My Account was hacked and the GM's won't give me a straight answer...

[dazedland]

OK, My account and both of my friends accounts were hacked between 4am PST and 7am PST yesterday. Their characters were stripped, mine were all deleted on every single server. The only one I cared about was my level 50 Night Elf Druid. The GM's have told me so many different things. One told me it would be 1-2 days and they would be able to restore my characters, one said several days, and the last one I spoke to played completely dumb (alhtough I'm pretty sure that it was the same GM I originally spoke to).
Question #1:
What happens/what are they able to do?

Question #1 part 2:
What is the chance I will get my characters back?

Question #2:
Why do they say they want to know information on hackers when they don't listen to you when you try to tell them.

[Summër]

This happened to me. My Gnome was stripped naked and my main was completely deleted. They said they could get my Gnome's gear back and that they may or may not be able to get my main back.

About 3 days later, my main was back naked and I'm yet to get my Gnome's gear back. :/

Why Blizzard, why? :(

[Altaris]

Providing you and your companion did nothing against the TOS, you will most likely get your characters back. Chances are though they will be without any gear and with some (maybe) minor amount of gold. It can take a few days, or a few weeks. One person I know, who was restored naked and with 20g at level 40 with no mount, took almost two months to get his toon back. I believe there is another member of this site who had their level 60 restored, also naked and with no money at all.
Good luck, and welcome to the site. My condolences and sympathies.

[laffncry]

I doubt that when you get back your main the gears would still be there! But on the lighter note, there is this chance that you'd get lucky had them as if nothing had happened! Good Luck!

[Valas Azuviir]

OK, My account and both of my friends accounts were hacked between 4am PST and 7am PST yesterday. Their characters were stripped, mine were all deleted on every single server. The only one I cared about was my level 50 Night Elf Druid. The GM's have told me so many different things. One told me it would be 1-2 days and they would be able to restore my characters, one said several days, and the last one I spoke to played completely dumb (alhtough I'm pretty sure that it was the same GM I originally spoke to).
Question #1:
What happens/what are they able to do?

Question #1 part 2:
What is the chance I will get my characters back?

Question #2:
Why do they say they want to know information on hackers when they don't listen to you when you try to tell them.

From someone who's been there as well (http://forums.worldofwar.net/showpost.php?p=3881140&postcount=4).

Keep in mind that restoring everything is a very very time intensive exercise, most likely they're hoping to avoid having to do the extra work. :laughing:

[dazedland]

So, if you keep on them they will eventually restore your stuff right? Because I have all the bank slots and they were all full of awesome stuff, and my character had 5 epics. This is going to be horrible. Not to mention that I was a guild master and so when my character was deleted it deleted my guild!

[larissa]

So, if you keep on them they will eventually restore your stuff right? Because I have all the bank slots and they were all full of awesome stuff, and my character had 5 epics. This is going to be horrible. Not to mention that I was a guild master and so when my character was deleted it deleted my guild!

I don't have any experience with losing characters, or know people personally who have. I have heard and read experiences, mostly here. The characters should be restored just fine. Gear seems to be an issue, though, and a lot of times seems that it does not get restored, but the odd time it does. I wouldn't hold out hopes for your bank stuff to reappear, though. But again, I don't know what the process is that Blizzard goes through when this happens. I'm also not sure what will happen about the guild. You will probably have to reform and start from scratch there.

You are told that it will take a few days to give them time to investigate the incident, track down what happened, and look into what you had. I presume this is to prevent people from sharding/selling all their stuff, send it off somewhere, then falsely cry "I've been hacked, give me back my stuff!"

As to why it seems they rarely restore everything, that I couldn't say. It does seem very strange. All the information should be there for them to look at, including what's in your inventory and what's in your bank. Why it can't be a simple restore, I just don't know.

But I must say, you had a few epics on your level 50 druid? Wow! I can see why this would be very painful for you. I had to make my own first epic, and that at level 70. So I hope they can at least restore some of those for you.

It's painful, but also it could have been worse. You are still gearing up and levelling, so it shouldn't be too bad for you to get back into the swing of things.

Best of luck
~~~Larissa

[JaedxRapture]

Tips: don't use Thottbot.

[warriortamers]

WOW tht sucks


good luck :p

[acevarrock]

and don't use Thottbot.

Do you mean not downloading anything from Thottbot or not visiting the site altogether?

[krayzie]

dont use thottbot?!? how come?

[sudyke]

It makes me think too... whats wrong with thottbot?

Anywayz I really feal sorry for u! Best of luck, dude! :hanky:

Tip: Change your password every week, and keep track of them (not on your pc in c:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Documents\My World of Warcraft passwords\My Passwords.doc :) :laughing:

If u can't figure out any new ones, start using them randomly, but know the order! Your account doesnt usually get hacked as soon as they find your password! :wink:

[Krollin]

Contrary to popular opinion Firefox is no more secure than IE, in fact it has more security holes in it that IE does.
The only thing that makes Firefox more attactive is that does not support VBScript.

The biggest problem is caused by people either being totally naive about their computer security needs or being arrogant and stupid enough to believe it cannot happen to them.

[moopy]

Contrary to popular opinion Firefox is no more secure than IE, in fact it has more security holes in it that IE does.
The only thing that makes Firefox more attactive is that does not support VBScript.


It would be fascinating if you could provide reputable and well-substantiated evidence for this fanciful claim.

[Hagar the Horrible]

It would be fascinating if you could provide reputable and well-substantiated evidence for this fanciful claim.

what moopy said.

And what is wrong with thotbot???

H.

[Ignious]

what moopy said.

And what is wrong with thotbot???

H.

Maybe someone has a hate on for that site? I don't know, it's seems like a great site for WoW info. maybe it's because that site is owned by bad people!

[BlackKat]

Like Allakhazam.com...
Thottbot is owned by IGE (gold sellers).
IGE acquired them some time ago.

And while I wouldn't off the hip accuse the gold sellers (who are horrid enough in their own right) of also being account hackers...

Those websites are less than stellar in checking that advertisement banners on their sites do not use vb code to install a keylogger on your computer.

Of course those websites are also rather full of much needed information... so don't not use them, use them carefully. Firefox and good virus scanning will go a long way towards keeping you safe.

[maladroit2000]

It would be fascinating if you could provide reputable and well-substantiated evidence for this fanciful claim. [That Firefox is no more secure than IE]

I've read things along those lines from experts on the subject. However, the reason that using Firefox is preferable to using internet explorer is that far fewer people use Firefox. This means that the vast majority of malicious code floating around on the net is aimed at exploiting Internet Explorer security flaws and mainly ignores Firefox and other minority browsers.

As a web browser becomes more popular it also becomes less secure as it becomes more worthwhile for coders to spend time exploiting the loopholes. Eventually the time will come to dump Firefox and move on the to the next decent new browser.

[Kitano]

Do you mean not downloading anything from Thottbot or not visiting the site altogether?

Don't use the site at all. There is a rumor right now that a keylogger is embedded in either the ads or the site itself. Avoid Thott at least until they either fix this or the rumor is proven false.

As for getting hacked (my original post was linked) I was hacked twice and I had everything except for consumables and specific "of the" gear restored (they don't restore specific "of the" items or any enchants).

[mesonm]

Contrary to popular opinion Firefox is no more secure than IE, in fact it has more security holes in it that IE does.
The only thing that makes Firefox more attactive is that does not support VBScript.

I don't buy that statement, but perhaps...IE is a MUCH larger installed base, and thus is the bigger target....

If you use Firefox intelligently, you are substantially less likely to be a victim than if you used IE intelligently.

[Krollin]

I don't buy that statement, but perhaps...IE is a MUCH larger installed base, and thus is the bigger target....

If you use Firefox intelligently, you are substantially less likely to be a victim than if you used IE intelligently.
Well the information is out there if you want to go find it like I did.

I also said why Firefox is preferable, most of the exploits are to do with VBScript (not core IE) and Firefox does not support that.

The number of security problems directly to do with the 2 Browers is greater for Firefox than for IE. That these are not exploited as much does not make the threat of such attacks go away.

The VBScript attacks are actually caused by bad default security settings, Firefox does not have this problem.

The vulnerabilities directly in the browsers themselves are caused by using core functions which are usually vulnerable to buffer overflow attacks, IE has less of these problems than Firefox, this has been shown on at least one well known security company's website.

As for protecting yourself intelligently, update your browser regularly, always have internet security software running on your machine and -never- down load something unless you are sure of its pedigree.

Yes, the number of actual victims is higher with IE because the User Base is much higher.

I have never had security issues with IE, I have suffered 3 attempted hacks using Firefox which only my Anti Virus software caught.

I keep everything updated.

If you don't believe me then go check for yourselves.

[Grendo]

The only one I cared about was my level 50 Night Elf Druid.

Because I have all the bank slots and they were all full of awesome stuff, and my character had 5 epics.Waiting for kcma to be the devils advocate on this one....something in all this sounds...fishy.

[mesonm]

Waiting for kcma to be the devils advocate on this one....something in all this sounds...fishy.

<gets the popcorn>

[Altaris]

I don't buy that statement, but perhaps...IE is a MUCH larger installed base, and thus is the bigger target....

If you use Firefox intelligently, you are substantially less likely to be a victim than if you used IE intelligently.

I've always used IE. I have also always paid attention to virus outbreaks, kept my McAfee up to date along with my Windows patches. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a virus or been hacked. I know enough about comp's to get around, and generally not enough to be dangerous.

Fortunately for me, I work for a big bank with gazillions of layers of protections. Which means I can continue to use ugly sites, just at work, where I generally do so anyway. I prefer to do my research here and spend less WoW time diddling around.

As for Firefox, I have often read that it is "better" and "safer" than IE. But I know a few RL programmers, software writers & lots of general computer geeks. But I have never met, in RL, some one who actually suggests Firefox over IE.

[laffncry]

don't use Thottbot.

Why shouldn't we use thottbot? I think that the site is really helpful. Is there something wrong with the site?

[mesonm]

As for Firefox, I have often read that it is "better" and "safer" than IE. But I know a few RL programmers, software writers & lots of general computer geeks. But I have never met, in RL, some one who actually suggests Firefox over IE.


If forums are less example for you than you meeting them IRL, use IE....No prob here...heh

It means you may never take advice from a forum...But it is your decision on what you use, not mine.

[DraedynLei]

As for Firefox, I have often read that it is "better" and "safer" than IE. But I know a few RL programmers, software writers & lots of general computer geeks. But I have never met, in RL, some one who actually suggests Firefox over IE.

I am a real life programmer as are most of my coworkers and we all use firefox. I also install firefox on any friend's computer I help maintain. But it is (I believe) as stated above, only less a target because the market is dominated by IE. The point of viruses and most pieces of malware are to infect as many systems as possible. Therefore it is only logical to write code that has the highest chance of infecting as many hosts as possible.

[Beruen]

Oddly enough, I know very few programmers that DO use IE, except the web developers, and they use it as a secondary browser to make sure that their stuff works as intended in IE.

Personally, I think ActiveX is a bigger problem than VBScript, and until IE 7, you couldn't turn off ActiveX without giving up JScript as well. Same counter-argument, noone but IE supports ActiveX.

The most unbiased coverage I've seen on the topic showed that for the time it examined (this was last year, at some point), FireFox had about as many security warnings as IE did. However, FireFox had a quarter the unresolved warnings.

Maybe that's part of it to. Most of the people that I know that use FireFox are much more likely to keep their versions up to date than the IE users I know.

Whichever browser you use, if you're downloading and running "suspect" programs, the browser won't save you. Same thing with opening email attachments.

[miola]

I have to laugh at the suggestion that IE is more secure than firefox.

Firefox is exploited less often because it is separate from the operating system. Why in the hell an operating system needs a browser built into the kernel, I have no idea. Wait, yes I do. It's so MS could get around the DOJ's questions as to why IE HAD to be included in Windows installations.

As to the number of exploites, all exploits are not created equal. Also, the number of exploits visible for IE are generally published by microsoft, and fixed ONLY by microsoft.

EVERY bug that users find for firefox can be submitted and viewed online. ANYBODY can submit fixes for firefox. It is developed in public view, which means more exploits are identified. It also means more get fixed.

Also, when you mention security sites and studies that prove IE is more secure, let's take some time to provide a link to them. Every site I've seen sporting such data has been funded by a group of people that are very loyal to a company that rhymes with Bicrosoft.

But as always, use whatever makes you feel good

[Altaris]

If forums are less example for you than you meeting them IRL, use IE....No prob here...heh

It means you may never take advice from a forum...But it is your decision on what you use, not mine.

Of course, that is only natural, is not, to trust those RL friends and coworkers more so than some screen name?

As to the rest, I am not advocating IE over FireFox, or vice versus. Personally, I think the IE and Microsoft hatred is a little much. It is a real turn off to be so blatantly prejudiced against something, simply because it says "Microsoft."

To all those who actually use Firefox, were you ever hacked or had a virus before you began using it? Have you had one since? And do you know for sure that IE or Firefox was to blame or the savior of the day?

[mesonm]

Of course, that is only natural, is not, to trust those RL friends and coworkers more so than some screen name?

As to the rest, I am not advocating IE over FireFox, or vice versus. Personally, I think the IE and Microsoft hatred is a little much. It is a real turn off to be so blatantly prejudiced against something, simply because it says "Microsoft."

To all those who actually use Firefox, were you ever hacked or had a virus before you began using it? Have you had one since? And do you know for sure that IE or Firefox was to blame or the savior of the day?

You conclude incorrectly, sir...In my case, I have so many Microsoft products that I can't find all of them....I get them from a relative who works there...

But, I will never again use IE unless I am forced to do so....IE is too big a target for hackers...Yes, IE was the reason for one of the attacks I suffered....No, the attacker didn't get a thing....because I had non-Microsoft protection watching over IE at the time.

As for trusting RL people over forums....sure...If the forum people and your RL friends have the exact same scope of knowledge and experience, trust whom you like...However, if my friends don't know how to cook, and put forth an opinion about cooking, I'll take the cooking forum opinion over theirs every time.

[Altaris]

You conclude incorrectly, sir...In my case, I have so many Microsoft products that I can't find all of them....I get them from a relative who works there...

But, I will never again use IE unless I am forced to do so....IE is too big a target for hackers...Yes, IE was the reason for one of the attacks I suffered....No, the attacker didn't get a thing....because I had non-Microsoft protection watching over IE at the time.

As for trusting RL people over forums....sure...If the forum people and your RL friends have the exact same scope of knowledge and experience, trust whom you like...However, if my friends don't know how to cook, and put forth an opinion about cooking, I'll take the cooking forum opinion over theirs every time.

But that was the point of my questioning post. You have had an occurance with IE that caused a negative point of view. That has a basis in experience. The majority of people I have encountered, entirely on-line, which advocate Firefox have not had a directly negative experience with IE.

On the second point, I agree with you. I'd think that my accredited and educated companions are, in fact, possessed of the appropriate scope of knowledge and experience.

To quote my earlier post:
But I know a few RL programmers, software writers & lots of general computer geeks. But I have never met, in RL, some one who actually suggests Firefox over IE.

Some here have shared their jobs/education as x, y, z in computers. Great. I'll take your words a little more to heart for knowing that, along with the same grain of salt any faceless communcation should be taken.

[mesonm]

But I have never met, in RL, some one who actually suggests Firefox over IE.

cool...But, to be picky, this statement doesn't say they advocate anything, or indicates that you've ever discussed the subject at all.

[Altaris]

cool...But, to be picky, this statement doesn't say they advocate anything, or indicates that you've ever discussed the subject at all.

Called to the carpet. :grin:

[Krollin]

I have to laugh at the suggestion that IE is more secure than firefox.

You can laugh all you like, I haven't had any serious issues with IE but I have had some with Firefox.

Firefox is exploited less often because it is separate from the operating system. Why in the hell an operating system needs a browser built into the kernel, I have no idea. Wait, yes I do. It's so MS could get around the DOJ's questions as to why IE HAD to be included in Windows installations.

That is not strictly true, Microsoft use XML and HTML to display a lot of the UI on the Desktop, it makes sense to use core components to do that which is why they are built into the OS. The actual Browser, IE, uses those components but is not in itself a core part of the dekstop.
The issue was not about having IE on Windows it was about Microsoft not allowing other browsers to be installed as standard on OEM machines with Windows installed on them.

As to the number of exploites, all exploits are not created equal. Also, the number of exploits visible for IE are generally published by microsoft, and fixed ONLY by microsoft.

This is not true, most of the vulnerabities ín the released software are discovered, published and have patches created by research groups working for the network security companies like McAffee.
People also blame things like the JPEG vulnerability, the LZH vulnerability and the Adobe Reader vulnerability on IE and Microsoft (these being the among the most widely exploited attack forms after VBS) where in actual fact the first 2 problems were in code that has been part of the public domain for DECADES and Adobe is not part of Microsoft.

Also Microsoft give access to parts of their source code to companies precisely in order to improve things like application integration, interoperability and security.
Microsoft publish the Security Bulletins when
- the exploits are being used
- the exploits represent a severe risk to the users
- there is a solution to the problem

Publishing details of an exploit helps the abusers more than the users if not done correctly too.

EVERY bug that users find for firefox can be submitted and viewed online. ANYBODY can submit fixes for firefox. It is developed in public view, which means more exploits are identified. It also means more get fixed.

It also means that people have the chance to find the exploits and use them for their own ends too.

Also, when you mention security sites and studies that prove IE is more secure, let's take some time to provide a link to them. Every site I've seen sporting such data has been funded by a group of people that are very loyal to a company that rhymes with Bicrosoft.

But as always, use whatever makes you feel good
The facts are out there in the public domain and don't come from Microsoft supported companies either.

[moopy]

As to the rest, I am not advocating IE over FireFox, or vice versus. Personally, I think the IE and Microsoft hatred is a little much. It is a real turn off to be so blatantly prejudiced against something, simply because it says "Microsoft."

No, you're right. It's a better call to avoid IE and use Firefox because people like CERT advise it, or because you happen to be aware of the chatter on things like Bugtraq. Avoid the /facepalm that you'll get from security bods when someone makes assertions as hilarious as Krollin's.

[SwervinCL]

I always use FireFox.. I have never had a problem. In my use of IE, IE always gets cluttered up. Firefox does not... I always had problem with toolbars auto installing themselves into IE.. FF just runs a lot faster and cleaner for me.. Thats my reason for using FF.. Pure personal preference.. PLUS Microsoft sucks.