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Valve Admits Steam Intrusion, No Current Evidence of Fraud

Just to be safe, you might want to change your password.

By Patrick Klepek  |  Nov. 10, 2011

Steam's message boards were compromised Sunday, and it's been investigating since.
Steam's message boards were compromised Sunday, and it's been investigating since.

It’s one thing when a message board gets compromised, it’s quite another when it’s one of the most popular services amongst PC users.

An unidentified user or group of users gained access to the Steam message boards on Sunday, and subsequently “obtained access to a Steam database in addition to the forums,” the company said today.

The statement, signed by founder Gabe Newell, claims the company has found no evidence of credit card fraud, but recommends users to monitor their financial accounts closely. Even if you didn’t have an account on the Steam message boards, Valve recommends changing your password.

“I am truly sorry this happened, and I apologize for the inconvenience,” said Newell.”

Users accessed “a Steam database in addition to the forums” that had user names, hashed and salted passwords, game purchases, email addresses, billing addresses, and encrypted credit card information.There is currently no evidence the credit card information has been decrypted, and Valve is “still investigating.”

Only a few message board accounts were reportedly compromised, and they “do not know of any compromised Steam accounts” at this time.

Basically, change your password. If Valve issues further updates, I’ll let you know.

Filed under: Steam, Valve Corporation
155 Comments
Zoron Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:55 p.m.

eep, better change my password, but i guess it also a good thing that i don't use the forums there.

RockinKemosabeon Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:55 p.m.

Damn you hackers!

CharlesAlanRatliffon Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:55 p.m.

Thanks for the update! I'll go change it now before resuming Snake Eater HD.

Shmioon Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:56 p.m.

Does this mean BF3 is coming to steam?

addixon Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:56 p.m.

Well, off to change my password.

bonorbitzon Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:57 p.m.

Whoob-boo-boo-boo-boo! I know what I'm doing when I get home tonight.

Ares42on Nov. 10, 2011 at 2:59 p.m.

Hmm, went to change password and got "Steam cannot process your request" error repeatedly =/

AhmadMetallicon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3 p.m.
wow. 
 
shit.
Jeffk38ukon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:01 p.m.

Changed it as a precaution as mentioned and its unfortunate for any business to be hacked like this.

forkboyon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:01 p.m.

Wish it would let me change my password.

artofwar420on Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:02 p.m.

Thanks for the heads up.

Meatsimon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:02 p.m.

Can't hurt to change your password.

Rheteon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:03 p.m.

Well, I have Steam guard on so they'd E-mail me if anyone tried to use my account. Plus I only use that password with Steam. Plus Steam didn't have my credit card number. So personally, I'm not too worried, but this news does suck in general.

BisonHeroon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.

@Ares42 said:

Hmm, went to change password and got "Steam cannot process your request" error repeatedly =/

I believe it gives you that error even if their servers are fine, but you're typing in your password incorrectly.

DaemonBlackon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.

Thanks for the info Patrick.

Vitor is online on Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-10-valve-confirms-steam-security-breach

According to Eurogamer, they stole a lot more than just forum stuff.

Possible Credit Card info leaked amongst other things.

Mr_Skeletonon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:05 p.m.

They should have Pulled a Sony and ignore this for a week.

Brian333on Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:05 p.m.

!@#@U#!@#*!#%*!#@(@#!*(&*@*@@10_**&^%@!&!

In the time-tested and revered words of Samuel L. Jackson "God dammit! I hate this hacker crap!

devilzrule27on Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:07 p.m.

@Mr_Skeleton: Given it happened on Sunday and we are finding out about it on Thursday, they kinda did.

Draugenon Nov. 10, 2011 at 3:07 p.m.

Man, I'm so sick of these thieving bastards.

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Steam is a digital distribution service owned by Valve. Originally created to distribute its own games, Steam has since expanded to become the de facto standard for digital distribution of PC games, and supports community features, downloadable content and achievements. Starting 2010, Steam now offers Mac games as well.

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