Steam Hit by Major Security Breach, Many Accounts Hacked! -- Master Herald

http://masterherald.com/steam-hit-by-major-security-breach-many-accounts-hacked/23239/

The gist of it is, Steam was cracked, many Steam accounts were hacked, but Steam didn't notify it's users.  In my opinion, that's negligent...in a major way.  With today's problem with internet breaches, providers should be prompt and proactive in notifying their user base, as breaches tend to not only affect a person's service account, it can also affect finances and credit.  There's a lot of gray or overlapping areas where breaches are concerned.  If a game service provider is hacked and credit card data is tied to the account, purchases can be made internet-wide.  As well, home address information tied the the account can be used to open lines of credit against your name.

I really think that there should be laws that govern how businesses interact with their customers when breaches occur.  There should be no more waiting when there's a time criticality tied to most breaches.

Origin Account Hacked!

My Origin account got hacked today. Was out shopping and missed the "your password has been changed" e-mail from Origin. I saw it maybe an hour later, and immediately submitted a trouble ticket. They called me immediately (within a minute of creating the trouble ticket). Whoever made the change was able to guess the answers to my security questions (WTF).

They also changed the e-mail address associated with the account to "garryjhonson98@gmail.com". They changed the origin ID to "ENFIELD_Hare_Gr".

The EA agent reverted back to my original e-mail address and set up new security questions. He changed the Origin ID to something else. He also set up login verification (that wasn't active on my account) and tied it to my phone number so that any future password changes would be directed to my phone...if they don't have to code sent to my phone, they can't change anything on the account.

He also told me to check my friend list, as they tend to add themselves to the list after hacking accounts (so that they might be able to try again later).

I've no idea how they were able to know my login and guess my password, as well as the answers to my security questions. Luckily, no purchases were made, as I had a credit card linked to the account.

I'm sharing all this in case this person is jumping between people's friend lists.

UPDATE - 8/4/2015:  Noticed another hack attempt...Origin sent me a security code via text, meaning someone tried to access my account but won't be able unless they can retrieve the security code that was sent to me (via phone).

Samsung Gear S (Verizon)

I'm about to head to bed but thought I'd copy my notes on my initial experience with the Gear S:

Could not find the Samsung Gear app, even when using Samsung's instructions at http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00038393/239278/.  I found that the problem was Chrome...it wasn't seeing the 'download' icon.  Using the OEM browser, I was able to see it.

Next issue I ran into was that the phone wouldn't pair with the watch.  The instructions never said to go into the phone's BT screen and attempt to pair the device.  As well, once the Gear app is opened, it takes over the screen...this implies that the Gear app needs to be used to initially pair the phone with the watch.  I found that when I go into the phone's BT settings and try to pair the phone with the watch, it downloads and installs 11 new apps, but still won't pair with the watch...the watch won't accept the 'OK' clicks to accept the pairing.

I got fed up and kept hitting the 'OK' prompt on the watch when trying to get it to accept the pair attempt...I hit it maybe 4-5 times rapidly and it THEN began to pair.

I also ended up not seeing the "activate" screen, so the watch was only seeing limited 3G and was set to roam.  I performed a factory reset and after the watch rebooted, it was a night and day difference, where the watch could be navigated without hesistation or voice prompting.  I was able to activate the watch and configure mobile usage for 'auto only'.  

I'm not even sure I should compare the Gear S to my Pebble (non-Steel).  I've pretty much retired my Pebble.  I'll either put it away with my other gadgets or try to sell it.  Maybe one of my daughters will want it.

I don't think I'll ever see a week's worth of usage (on one charge) with the Gear S, although I did fully charge it today...the watch is currently at 68%.  I went into the watch's settings (Settings/Connections/Mobile networks/) and set "Gear networks" to auto switch, which will only use mobile broadband when I or an app needs it (phone calls and such).  I've got the watch set to auto-dim as well.  The charging cradle actually holds a charge, although I don't know if it'll fully charge the watch's battery from empty.  The phone charges pretty quickly if you're not using it while it's being charged.

So far I've set up the Gear app to notify the same apps that I'd configured to notify on my Pebble.  I can get a view of my G-mail e-mails but I'm not sure I'm ready to use the default e-mail application on my Note Edge...I'm used to using the G-mail app, but the watch doesn't have an app for that.

I've set up my voice-mail and have to remember the watch's phone number.  I don't foresee using the watch as a standalone smart device any time soon.  I don't even think I'll be using the watch's phone features.  To set up voice-mail, I had to call the VM number using the watch.  The speaker is loud enough to hear with ease, although I've no idea how well the microphone works and if it has good noise cancellation.

The watch has a native browser as well, but I have to use the Gear app to install it.  I don't see the need to use the watch as a web browser.

I'm curious about the texting/messaging features, though.  I attempted to type a text and while the virtual keys were extremely small, I didn't do any typos, so I guess the keyboard is good enough.

The watch is hefty, but I'm enjoying it thus far.  I worry that I'll bang it against something accidentally (I opted out of insurance for the watch -- Verizon's insurance is expensive!).  I'd rather not use a screen protector...that's more hassle than it's worth (I tried to put one on my Pebble but removed it soon after, as it was annoying).

I'll be setting it up to my liking over the next week...there's so much to configure that I'm a bit overwhelmed.  I might do a quick video review of it later, as well.

For now, I'm impressed enough to say I think I'll keep it.  Initially, when I was having issues setting it up, I was irritated enough to where I was thinking on returning it ($399 for something that was giving me immediate issues...uhmmm...no), but I'm OK now.  :)

UPDATE:

I've not run into any problem with the smartwatch, so far.  I have noticed that with set to auto switch  between BT and using the mobile network, I end up with 15-20% battery use in a 24-hour period.  This is without using the watch as a phone or web browsing with it.  I typically only look at it when someone texts, when I'm notified of an incoming e-mail, or when I'm looking at the time (pretty much how I was using my Pebble).

I've also noticed that my dog likes to lick the watch...her tongue activates the watch!

UPDATE 2:

I usually sit or stand with my arms crossed...I can't do that with this watch.  My arm's skin ends up activating the screen, which sometimes enables widgets or other watch tools.  They should build some type of logic where the screen won't activate if at at certain angle.

Verizon Customer Service Issues, Samsung Gear S

I reported awhile back that I upgraded my daughter to the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.  We had to return her phone because the display was showing a thin green line going down the center of the screen.  It initially showed after I took it out of the box, but disappeared the next day.  My daughter told me that the display issue had returned maybe a week later.  I began to research how to get the phone replaced.  Verizon has no real guidance on how to do such a thing...the box contained return instructions (in case we changed our minds about the phone)...it said nothing of if the phone were damaged.  There was nothing on their website.

Two days before the two-week return period expired, I decided to bring it in to a local corporate store.  They sent me to another store because they didn't have a replacement in stock.  I went to the other store and when trying to describe the display issue, they asked me if I were a Verizon employee (the store I initially visited didn't ask me this).  I told them, "Yes."  They told me I couldn't be helped and that I had to call Verizon Customer Service to get a replacement.  Keep in mind that this is two days before the return period expires, around 7PM.  I returned home and asked online help for assistance.  They couldn't help but gave me a number to call.  When I called the number, and after walking through a menu system that was not intuitive, I got someone who began to help but then told me that I'd have to call back the next day during core duty hours because they weren't staffed to assist me.  By this time it was 10:30PM.

I called the next morning and they walked me through the RMA process, told me where to get a return shipping label, and also told me that I had to ship it and have it post-marked before midnight that night.  I packed up the phone and took it to the local Post Office and got a shipping and tracking receipt, just in case.

That was almost two months ago.  I checked my bill last night and the RMA'd phone was charged to me (WTF).  I'm pretty sure it's because they received the phone after the two-week return period.  I'm awaiting to visit a Corporate store to get it sorted out physically...I'm tired of dealing with phone queues and being transferred (I called several times the first night I was seeking assistance and was disconnected twice).

I haven't had issues with Verizon until now (I'm a long-time customer and employee).  When employees buy phones, they receive discounts.  Verizon uses a different system to process billing of phone purchases and upgrades than they do with non-employees, but this process is convoluted and isn't documented.  I spent a LOT of time trying to determine who to call and when to call.  Another thing:  If you upgrade online, your two-week return period doesn't start until after you've received the phone (shipping days don't count), so I was within the 14-day period (they've the shipping day in their system).  None of this is mentioned anywhere on their website.

If I find that they're going to stick me with the bill after going through all that, I'll immediately withdraw the money to cancel every single line and move to a different carrier.  Almost every phone I have on the plan is a Verizon Edge phone (all but one).  I'll just pay for the 3 Edge phones and 1 contracted phone...better to do that than to give Verizon $350/month the next 2 years.

I've also ordered a Samsung Gear S watch from Verizon.  I bought the watch last night.  After seeing my current Verizon Wireless bill, I almost didn't buy this watch.  I paid full price ($399) instead of having the watch under contract ($349).  Why?  Because I didn't want to have to deal with a contract device if I have to leave Verizon over this recent billing issue.  As well, the difference is only $50 between the two.

I can't wait for this watch.  It is a stand-alone device, meaning it can be used without being tethered to a smartphone (my Pebble needs to be tethered).  I can make and receive calls from the phone.  I can listen to music directly from the phone, with or without a BT headset.  I can get notifications on the phone.  I can't do much of that with my Pebble.  The con is, I *might* get 2 days of battery life from it and will have to carry a charging cradle and micro-USB cable around with me (I can charge the watch while going to/from work and I can also do it while at work).  Functionality-wise, the Gear S is well beyond my Pebble, plus the Pebble was already returned once because of a display issue (the replacement watch has been showing similar issues, though).

I'll review the watch and post it here once I receive it.

UPDATE:

Verizon straightened up the billing for the phones.  My wife called them and got it sorted (luckily, I made sure to get receipts when I mailed the phones back to Verizon...had Post Office and UPS tracking numbers and receipts).  In fact, one was already in the process of being credited back even before my wife called.  Verizon gets a big thumbs-up this time.