The Dangers of Sharing Accounts

http://maplestory.nexon.net/WZ.ASPX?PART...ntNo=006Fq

One of the toughest things we deal with as MapleStory GMs is bad situations that come up not because someone is deliberately doing something wrong, but because they do something without thinking through the consequences. Take account sharing. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like sharing your account should be dangerous. A friend would like to take your account for a “test drive” before joining the game or wants to check out your cool new gear in combat. You trust this person, so what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. The cold reality is that many of the biggest disasters that arise from account sharing come about even though nobody actually meant for something bad to happen.

Account sharing vastly increases the chance that your account may be hacked. It isn’t that the person you’re sharing it with will do it deliberately, but once they have your information, they may use it to log in on a machine that’s been compromised by hackers. Once your account information is out there, there’s nothing to prevent it from being shared again. You may trust certain members of your guild, but what if they pass your information along to a “trusted” guild member who’s not so trustworthy? Such a chain reaction leaves your account open to countless abuses.

Ultimately you are responsible for everything that happens on your account. Allowing a friend to use your account who’s unfamiliar with the Terms of Use or MapleStory’s Code of Conduct may result in your account being suspended or banned because of actions taken by a friend under your name. They may also be unfamiliar with the scammers and identity thieves that infest the Internet. While they certainly don’t mean to compromise your security, if they get taken in by someone while using your account, it’s your information they’re giving away, not theirs.

It’s always important for you as a player to be aware of what’s going on with your account and your information. Inform yourself about good Web practices, educate yourself about the ways in which hackers and scammers go about stealing your information (things like “phishing,” “keylogging,” and “social engineering). Create strong passwords and update them every three months. Nexon has just initiated a "Password Update Campaign to help players strengthen their account’s safety and in the coming weeks we will be releasing more tools to help safeguard your precious information.

Nothing though, is as secure as a well-informed player. When it comes to account sharing, if a friend wants to try out the game, direct them here and have them sign up for a free account. Teach your friends why account sharing is a bad idea and always remember that no MapleStory GM or employee of Nexon will ever ask for your password or personal information. Play safe and Happy Mapling!

No comment