PC version of the Authenticator

#3 - May 4, 2010, 9:38 p.m.

Q u o t e:
Q u o t e:
I know that you can either buy the key chain version or download the app to your i Phone. But are there plans to make it a down loadable app for a PC or Mac?



It is unlikely that such a version of the authenticator will be released for the reasons outlined in the Mobile Authenticator FAQ with regards to the running the Mobile Authenticator on PC emulation software;

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=26109

Q u o t e:

Is it safe to use an authenticator other than an official Blizzard Entertainment authenticator?

Using a third-party authenticator, such as an authenticator application that runs on a PC, is potentially unsafe because the application exists on the same platform as the game client and your login information may be intercepted without your knowledge.

For similar reasons, using the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator on a mobile device that has been modified in a way commonly referred to as "jailbroken" or "rooted" may also increase your risk of account compromise.

Because of this, you should use only an official Battle.net Authenticator or Battle.net Mobile Authenticator (for a list of supported platforms, click here) to protect your Battle.net account. For more information, please refer to our Account Security Awareness website.



The primary concerns appears to that if your computer is compromised by keylogger or other trojan, then access to your authenticator would also be compromised. Physical key-fob style authenticators and mobile authenticators give you distinctly separate device which keeps you protected from this.

love,
shmoo