Authenticators back in stock at the Blizzard store
by Mike Schramm 
Aug 5th 2009 at 9:00AM
Good news for those of you who haven't yet been able to grab an authenticator -- the units are back in stock at the Blizzard store (for both the US and Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America, with the EU version available over on their store). The price remains a cheap $6.00, and this latest version features art from Starcraft II.
Which, now that I think about it, pretty much confirms that it will work not only with World of Warcraft, but all Blizzard games going forward. Obviously, with Starcraft II not even in beta yet, hackers and scammers aren't exactly targeting it, but Blizzard is thinking ahead, so if you don't have the tech yet, now's your chance to pick it up (at least until they run out of stock again).
And don't forget -- if you don't have an authenticator yet, but do have a compatible mobile phone, you can always pick up the Mobile Authenticator. Especially if you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, free is the way to go.
Which, now that I think about it, pretty much confirms that it will work not only with World of Warcraft, but all Blizzard games going forward. Obviously, with Starcraft II not even in beta yet, hackers and scammers aren't exactly targeting it, but Blizzard is thinking ahead, so if you don't have the tech yet, now's your chance to pick it up (at least until they run out of stock again).
And don't forget -- if you don't have an authenticator yet, but do have a compatible mobile phone, you can always pick up the Mobile Authenticator. Especially if you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, free is the way to go.
Filed under: Odds and ends, Blizzard, Hardware, Account Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
richard.ashton Aug 5th 2009 9:18AM
I wish you could use the original and the phone one for extra security (2 different codes).
Nix Aug 5th 2009 9:19AM
The authenticator is a great idea but it is not fair that it is not shipped to Malta.
The Maltese Wow community may not be as large as other countries but we still pay Eur 13 monthly.
Other services like recruit a friend are also unavailable ... /sigh.
Rugus Aug 5th 2009 9:39AM
You pay 13 eur but Blizzard has to respect legal agreements with all the countries. In some cases it seems they cannot do specific promotions (such as RAF) because some countries just do not give the "ok".
Nix Aug 5th 2009 9:42AM
My country has always given the OK to everything ... I think Blizz did not bother asking.
(I live in a country where the drinking age is 17. If you are swedish you would know) :P
Kugala Aug 5th 2009 10:51AM
Though I don't know for sure in this particular case, any encryption technology has to be approved for export to each country. Thus, Malta is probably small enough that Blizzard hasn't submitted for export approval there, or for some reason the controlling agency (State, DoD, NSA, etc) hasn't approved it.
Rioriel Aug 5th 2009 9:29AM
I urge anyone to pick one up and help secure your account! Of course, do what you can in protecting your PC by using security software, scan regularly, etc. and don't click on any sex legs.
dawnseven Aug 5th 2009 9:38AM
Bless you guys for the head's up!
Naix Aug 5th 2009 9:40AM
Got 1 this time.
Sakirsha Aug 5th 2009 9:56AM
A pity you can't use the same non-prepaid-card payment methods as you can with paying the WoW subscription.
Tri Aug 5th 2009 10:07AM
I bought an authenticator a while back, and I can only recommend it.
Feels nice to be just a bit more secure - after several years of playing WoW, you just don't want to start over...
Rich Aug 5th 2009 10:28AM
They don't take Paypal. Bummer :(
Zvi Aug 5th 2009 10:37AM
They ask for 60Euro to send it to Israel.
Bummer :(
Naix Aug 5th 2009 10:34AM
"Obviously, with Starcraft II not even in beta yet, "
Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on a second there. I have friends playing the starcraft 2 beta right now. So SC2 is about to go gold very soon.
Fausts Aug 5th 2009 11:28AM
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, somewhere in some third world country a dimly lit room full of kids sit at under powered computers to farm gold and make hijacking attempts on your account.
That's why I have an authenticator.
Picviewer Aug 6th 2009 1:31AM
Really? So you give out your useraccount on public sites so they have a starting point? Hate to break it to you all the clusters of cpu's and gpu's that can crunch code won't know jacksquat where to start if they don't know your user account.
Authkeys are just for the braindeads who go around giving out their account info anyways. The most powerful computer is the one sitting between a persons ears, too bad many don't understand that.
I'm sorry I forgot I'm dealing with the AOL/Apple started the internet generation who are morons to begin with. Go on get a auth key then.
Fausts Aug 6th 2009 3:35PM
@Picviewer
It's surprising the number of mean drunks that post at 2am.
Anonymous Coward Aug 5th 2009 11:33AM
Thanks for the heads up - I just went and bought mine just now after seeing this post.
The price is now $6.50, though.
Rwrath Aug 5th 2009 11:47AM
Just finished buying one at 10:45 cst and they are still in stock.
armorzorc Aug 5th 2009 12:20PM
Does anyone else not like the new look? I want on with wow stuff on it.
mckaysalisbury Aug 5th 2009 12:39PM
The old one had some WoW stuff on it. I like that they change up the design. Gives everyone something to work with.