Security Token
Latest
Microsoft buys PhoneFactor, adds smartphone authentication to its cloud services
With a hand-in-glove relationship with the world of business, it's key that Microsoft ensures it can keep companies data safe. That's what prompted Steve Ballmer to whip out his checkbook to snap up PhoneFactor, a multi-factor authentication company that uses smartphones instead of code-generating security tokens. With its new toy, Redmond plans to integrate the feature into its services like SharePoint, Azure and Office 365, letting users sign on with their own device as a key element of the signing in process.
RSA security hack not affecting Blizzard authenticators
Many people were quick to wonder and worry about whether the recent hacking of the RSA (the security branch of EMC) had the potential of harming Blizzard's authenticators or authentication software. Fear not, as the blues have chimed in with a response: RSA Hack and Blizzard Authenticators Pokzin, The Blizzard Authenticators are based off modified Vasco tokens. I'm sorry to hear about RSA's troubles, but it will not affect the Blizzard Authenticator. source It doesn't look like Blizzard will be harmed by this at all. As a reminder, please keep your account safe by not clicking links in emails that don't appear to be from Blizzard, always check your email headers for incoming email addresses, and if you have any questions about whether an email is legitimate, contact Blizzard first. And do please get an authenticator for your account. Check out some of our own security articles here.
More details on the Final Fantasy XIV collector's edition
We've been treated to a deluge of information about Final Fantasy XIV over the past couple of days, which coincides nicely with the fact that the collector's edition releases in just a little over a month. The obvious bonus to that special edition, of course, is the fact that it releases a week before the standard edition. But there's more inside the box than just an early game disc, and Eorzeapedia has had the chance to take a look closer at some of the contents. The Square-Enix security token included in the box certainly goes a long way to alleviating the price of entry, as it normally costs $10 alone and will work with both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI (indeed, having both on the same account can provide distinct advantages). Also worth noting are the special documents mailed to players for characters they create -- a physical commemoration of your character, with designs unique to each home nation. Combine that with the travel journal full of concept art, and there are plenty of bonuses even without the early release. (Not that said release isn't excellent.)
Square-Enix security tokens on sale Tuesday!
If you've been waiting to get your hands on one of those Square Enix authenticator tokens to keep your Final Fantasy XI account safe and sound, then you're in for some great news. Square Enix has announced that they will start selling their security tokens on Tuesday, April 7th in Japan, North America and Europe. These new tokens will cost $9.99 US and will be available for purchase through the PlayOnline viewer. Also, if you opt to pick up one of the security tokens, you'll get a special in-game bonus item called "The Mog Satchel." Apparently this nifty new item will grant you additional inventory space equal to a character's Gobbiebag capacity - up to 60 slots! Additionally, it will "benefit all characters on the PlayOnline account(s)". Now as to whether that means shared communal space between all the characters or just the ability to have one on each character, they didn't explain. Square Enix did note that the bag would be able to be accessed from anywhere; the Mog House or while out running around adventuring. For $10 to ensure your account's security and to score up to an additional 60 inventory slots? We know we'll be making that investment, kupo.
Final Fantasy XI borrows page from WoW, offers authenticators
With the rampant MMO account hacks that happen every day - and especially the seemingly high numbers that occur in Final Fantasy XI that we've heard about, we're glad to hear that this change is coming. Square Enix has announced that, like Blizzard, they will be offering an account authenticator security token to players, helping to ensure that their accounts are safer in the future from random hacks. There's no immediate information available on the exact cost or when they'll be offering them through PlayOnline beyond "in the near future", but we're sure that players will snap them up. Also, the FFXI variant will also be coming with a special in-game bonus "which may just prove indispensible during your many adventures in Vana'diel!"Of course, if you're a follower of [GM] Dave, game-master and celebrity Chef de Cuisine to hungry dragons in Final Fantasy XI, you'll likely have heard about this already. He claims to have been the one to think up security tokens years ago, before his supervisor nabbed the idea, and landed a promotion (and [GM]Dave's wrath) out of the deal. (Can you warp supervisors to zones full of dragons without them catching on, we wonder?) Ultimately, whatever the genesis of this decision is, we're sure the FFXI community is glad to see security tokens coming.
Activating the Authenticator
The Blizzard Authenticator is currently sold out on the Blizzard Store. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come, when they're ready. I bought one as soon as I heard they were available. Although my experience with the Blizzard Store was not great, it was certainly better than some others. After my order was placed, every time I checked on in, I what appeared to be a rag doll murloc who informed me that an error occurred on the page. My authenticator has arrived. Thanks to the free shipping from the Blizzard online store, I saved $0.59 in United States Postal Service postage. To be honest, I'm just glad to have my security token. The token come with a single piece of documentation, which directs the user to the security token FAQ page. I expected the authenticator to be slightly larger. It's approximately the same size as the clicker for my Mustang. I have not yet devised a tether for it, but the device will soon be leashed to my computer.
