My going-on-50 mother recently called me when I was sitting at home with my favorite magazine and a glass of scotch in my most comfy armchair (I like to open up my stories whenever possible with a warm cozy setting; makes the reader feel more at ease) to have her exasperated. She was trying to master facebook, having been invited by a real life friend to a group of all her old high school/college buddies, including her one-time championship dart-team. She also found her old bridge table online (eventually) but needed my help in mastering basic internet skills.

As biased as I am (she's my mother after all) ANYONE that talks to her can tell you she's plenty savvy. You don't spend that many years drinking and gambling and not come out "street-smart." She's also a teacher and is head of her department. While I'm not implying that she's an earth shatteringly brilliant person, she's a damn smart woman. Her computer skills are meager though. If someone ever managed to convince her to play WoW, I'd give it three weeks a best before she finds a way to get hacked. Granted, that might be too short of time because it could take her 6 months to figure out addons if she doesn't ask for help.

To say though that everyone who doesn't "watch their back" or whatever deserves to be hacked for their airheadedness is more than a little unfair. I know you didn't say that, but your bite of impatience for hacked accounts suggests such a feeling to me. Do you expect a brand new clinic doctor to be able to identify a patient displaying drug seeking attitudes within his first month? Or even year? Of course you don't. Why then would someone new to both the internet and gaming be expected to be knowledgeable enough to spot some very well done scam emails? After three and a half years of WoW, I still get the odd email that will make me do a double take. I don't click on them because of long years of internet experience, but the poor true newb doesn't stand a chance.

As for Authenticators being unnecessary and you saying they won't help, I might remind you that NEVER has there been an account hacked with an authenticator tied to it. People have entered their number for a one time login, but the device is not connected to your computer and is literally unhackable. Authenticators are one of the best band-aids Blizzard can add to the game. While you are right in that it will never be possible to completely close that gaping security void sitting between the chair and keyboard, Authenticators are the closest that we can come to that. Did you know your WoW account with an Authenticator will instantly become one of, if not THE most secure pieces of personal information you possess?

I really like the comparison to a seat belt; the risk? It's mildly uncomfortable and takes a handful of seconds out of your day to operate. The reward? It could save your life...but what's sure-fire short term loss to possible long-term gain?

Food for thought: Your psyche...your carnal basic survival desires, as an animal, is programmed for short term gain. Turn up the volume of your intellectual voice and it would tell you uncomfortablness be damned, seatbelts ftw.