Well This Is Odd...

[Silivren]

So I just started WoW again yesterday... My account had an authenticator and last night it asked for me to use it when I logged in.. Except this morning I wake up, log in and..go straight to my character screen without having to put in a code??? I checked my account and the authenticator is still active and tied to my account? I will probably contact Blizzard soon but its strange..is anyone else having this problem? All of my characters are safe however and I have all of my gold/stuff still.

[CrystalKitten]

Check the blizzard posts, they changed it so that it can apparently identify which computer you're using, and won't ask if you're always using the same one. I personally don't like it... but... Not much I can do. It does still seem to randomly ask, unless something it uses to identify computers is something that varies.

[Silivren]

Check the blizzard posts, they changed it so that it can apparently identify which computer you're using, and won't ask if you're always using the same one. I personally don't like it... but... Not much I can do. It does still seem to randomly ask, unless something it uses to identify computers is something that varies.

Oh thank the lord you just gave me a big sigh of relief. I didnt know they did this but now that you mention it, it makes sense!

[Acherontia]

If your IP changes, it will ask for it again. Mine changes once per day upon router reset, so I need to input my number once per day.

I do worry that it will make it easier to "hack," but at the same time, the Authenticator (mine isn't the phone one) should last longer this way

I DO find it odd that it only just started doing this for you, though; the change went through a few weeks ago iirc.

[Gimlion]

Acherontia, the OP stated he just started WoW again yesterday, thus it's likely he'd input it once after reinstating his account, and it recognized the IP the second login.

[Sukurachi]

the game asks for Authenticator number regardless of whether your IP has changed. It WILL do so at apparently random intervals, even when your IP does not change.

I've been testing my IP daily since shortly before this change went into effect (I was having trouble with the Authenticator not recognizing my computer, and my IP WAS changing multiple times a day at the time - lots of power outages in the area).

As far as I can tell, my IP has not changed in weeks now. Yet I get asked approximately once a week for the Authenticator number, and even then, not on all three of my accounts, nor on both of my computers.

[Royi]

If your IP changes, it will ask for it again. Mine changes once per day upon router reset, so I need to input my number once per day.

I do worry that it will make it easier to "hack," but at the same time, the Authenticator (mine isn't the phone one) should last longer this way

I DO find it odd that it only just started doing this for you, though; the change went through a few weeks ago iirc.

random question, is it good to reset your router often? tbh i think i reset it twice a year...

[Worba]

the game asks for Authenticator number regardless of whether your IP has changed. It WILL do so at apparently random intervals, even when your IP does not change.

I've been testing my IP daily since shortly before this change went into effect (I was having trouble with the Authenticator not recognizing my computer, and my IP WAS changing multiple times a day at the time - lots of power outages in the area).

As far as I can tell, my IP has not changed in weeks now. Yet I get asked approximately once a week for the Authenticator number, and even then, not on all three of my accounts, nor on both of my computers.

Hopefully those aren't hack attempts...

[Gimlion]

Well, I think the Authenticator will still occasionally ask for the numbers, so this may be normal. Especially considering she has 3 accounts and 2 computers (although, if they share IPs, like a home network, that shouldn't cause a problem.). It may just be coincident that she gets asked once a week, especially since she has 5 variables (the accounts and computers). Each time one logs in, if it recognizes the IP, it has a chance to still ask for a code, 3 accounts triples the chances, and 2 computers certain increases that number as well, so it's likely due to simple math.

It seems odd, because you are expecting more random intervals, and are taking into account all 5 variables as one check, when you should look at each account and computer separately. If you do that, you *should* find that it's much larger, random intervals than you actually think.

[Acherontia]

If your IP changes, it will ask for it again. Mine changes once per day upon router reset, so I need to input my number once per day.

I do worry that it will make it easier to "hack," but at the same time, the Authenticator (mine isn't the phone one) should last longer this way

I DO find it odd that it only just started doing this for you, though; the change went through a few weeks ago iirc.

random question, is it good to reset your router often? tbh i think i reset it twice a year...

Mine resets automatically every day at a certain time, as my IP changes daily

And @ Gimlion--I musta missed the bit about just restarting WoW... or my brain wasn't working. My bad

[Gimlion]

No problem. I do the same type of thing all the time. Was just pointing it out for you.

[Silivren]

Thanks all, I feel a lot better but Gim.. I'm a lady lol

[Sukurachi]

the authenticator does not ONLY function based on the IP of the computer from which you are running WoW.
it also bases part of its encryption on the actual computer ID.

I have three computers, each of which can access any of my three accounts.

All are at the same IP address.

If I start WoW on "computer 1", exit and restart, it will not ask for authenticator.

However, if I start on "computer 2" it will once again ask for authenticator number.

And the same with "computer 3".

HOWEVER, once I've started all of my WoW accounts on all three computer, it will not ask for the authenticator again for a while - generally, around a week or if there is a blackout and my ISP resets their IP addresses (generally speaking, a blackout at my home will NOT generate a new IP from my router).

[AdamSavage]

It's probably recognizing your computers Mac address and IP address as well.

[Gimlion]

Thanks all, I feel a lot better but Gim.. I'm a lady lol

Fix'd my post for you. xD

[Silivren]

Thanks all, I feel a lot better but Gim.. I'm a lady lol

Fix'd my post for you. xD

- Thanks!

[CrystalKitten]

It's probably recognizing your computers Mac address and IP address as well.

I think Blizz has said they use many mechanics to help determine if you're using the same computer or not. They've, wisely, chosen not to mention how that is done.

All I know is that almost randomly I get asked for my authenticator code. My internet/modem seems to cut in and out.. but it doesn't ALWAYS ask for one after it goes down (usually once a day, usually early morning, not sure why). And yet it will sometimes ask for one in the middle of a run...

[Klakk]

random question, is it good to reset your router often? tbh i think i reset it twice a year...

You need to reset your router only when it stops working, or when doing so on a schedule prevents your internet from cutting out at highly inconvenient times.

Otherwise, leave it on. There are a large number of enterprise models that are up for years straight, and even then are only rebooted for a firmware update. Home models are less robust, and have a tendency to flake out at least once every three to six months.

[Boven]

It's probably recognizing your computers Mac address and IP address as well.

I think Blizz has said they use many mechanics to help determine if you're using the same computer or not. They've, wisely, chosen not to mention how that is done.

All I know is that almost randomly I get asked for my authenticator code. My internet/modem seems to cut in and out.. but it doesn't ALWAYS ask for one after it goes down (usually once a day, usually early morning, not sure why). And yet it will sometimes ask for one in the middle of a run...

The prompt does seem to appear at some time interval even on the same computer. Whether that's a fixed amount of time or random, I dunno. Since the new system has been in place, I think I've been prompted for an authenticator code twice. Once when I logged on via a different machine (that was sitting on the desk next to my main gaming machine) and once just randomly.

I seem to recall a mention somewhere, whether on the official forums or WoW Insider or elsewhere, that Blizz was considering making the current authenticator request an optional setting. That would let folks who wanted to to be prompted every time. That could just be someone's wishful thinking, though.