Recently, right after password reset we've got very bad situation in our ally:
1. Two of our _high level_ ally members were banned "for using cheat programs and/or 3rd party software".
They NEVER used any sort of 3rd party/cheating software for anything - exp/farm/shop/exploit/etc. They are legit player since the beginning and are strong against usage of any kind of 3rd party software. This can be proven by hundreds (if not thousand) of legit players from friend allies, enemy allies, neutral allies - anybody.
Recently they received mail from NCSoft about their accounts have been banned. Any conversations with NCSoft staff did not give any result. They just recieved standard "The decision to terminate the account(s) is final and not up for review.". What have to be done that NCSoft staff start to understand proofs that they are giving and reconsider their decision? Because I can bet $1kk that they NEVER used ANY 3rd party software in conjunction with L2. I'm thinking of group letter from leaders and members of friend/enemy/neutral allies on server. Will it help them to beleive and to more carefully review all proofs?
2. One of _high level_ members have his account stolen.
His account was stolen right after NCSoft placed notice about password reset. He got 2 mails about somebody reset hist password from 2 different IPs (both are not from his provider IP pool). Today we've seen that his character left the clan. He gave all screenshots, all data for his account, except some data he does not remember and he stated that he does not remember, but gave as much info as possible, but support continues to ask him again for that data. Meanwhile I think that char is already have no weapons/aremor/warehouse/etc. He didn't receieve any help (only templated replies about 'what is your birthday, ....') for more than 4 days. What is probability that NCSoft will help to return his account at least and return his stolen stuff?
2. One of _high level_ members have his account stolen.
His account was stolen right after NCSoft placed notice about password reset. He got 2 mails about somebody reset hist password from 2 different IPs (both are not from his provider IP pool). Today we've seen that his character left the clan. He gave all screenshots, all data for his account, except some data he does not remember and he stated that he does not remember, but gave as much info as possible, but support continues to ask him again for that data. Meanwhile I think that char is already have no weapons/aremor/warehouse/etc. He didn't receieve any help (only templated replies about 'what is your birthday, ....') for more than 4 days. What is probability that NCSoft will help to return his account at least and return his stolen stuff?
Update: NCSoft finally returned his account, but as I've thought - account/char is completely 'nude' - no weapon/armor/jewelery/inventory/warehouse. Any confirmed practice of stuff returned?
NC's policy is that your account is your own responsibility, and thus they never return items. I imagine the case would be different if you could prove that NC is at fault for the compromised account, but from your description that doesn't seem to be the case. If I had a clanmate in that situation I would help him out as much as possible, which is probably what you're going to have to do in order to keep him in game.
As for your first case, there's simply no way you could 'know' that these high level characters have never used 3rd party software. You say you have proof, but testimony from hundreds is still not valid proof. Some cheaters are skilled at keeping the veil up, and some people that cheat shut down their programs once they've attained a certain level (though their past misdeeds may catch up to them with how slowly NC deals with bot reports). Really they could have been busted for simple things like a Zoomhack or a program that lists the hp and level of other characters. Even if you were with them every day in game you would never notice any weird behavior from their character in such cases.
The bottom line is that there's a tiny chance they could be innocent, but more likely they did something stupid at one point that got them banned. NC's slow policy is in part due to the fact that they only ban accounts when sufficient proof is present, which is why so many cheaters slip through the cracks. It's also a policy that prevents innocent people from being banned, though mistakes can be made (hopefully this wasn't one).
NC's policy is that your account is your own responsibility, and thus they never return items. I imagine the case would be different if you could prove that NC is at fault for the compromised account, but from your description that doesn't seem to be the case. If I had a clanmate in that situation I would help him out as much as possible, which is probably what you're going to have to do in order to keep him in game.
Right after NCSoft put up notice that they had security issue with their database compromised. Isn't it the proof? His passwords (both master account and game account) are strong - 13 charactes with special symbols and so on. His computer is clean from viruses and adware/spyware. He never used those password on any other site. Never gave their passwords to anyone.
Password was reset on _Master_ account, which mean that guy, who have stolen account had access to birthday _AND_ secrect question answer. Answer was also very hard (if not impossible) to guess. Isn't it proof of security issue on NC's side?
P.S. I'm not whining, to whom it may concern, I'm trying to ask you for opinions, help, advices...
As for your first case, there's simply no way you could 'know' that these high level characters have never used 3rd party software. You say you have proof, but testimony from hundreds is still not valid proof. Some cheaters are skilled at keeping the veil up, and some people that cheat shut down their programs once they've attained a certain level (though their past misdeeds may catch up to them with how slowly NC deals with bot reports). Really they could have been busted for simple things like a Zoomhack or a program that lists the hp and level of other characters. Even if you were with them every day in game you would never notice any weird behavior from their character in such cases.
It is not about weird behavior and so on. They even do not know how to use those hacks/3rd party software - they asked me what is NCsoft is talking about, wodered about if their antivirus can cause it. They just plain non-IT players. They know how to 'press button and play'.
And another side reason I'm talking/asking about their problem is that their enlish is much more worse than even my poor english... So they cannot even explain correctly what they want :( I helped them to write letters and responses to NCSoft letters, but this didn't help....
there is a program used by a site that monitors drops and such... they could have used the related software to get access to the advanced features there not realizing what it really was.
Same for other programs they may have used, they may not have realized the fact tehy were against the rules.
2. One of _high level_ members have his account stolen.
His account was stolen right after NCSoft placed notice about password reset. He got 2 mails about somebody reset hist password from 2 different IPs (both are not from his provider IP pool). Today we've seen that his character left the clan. He gave all screenshots, all data for his account, except some data he does not remember and he stated that he does not remember, but gave as much info as possible, but support continues to ask him again for that data. Meanwhile I think that char is already have no weapons/aremor/warehouse/etc. He didn't receieve any help (only templated replies about 'what is your birthday, ....') for more than 4 days. What is probability that NCSoft will help to return his account at least and return his stolen stuff?
I hope he never bought this account. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if many of the bought accounts get stripped during this time. Best of luck to your allies.
I hope he never bought this account. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if many of the bought accounts get stripped during this time. Best of luck to your allies.
Nope, surely not. He bought boxed game in store. I saw him when he was lvl 1 char with no money, armor, anything, absolutely helpless :>
His account was stolen right after NCSoft placed notice about password reset. He got 2 mails about somebody reset hist password from 2 different IPs (both are not from his provider IP pool)
If this true these emails should be included with any other information you have. You should actually have a pretty good argument since they shut everything down because of a security issue. The problem is you cant do it for your friend. He is the only person who can petition the issue to try and get his stuff back. They can check the activity of the account for the past few days and see exactly what happend to all the stuff on that account. If it was truly stolen and given to an account that he had never interacted with before it would be suspicious behavior. But if all the stuff was given to a clan/ally member well you get the point. Just tel him not to give up easily. If he loves the game enough he should try hard to get it back.
NC's policy is that your account is your own responsibility, and thus they never return items. I imagine the case would be different if you could prove that NC is at fault for the compromised account
Go to plaync.com. Type in your username and a bad password, try it again, type in ten bad passwords in a row, then a hundred, then a thousand, more if you please. Heck write yourself a script and let it run for several days, nothing there to prevent scripting, let it run for a few days. Then type in your correct password and watch it take. Try the same thing with the Forgot Password feature.
While this type of "hacking" goes on solely on NCsofts systems, you don't get an email that your account is under attack, NCsoft doesn't lock you out or block your IP, or as any responsible company would, lock the account and call you to issue a new username. As a matter off fact, they're probably sitting there updating their security FAQ patronizing their users like were're idiots while their account security is one of the worst ones imaginable.
Maybe he dident bot, exploit or whatever with this account, but maybe he did it with an other account, and dident realize that NC can track pretty much everything.
Generally if you dont know the person in real life you cant be 100% sure that everything he tells you are true.
I was earlier in a clan and had a really good relationship with one of the clanies, he did everything by the rules and looked like a pretty ligit player.
Then one day I was hunting(with an alt) near a b-train and suddenly the buffers started giving me buffs. I said thanks and asked why I got all this fine buff. Then the b-train said "you are welcome [name of my main]"
I asked where he had my mains name from and he said "hehehe..... it's me who palys [name] in your mains clan"
I was compleatly stunned, because I would NEVER had thought that he was breaking the rules. In the clan chat he always banned of all the **** ppl breaking the rules.
I'm not saying taha your clanie did break the rule, I'm just saying that everything is not only black and white......
If your clanie dident breake the rules, then I sure hope he gets his accounts back, but I i'm almost sure that he do not get his stuff back if anything is missing.
Type in your username and a bad password, try it again, type in ten bad passwords in a row, then a hundred, then a thousand, more if you please. Heck write yourself a script and let it run for several days, nothing there to prevent scripting, let it run for a few days.
Tsss Tsss Tssss... These hacks have been known since day1.
NetcongableNO !
Dude, If you wanna try to [923] to try and bruteforce the login server, you will be noticed.
Operators usually stay in the Dark, and they are quite effective.
Don't try any DOS types of attacks, as you will be retraced, spoof or not.
NC's policy is that your account is your own responsibility, and thus they never return items. I imagine the case would be different if you could prove that NC is at fault for the compromised account, but from your description that doesn't seem to be the case. If I had a clanmate in that situation I would help him out as much as possible, which is probably what you're going to have to do in order to keep him in game.
The problem here is we all know that account security WAS compromised.
We're only responsible so long they can claim they're faultless. They aren't anymore if they've ever been.
Please ask your alliance members to continue their discussions with the Support team. Discussions of this nature are not held on the official message board, in particular with someone who is not the owner of the account. Thank you!