*IMPORTANT* - Battle.net Account Security
Account security is of the utmost importance. As such, we want to equip our players with the knowledge they need to ensure the accounts they play remain safe, secure, and in the right hands. We recommend that you review the information below and follow the helpful tips to make sure that your computer and the accounts you play remain secure.
KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER SAFE AND ACCOUNT SECURE
If your computer has been infected with a virus, Trojan, keylogger, or other malicious software, you need to make sure the computer is cleaned entirely, or the Battle.net account you play will be continue to be at considerable risk. You should also be certain you are using a secure password at all times. For tips on selecting a secure password, please go here.
Keeping an account secure relies heavily on keeping your computer secure. This can help keep your computer safe from malicious programs and anyone intent on stealing your private information.
Our Blizzard Authenticator and Battle.net Mobile Authenticator are excellent ways to help keep an account safe. These optional security tools add an extra level of security to an account, helping to prevent unauthorized access.
The Blizzard Authenticator is a physical "token" device that fits easily on a key ring, while the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator is an application that you access via your cell phone or mobile device. Both types of Authenticator generate a one-time password to use in addition to your regular password every time you log in to a World of Warcraft or Battle.net account.
For complete information on the Blizzard Authenticator, please go here.
For complete information on the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator, please go here.
HOW DOES A SECURITY COMPROMISE HAPPEN?
The vast majority of account compromises originate from one of three sources:
1. "Spoof" websites and emails
2. Downloading hacks, cheats, or other executable content
3. Sharing account information
See below for more information on these security risks and other increasingly common scams, as well as information on recovering an account and keeping your privacy safe.
KEEPING YOUR SYSTEM UP TO DATE
Please be sure that you have the most secure operating system environment on your computer by running Windows Update (if you own a Windows-based PC) or Software Update (if you own a Mac) and installing all of the high-priority updates. Note: You may have to run the updater more than once to ensure you have all of the latest high-priority updates; many updates require a system restart and then additional patch installations to complete the process.
"SPOOF" WEBSITES AND EMAILS "SPOOF" WEBSITES AND EMAILS
This term refers to an email or a website which poses as an official Blizzard Entertainment communication or site, but which is really just a trick to get unsuspecting users to send their account information to someone who should not have it. If account information is sent to one of these "spoofs," it usually winds up in a thief's database list of accounts to compromise or steal.
How to identify a spoof site or email:
* It asks for the account name AND PASSWORD. Blizzard will NEVER ask you for your password.
* It comes from an email address which is NOT an official Blizzard.com address, but may look similar.
* Often, these spoofs promise you will be banned if you do not provide the information demanded.
* Links do not go to an official Blizzard Entertainment domain. Often, hyperlinks can look like they lead to official sites at first glance, but you can wind up somewhere unexpected when you click them.
DOWNLOADING ADDONS, HACKS, CHEATS, AND EXECUTABLES
Viruses, Trojan applications, and key-logging software can be used to steal Battle.net account information, in addition to other private data on a compromised computer. These sorts of threats are typically brought into the system and installed by "executable" programs.
An "executable" program is something you download and then run, as opposed to opening a picture file, document, or folder. You can tell if a file is an executable if its file name ends in EXE. You can also right-click the file and choose "Properties." If the "File Type" says "Application," then that file is an executable. Be careful to only run executables you trust.
GIVING OUT ACCOUNT INFORMATION -- TO *ANYONE*
Our support teams take a considerable number of inquiries from people who have lost access to an account simply because they had at one time shared their password with a friend, spouse, roommate, relative, or other relation.
Most of these kinds of account compromises take place because the individual *gives out* their own information to someone they believed they could trust.
We also see cases where players choose to intentionally break the Terms of Use and share account information with a third party, such as a power-leveling service.
Sometimes, third-party services that a player thought to be reputable winds up misusing that player's information. That leaves the player and Blizzard Entertainment's support team cleaning up a considerable mess.
This is part of the reason why if we identify an account as having been intentionally "shared," the account is subject to a suspension and possibly a permanent ban.
RECOVERING AN ACCOUNT AFTER A COMPROMISE
If you believe the account you play has been compromised, please visit our Account Administration page. You can find more information under the Compromised Account Issues section.
If you find that, regardless of the cause, you are unable to get back into the account, your first step should be to attempt automated password recovery.
If you are having trouble recovering your password this way, please contact Billing and Account Services for further assistance.
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