WoW: what if The Armory showed alts and gold?

Out of the current drama merry-go-round that is World of Warcraft‘s highly experimental Armory database, we bring up another security-related discussion underway. According to Jehl over at the WoW official forums, two sensitive details that could get both Blizzard and the players in deep doo-doo if ever implemented on The Armory would be data on alternate characters (alt) and gold.

As Jehl explained, while showing a player’s alternate character in different realms was fun so long as the viewer was a friend, it would prove to be problematic if the players were using that alt to get some time alone in the first place (which is often the case in WoW).

On the matter of gold, the topic takes on a more serious tone. Imagine if somebody had access to viewing the goods of a player’s main character, and that certain people with malicious intent decided to use this information to harass the player online – yes, we’re talking about those ever-annoying beggars.

Or worse – what if this information was used as a means to hack the player‘s account?

Neither of these two features are part of The Armory’s current version, although their possible addition was looming over the discussions. In line with this talk, WoW spokesperson Nethaera posted this reply to clear matters up:

There will be additional information that will be available on the armory at some point but I don’t have a list of specifics for you right now. What I can tell you, however, is that there may be options to opt in on some of that information being made available.

Does this mean Blizzard’s making a reconsideration on their earlier announcement that nobody could opt out of the Armory? We’ll just have to wait and see as The Armory database gets put through its paces, or if Nethaera gets back with an update.

Out of the current drama merry-go-round that is World of Warcraft‘s highly experimental Armory database, we bring up another security-related discussion underway. According to Jehl over at the WoW official forums, two sensitive details that could get both Blizzard and the players in deep doo-doo if ever implemented on The Armory would be data on alternate characters (alt) and gold.

As Jehl explained, while showing a player’s alternate character in different realms was fun so long as the viewer was a friend, it would prove to be problematic if the players were using that alt to get some time alone in the first place (which is often the case in WoW).

On the matter of gold, the topic takes on a more serious tone. Imagine if somebody had access to viewing the goods of a player’s main character, and that certain people with malicious intent decided to use this information to harass the player online – yes, we’re talking about those ever-annoying beggars.

Or worse – what if this information was used as a means to hack the player‘s account?

Neither of these two features are part of The Armory’s current version, although their possible addition was looming over the discussions. In line with this talk, WoW spokesperson Nethaera posted this reply to clear matters up:

There will be additional information that will be available on the armory at some point but I don’t have a list of specifics for you right now. What I can tell you, however, is that there may be options to opt in on some of that information being made available.

Does this mean Blizzard’s making a reconsideration on their earlier announcement that nobody could opt out of the Armory? We’ll just have to wait and see as The Armory database gets put through its paces, or if Nethaera gets back with an update.