suggest cutting it, since it’s not necessary when talking specifically about our scam policy, and as a blanket/general statement it undermines confidence in some of the above policies.
I moved a couple of things around as it seemed to work better when discussing the stipulations. We used to receive a lot of contacts about loot distribution with the raid leader swapping looting methods before the last boss, taking all the loot and leaving. Using Raid Leader instead of Master Looter gives us a little more wiggle room. The MS > OS and section feels a little light, but outside of discussing how to draw up a contract, it should work."
I've deleted my post as misleading, original content:
>Blizzard Authenticator shows an error when attempting to log in, then the app closes. I haven't had Google Play services installed for years and the authenticator used to work, but I haven't launched it recently. I can't access my game library.
microG may resolve the issue, but I currently have no real need for this replacement as I almost exclusively run free software and don't depend on Google features in any way.
>You don't need a Blizzard account for testing as I can't even reach the account credentials page. Yalp Store can be used for downloading.
I love how ridiculously easy it is to protect your account by using an authenticator, including but not limited to buying a physical authenticator, downloading and using the authenticator app (for iOS and Android), downloading and installing WinAuth, WinBMA or using any other program based authenticator. SMS protection is also a great thing.