#6 - June 12, 2010, 5:14 p.m.
Q u o t e:
This means that you never found the original source of your compromise. Since you have been recompromised, you already know the drill on how to get your account back. You really need to find the source or the hackers will just keep coming back.
This is a very good assessment. Based on your description of events, Irishstalker, it sounds as though your account may have been compromised again and, as a result, are now unable to access your account due to the addition unauthorized Authenticator.
I know this must be incredibly frustrating for you, and for that I sincerely apologize. It's very important that the source of your account's compromise be found, however—perhaps even before you attempt to remove the unauthorized Authenticator—so as to prevent situations like this from reoccurring indefinitely.
On that note, here is a step-by-step guide that will walk you through almost every element of account security:
The rundown is fairly simple, actually:
- Ensure that your operating system, browser, browser AddOns (including Adobe Flash, which recently fell victim to a critical vulnerability: ), and scanning software are up-to-date.
- Once all updates are completed, run several anti-malware programs with the WoW client open and alphanumeric gibberish typed into each of the account name and password entry fields. Please do not run only a single anti-virus program; run both an anti-virus and an anti-spyware program, as individual programs may miss certain threats installed on your system. Do not run these programs simultaneously, though, as this may cause complications (including false positives).
- After you've regained access to your account, update your registered email address. In fact, create a new email address and make sure the username and password for it are unique. This means you will want to avoid using a username and/or password that you already use or have used online before (e.g. WoW character names, forum handles, instant message screennames, etc — don't use these). Once this address is registered to your Battle.net account, do not use it for any other service.
There's additional advice, too, so I encourage you to please read over the guide in its entirety.
Now, with respect to the unauthorized Authenticator currently associated with your account, we can assist with its removal through multiple points of contact:
Please note that each of these contacts may not yield an immediate response. We understand that being locked out of your account is frustrating, though, so our representatives will do all that they can to assist you as quickly as possible. :)