GW2 Beta Scams

Regina Buenaobra

Regina Buenaobra

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Me/

There are a couple of scams floating around that claim to offer players access to the Guild Wars 2 beta. Our team recently came across a website, riddled with Trojans, that made these claims. Another scam involves videos where scammers claim to show you how to hack into the game if you give them your account information, and promise to give you access to the Guild Wars 2 beta if you give them all of your game account information. These scams compromise your account security and potentially compromise your computer's safety.

This is just a reminder that the place to find any information about a Guild Wars 2 beta (if and when it is available) is our official website.

Clone

Clone

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Thanks Regina. Any idea on when any official GW2 info will be available?

Regina Buenaobra

Regina Buenaobra

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clone View Post
Thanks Regina. Any idea on when any official GW2 info will be available?
Not at this time. I have no new information to provide about GW2.

I pwnd U

I pwnd U

God of Spammers

Join Date: Oct 2005

in the middle of a burning cornfield...

Scars Meadows [SMS] (Officer)

Thanks for the heads up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra View Post
Not at this time. I have no new information to provide about GW2.
That is sad...

Daenara

Daenara

Bad Romance

Join Date: May 2006

Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Grand Matron

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clone View Post
Thanks Regina. Any idea on when any official GW2 info will be available?
They've answered this multiple times recently. The 'higher ups' have decided that they plan on announcing GW2 in one big splashy go, and aren't telling us squat at this time.

Now, repeat to self "GW2 is not vaporware, GW2 is not vaporware" .. and come stick your head in the sand with me.

Messy

Messy

huh?

Join Date: Jun 2005

Follow the rainbow, make a left and voila

Guildless

R/

Thanks Regina for the heads up. It amazes me that people still fall for scams that involve giving out your account information

BenjZee

BenjZee

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2006

The Overacheivers [Club]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clone View Post
Thanks Regina. Any idea on when any official GW2 info will be available?
lol one of those worth a shot things

To be honest alot of these things are kind of obvious, if it isn't announced on the site then its a blatent scam. Ones about account info make me laugh as Anet will never ask you for account information such as passwords. Even the Xunlai part of the site asks for a different password etc to keep things safe

jiggles

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2007

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra View Post
This is just a reminder that the place to find any information about a Guild Wars 2 beta (if and when it is available) is our official website.

That doesnt mean what i think it means? And thank you for the heads up.

snaek

snaek

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

N/

yay its regina again! ^__^

will we ever get to see a more casual side of regina?
or is that thing not allowed for anet community managers? o__o

Clone

Clone

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithyBen View Post
lol one of those worth a shot things
Exactly. Or, keep pestering them untill they give in and start living up to their previous promises of info they made for 2008

Lishy

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

Thanks for the heads up, Regina

It's horrible sites like these exist

MisterB

MisterB

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Oct 2005

Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy

[ban]

W/

Suckers.
There's one born every minute. Still, thanks for the heads up.

Regarding Regina's if and when statement, the sentence structure and grammar of that statement refers to whether and/or when a GW 2 beta is released or announced. Not to GW 2 specifically.

pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

lol, if players attempt to learn how to scam and hack Guild Wars, let them get scam in return.

Shayne Hawke

Shayne Hawke

Departed from Tyria

Join Date: May 2007

Clan Dethryche [dth]

R/

And so, we find out that Guild Wars 2 Beta doesn't exist.

No news is no news.

Sniper22

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra View Post
Not at this time. I have no new information to provide about GW2.
Ahhh =(. Maybe next year hahahah. Whatever I don't really mind, as long as the finished product is good.

VanDamselx

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Buffalo, NY

[TTBH]

Sigh.

12 freakin' characters. -__-

Bobulation

Bobulation

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2008

USA

W/Mo

Maybe they aren't doing a public beta, and thats all regina meant.

GG

Zodiac Meteor

Zodiac Meteor

Imma Firin Mah Rojway!

Join Date: Aug 2008

At the Mac Store laughing at people that walk out with anything.

E/Mo

Thanks for the info Regina. Don't hesitate on telling us more stuff.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

Maybe they looked at the beta of GW and how, in the end, it was a waste. They had to completely redo a lot of the game after release.

Thank you Regina, for the warning. Too bad that it will be mostly the young kids who get taken in and lose their accounts.

lilraceangel3

lilraceangel3

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Western Mass

Passionate Kiss of the cats [Kiss]

W/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobulation View Post
Maybe they aren't doing a public beta, and thats all regina meant.

GG
*crosses her fingers*

Songbringer

Songbringer

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2007

EastCoast

E/Me

Ummmm, ok they have been around since you first talked about gw's 2 and you are just now seeing them...then all I can say is wow. Look at youtube...alone they have a dozen or more videos claiming to get you to gw's 2 beta. Most even have the email adress they want you to send your info to. SO here yo go regina....go watch the video then search your player database for that email adress linked to an account and /banstick. As for the IF comment. Thanks for just stirring up 85000000 more threads abou omg now IF it comes out ever vaporware bs....

StormDragonZ

StormDragonZ

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

New York

W/R

I can see it now... GW2 Beta is really GW1 itself!

I've seen a few YouTube videos regarding "go to this site for more information on how you can be apart of the GW2 beta" to which you have to send someone your credit card number, username/password or whatever to gain access. Unfortunately, nearly all of them have gotten deleted, but thanks for the heads-up, Regina.

Aussie Boy

Aussie Boy

Alcoholic

Join Date: Mar 2007

Australia

W/

if

O.o one word to shatter my dreams right there.
Anyway people are starting to tire of no definite info about GW2
of cause there going to fall for scams like this (if there stupid that is )
give us something direct from the source and thats "updated" not info/tidbits from months or a year ago
and you wouldn't need to post scams and stuff to look out for.

Konig Des Todes

Konig Des Todes

Ooo, pretty flower

Join Date: Jan 2008

Citadel of the Decayed

The Archivists' Sanctum [Lore]

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra View Post
Not at this time. I have no new information to provide about GW2.
As predicted. But thank you for letting us know of the scam - although I never would bother with that.

I say let the devs take their time. The fewer bugs, more content, and better quality is better than a rushed game.

I know you all (or at least most of you) at Anet are wanting to give GW2 info out in "one big splash" - but do you think we can get just ONE thing so that all those "vaporware" info can just go away. It's getting very annoying.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Messy View Post
Thanks Regina for the heads up. It amazes me that people still fall for scams that involve giving out your account information
I know, it's really sad...

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxBat View Post
The mass of QQ over "if" is pretty hilarious.
It is.

I think Regina should clear that info will end up in GW2 as in it will release eventually - seeing how that is how people are taking it - and not the more likely, which is more long the lines of "if GW2 info is released soon." Not saying that's what is meant though.

Soopa

Soopa

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2008

Ljubljana/Slovenia

[WSC]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Messy View Post
Thanks Regina for the heads up. It amazes me that people still fall for scams that involve giving out your account information
You'd be suprised on what all people get scamed...

daze

daze

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2008

In my own mind

The Dragon Exchange

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra View Post
Not at this time. I have no new information to provide about GW2.
Maybe we are asking the wrong question. How about this:
"Hey Regina, at what date can we expect all the GW2 Beta scams become invalidated?"

BenjZee

BenjZee

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2006

The Overacheivers [Club]

Mo/

lookin at that statement im wandering how you guys will react if or when they actually do release the gw2 info

Arduin

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithyBen View Post
lookin at that statement im wandering how you guys will react if or when they actually do release the gw2 info
Deny the very existence of it of course

But we will patiently wait until Anet releases info about a possible Beta.

Sirds

Sirds

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2006

Riga

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by StormDragonZ View Post
I can see it now... GW2 Beta is really GW1 itself!
Bingo! /agree

and thanks Regina for warning.

Rocky Raccoon

Rocky Raccoon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

Massachusetts, USA

Guardians of the Cosmos

R/Mo

Just thinking that ANET knows how to pull all the right strings for you naysayers.

Damian979

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

It amazes me that anyone would agree to give all their account info to anyone for any reason but being in the dark makes some people desperate I guess. It just goes to show that there are people who would sell their soul for an inkling of new info on GW2 at this point. Even if it was simply an explanation of why they haven't released any new info.

Winterclaw

Winterclaw

Wark!!!

Join Date: May 2005

Florida

W/

I don't care about that if so much because the game is still vaporware in my mind. Plus it is just a legalese-type speech so I wouldn't read too much into it.

Fril Estelin

Fril Estelin

So Serious...

Join Date: Jan 2007

London

Nerfs Are [WHAK]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra
any information about a Guild Wars 2 beta (if and when it is available)
Am I too tired (very possible) or didn't Regina's "if" applies to "information" rather than the beta?

People, stop jumping on a word.

It's sad for those who got scammed, and statistically it's not only kids. Many people do not understand security (actually here it's "trust" not security), and those who do understand it do not understand the first category of people. Which means that the first category of people are not safe and the second category of people mock them, calling on stupidity and thus they're simply showing the limit of their understanding of a complex problem. The day when the second category of people understand this, scammers, phishers and other malicious people will loose their "job" (because these guys are professionals, not casuals).

isildorbiafra

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2007

The Netherlands

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithyBen View Post
lookin at that statement im wandering how you guys will react if or when they actually do release the gw2 info

We'll claim its a scam!

Sora267

Sora267

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by daze View Post
Maybe we are asking the wrong question. How about this:
"Hey Regina, at what date can we expect all the GW2 Beta scams become invalidated?"
They will be invalidated if and when the GW2 beta is announced.

daze

daze

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2008

In my own mind

The Dragon Exchange

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sora of the Divine View Post
They will be invalidated if and when the GW2 beta is announced.

That answer doesn't give a date, which my question specifically specifies.

Daenara

Daenara

Bad Romance

Join Date: May 2006

Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Grand Matron

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Risky Ranger View Post
Just thinking that ANET knows how to pull all the right strings for you naysayers.
Pretty sure Anet isn't trolling... or are they?

mrvrod

Guest01

Join Date: Jul 2006

I have to agree that kids aren't the only ones who might be hurt by this. There are many pc users of all ages who, while being competent at using a pc as a tool, just aren't as savvy as some who have been online since dialup bbses.

One poster said it perfectly when they said it's about 'trust'. I've never had to waste cpu cycles on an antivirus program because I don't even 'trust' attachments from people I know. People need to understand that this is the digital 'wild west', if it can be done, it WILL be done.

It's good to pass this type of info along and help those who might be less aware of internet pitfalls.

On a side note: I think it would be good to limit this thread's discussion to informing people how to protect themselves, and not on 'gw2 vaporware or no'. I'm not against that discussion (I've posted my thoughts as well in appropriate threads), I just feel this thread will be better served by informing others about internet safety and security, and avoiding scams.

Gun Pierson

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

People should know that a decent security involves:

- Anti-virus program (AVG or Avast is free to download)
- Anti-spyware (Spybot is also free to download and won an award)
- Firewall (windows defender + firewall is decent in Vista, yet Zone alarm is free to download if you're still using XP as xp's firewall can never be as good as vista's)
- use a maintenance kind of software like Windows Care Personal (won an award and also free to download, they just recently added a newer version but forgot the name duh and I'm too lazy to check it out now)

It helps if you know something about spam filters and how to replace or adjust the hosts file in system32\drivers\etc\

If you have a router, you can most likely hide your IP by entering the router's default ip (it's in the manual, the config screen of the router will pop up)

At last don't open suspicious male ofcourse and check the source. Some ISP's offer some extra security for a small fee. Mark unwanted mail as spam.

This is all Client based ofcourse and you as a home user don't have to worry that much about port based and application based firewall stuff.

If you have some more knowledge about servers etc, you can always install a firewall server on a spare computer and secure your network even more. (ISA or linux based).

GP,
System and network administrator

EDIT: If you use wireless, secure it properly so other's can't access it.

Daenara

Daenara

Bad Romance

Join Date: May 2006

Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Grand Matron

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrvrod View Post
On a side note: I think it would be good to limit this thread's discussion to informing people how to protect themselves, and not on 'gw2 vaporware or no'. I'm not against that discussion (I've posted my thoughts as well in appropriate threads), I just feel this thread will be better served by informing others about internet safety and security, and avoiding scams.
Well, to be honest, there isn't much to discuss about avoiding scams. It pretty much boils down to don't give your account information to anyone, don't download hacks and cheats, and.. that's it. The vaporware aspect of the thread is here because it's the flavour of the month at guru.