PSA: Don't get scammed by Cataclysm phishing

No, what you see above is not the logo of the (probably) upcoming World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. It's the graphic being used by a phishing site that's been making the rounds lately and we've received a number of emails about. To make sure everybody is completely clear, if you see the logo above, the website you're visiting is absolutely not legit. There are no Cataclysm Alpha invites going out to the public, and certainly not Beta invites. When Blizzard kicks off a beta, we'll be sure to tell you. And even better, Blizzard will be sure to tell you. Until that happens, please be careful about what you click on. The pre-expansion period is prime time for phishing attempts.
Naturally, even if that's not the graphic you see, you should be wary of Cataclysm-related phishing sites. There are quite a few right now, and they will even grow more numerous after BlizzCon. Be mindful of the sites you're linked, be careful where you enter your WoW account information, as well as your personal information. I know we've said it many times before, but we really can't say it enough. Don't do anything silly, and if you want to be absolutely sure that you don't do anything silly, grab yourself an authenticator if you can. If you can't get the physical authenticator, there's always one of the mobile authenticators.
Naturally, even if that's not the graphic you see, you should be wary of Cataclysm-related phishing sites. There are quite a few right now, and they will even grow more numerous after BlizzCon. Be mindful of the sites you're linked, be careful where you enter your WoW account information, as well as your personal information. I know we've said it many times before, but we really can't say it enough. Don't do anything silly, and if you want to be absolutely sure that you don't do anything silly, grab yourself an authenticator if you can. If you can't get the physical authenticator, there's always one of the mobile authenticators.
Filed under: Account Security, Cataclysm






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Darias.Perenolde Aug 12th 2009 7:04PM
Like I've said to the rest of the members of Sleeper Cartel:
Dear Eyonix,
Please simplify how you're giving out Beta keys to your beloved children in the GRP. Otherwise, I shall have to invest money in Advil again.
Signed,
Darias
Michael Aug 12th 2009 7:07PM
Put something like VOID or NOT REAL over the graphic...
Xirifus Aug 13th 2009 8:29AM
Yeah, agree.
Too many people are going to shit into their pants when they see this,
only to realize that it's fake...
y'know.. you SHITTED FOR NOTHIN' !!
Xirifus Aug 13th 2009 8:31AM
Lol I swear I didn't see this comment by Ryan before I wrote my reply to Michael;
"wow lol i almost crapped my pants at first glance of this article. At second glance i realized how stupid i was at first glance."
Carnagefiend Aug 12th 2009 7:06PM
A title SO BIG...
...So EPIC...
...It doesn't EVEN FIT IN THE BANNER.
greenthumbs Aug 12th 2009 7:21PM
OH MY GOLLY GOSHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Dreadskull Aug 12th 2009 9:16PM
It fits.
It just had to stretch the bottom banner around it a bit.
No, it's not in denial. It definitely isn't over-sized, just... big lettered.
Stormscape Aug 12th 2009 11:36PM
Seriously, that banner is such a terribly obvious forgery that I can't believe it actually fooled ANYone. These scammers should Lrn2Photoshop.
Ryan Aug 12th 2009 7:11PM
wow lol i almost crapped my pants at first glance of this article. At second glance i realized how stupid i was at first glance.
Simon Jia Aug 12th 2009 7:11PM
They did a good job on the log though.
shadowtas Aug 15th 2009 5:00PM
logo you mean?
Zuldim Aug 12th 2009 7:15PM
Really, anyone who falls for this deserves what they get.
First, There's like 1 and 1/2 inches of empty space in the "The Cataclysm" area.
Second, we don't even know if it will be called "The Cataclysm" yet. All that's been copyrighted was "Cataclysm".
Third, they aren't going to do an alpha/beta on something that doesn't officially exist.
Fourth, It looks like a photoshop, TBH, a good one, but still a photoshop.
PeeWee Aug 12th 2009 7:40PM
The original Warcraft logo was quite possibly made in Photoshop. That doesn't make it any less legit, though.
Neirin Aug 12th 2009 7:18PM
Some people still think those Nigerian princes only have the best of intentions at heart.
Seriously, though, when I got into the wrath beta the e-mail gave me directions for where to go, but no links. This might just have been because I was early in the beta and everything wasn't set up yet, but it certainly helped me believe it was legit.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Aug 12th 2009 7:18PM
The really dumb part is, "Why red?" When I think of "cataclysm", I think of either some kind of Armageddon-type event, or a Maelstrom (this has nothing to do with wow. srs.) Usually the latter, so I'd go with at least sea blue or sky blue. Not red.
Jay Aug 12th 2009 7:44PM
Because blue and green are already taken.
RGB
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Aug 12th 2009 8:02PM
Very well then.
Though I think this could be stated "Additional icons could not be launched"....
Wrabbit Aug 12th 2009 7:20PM
Why do we have to call them "phishing" sites? What deadbeat hippie started that?
Alex Ziebart Aug 12th 2009 7:27PM
I believe it's a term that started in the early 90s, as an evolution of the term 'phreaking.' Phreaking = Phone Freaking, aka the incredibly early hackers that didn't really use computers, but rather telephones. Making whole sets of phones ring off the hook, etc. Phishing was "phone fishing" or pretending to be someone you're not over the phone to get peoples' personal information. The term carried over to the internet. Phreaking, however, did not.
Chilblain Aug 12th 2009 8:03PM
That's phuckin' phunny!