World of Warcraft's Brand New Rootkit

[Mr. Analog]

An interesting article just popped up on Slashdot:

"We all know that World of Warcraft has checked for hacks to ensure a safe game environment for all players. The latest version of these checks goes beyond anything seen so far in that what is being checked is now completely encrypted. Obviously this hits bot writers as can be seen from these complaints, But it also strikes at the privacy of all users. Now Blizzard has a tool that is encrypted and can run any type of scan, transfer any file or edit any document on your computer. That can't be right."

Emphasis mine.

Slashdot article link.

[Lazybones]

Do you use games on Steam?
Do you run with VAC enabled on VAC servers?

Encrypted content with a service that detects hacking..  I would say in an MMO blizzard is on the right track as long as the service is ONLY checking its own content.

Even if it is encrypted it should be easy to tell if the monitoring service is scanning other files on your system.

[Thorin]

Even if it is encrypted it should be easy to tell if the monitoring service is scanning other files on your system.

For a typical Windows Vista user, rather than a well-trained and experienced network admin such as yourself?  What would they do to detect what files on their system are being opened for read?

[Mr. Analog]

That's true, it's just interesting that Blizzard is doing this to existing clients that didn't do this before.

[Lazybones]

Even if it is encrypted it should be easy to tell if the monitoring service is scanning other files on your system.

For a typical Windows Vista user, rather than a well-trained and experienced network admin such as yourself?  What would they do to detect what files on their system are being opened for read?

What would they do for a NON encrypted tool? The only people who would montor ether are those that understand what it is doing.

That's true, it's just interesting that Blizzard is doing this to existing clients that didn't do this before.

Valves VAC was not an original component of Steam as far as I recall and people complained about it as well.

[Darren Dirt]

makes me even more likely to go back to the City Of Heroes well rather than risk a new MMO

Mr. Analog, FYI I might actually be installing CofH(and V) this weekend, got my son and daughters all excited about playing last weekend after reminiscing with ya... Kinda dreading the long download though (no idea where my install CDs went, but they're ancient anyway...

[Mr. Analog]

I really really wish I had time this weekend, maybe Sunday night.

[Darren Dirt]

"Bob" sez Wii was like "The Patch" for his WoW addiction (!)
http://www.zefrank.com/dearmobby/2007/11/anxious_ape.html#comments