Time to get that Authenticator
by Mike Schramm 
Dec 10th 2009 at 3:00PM
And you might as well, too. Blizzard's Store was flooded with people looking for authenticators yesterday, but things have slowed down a bit, and they've even got a brand new design with the Corehound Pup right on there. The price, as usual, is $6.50 with free shipping. If you've got an iPhone or an iPod touch, you can get the app free from iTunes, and we're told that it's coming to other platforms at some point in the future (guess when: "soon"). Even if you don't want to apply the Authenticator for whatever reason, just think of it as an almost-half-price pet.
Filed under: Items, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Account Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Tom Dec 10th 2009 3:03PM
I've had my authenticator since the day it was released - never had a problem and has worked 100% since day 1. I love it!
wdm+hall Dec 10th 2009 8:01PM
I agree, I love mine, however there are a few things you might want to know before getting one for yourself:
1. If you get disconnected during a big fight, having one extra step
to get back online may irritate you and/or wipe your party.
2. If you are afraid of losing it to the point where you don't let it
leave the house then you won't be able to log in to post to the
official blizzard forums or initiate a faction change from work
to be ready when you got home.
3. If the power supply ever ran out (advertised as seven years), it
otherwise malfunctioned, or you spilled beer all over it when
that rogue came out of nowhere, you'd just be out of luck until
billing got back to you after you've faxed them several items, see
http://www.wowwiki.com/Blizzard_Authenticator#Technical_Issues
chris.gorton Dec 11th 2009 4:44AM
I've refused to get in the past due to the shipping charges on th EU store more than doubling the price.
Checked the store again today prompted by this article and lo and behold Free Shipping!
Authenticator ordered.
DarkWalker Dec 11th 2009 8:42AM
You don't need the authenticator to post on the forums.
And, for those who have the mobile authenticator and can get to their phone's java storage, you can back up the authenticator's records and restore it in case of a phone failure. But be advised that backups may not work if restored on other brands/models.
Ricohardt Dec 11th 2009 9:30AM
I tried to get one today. Canadian shipping puts the price at $17.
Gridneo Dec 10th 2009 3:05PM
One question for those with Authenticators...
Is it strictly the token value from the Authenticator as your password, or do you concatenate it with a password of your choice?
I have the iPhone app, just haven't used it.
Matt Roduner Dec 10th 2009 3:06PM
You sign in with your username and password (like normal), then a box pops up where you enter the code from your authenticator
Bunnah Dec 10th 2009 3:08PM
When you log on like normal, you get a second smaller prompt that asks for the authenticator number. It's an 8-digit number. Takes about 2 seconds. I hammer it in with the numpad and hit enter and I'm on my way.
Ben Dec 10th 2009 3:56PM
...
6 digit, not 8
Wulf Dec 10th 2009 3:58PM
It's 8 on the iPhone app.
DarkWalker Dec 11th 2009 8:43AM
8 on the other mobile authenticators too. I guess it's the same app, just packed in different ways.
Igantinos Dec 10th 2009 3:06PM
I am ordering in but since I live in Brazil I dont trust the postal service so I am ordering it to sweden so I can pick it up in January :D
Rollo Dec 10th 2009 7:52PM
But then you'll get one with Swedish numbers on it!
DarkWalker Dec 11th 2009 8:43AM
If you have internet access from your mobile, the mobile authenticator is available from quite a few cellphone operators in Brazil, and even if your operator is not supported, there are procedures that allow you to download the app to a phone on an unsupported carrier. See http://deathcoil.net/authguide.html
Freak Mojo Dec 10th 2009 3:07PM
Same boat on my Mac. No real need for the Authenticator, but free app for my iPhone + free pet = easy decision. Had that loaded and linked and logged on with my pets in the mail :)
Mikee Dec 10th 2009 3:20PM
Google searching 'keylogger for Mac' brings back a couple million results. While it's true Macs don't have the same exposure to viruses that PC's have, that doesn't mean you're immune.
Freak Mojo Dec 10th 2009 3:24PM
Never said I was immune, but I meant that my WoW and Mac never stray too far from the safety zone.
Ryan Dec 10th 2009 3:26PM
I am betting you are prone to social engineering if you believe you are secure because you use a Mac.
Steve Dec 10th 2009 4:03PM
I'm on a Mac and I don't do any of the things you're not supposed to do and I got hacked anyway. Got the authenticator on my iPhone the next week and I've never had a problem with it.
Mac users are just as vulnerable as anyone else. We may not have to worry as much about viruses and whatnot, but Macs are far from hack-proof.
Neirin Dec 10th 2009 3:54PM
The overabundance of PC viruses compared to Mac viruses is the real advantage Mac users get, but it's still russian roulette if you're not careful. Of course, whatever programming advantages one system might have over another, the biggest security hole is you.