News 5 3 - Account security information

NEWS article 5-3:

Dateline 1/2/2002: ACCOUNT SECURITY INFORMATION

General things to remember about your account's security:

1) Simutronics will never solicit player help in testing web sites, security systems, or new software. We do all this testing first in-house, then with GMs, and then sometimes Hosts. We will not release anything to the players that we have not fully tested already on our own and when we DO release new features, we will do so from our OWN pages, with a link on our front page.

2) Simutronics will never contact a player through Instant Messages, ICQ, or other out-of-game "chat" formats. No one on staff will ever contact you for official purposes outside of the game. We do not handle Feedback issues, Billing issues, or Access issues through IMs or any other form of "instant message" application.

3) The above two statements apply to GameMasters as well as in-house staff.

4) Never follow URL links provided to you through IMs or email. These links can be easily spoofed, so always enter the address into your web browser manually if you feel you must go to the advertised location. Simutronics will not have a "test page" using any other companies web page like Xoom, Geocities, or any ISP that offers web pages to it's members. If we DO send you a link, play it safe and always type the link in manually so you know you are going to the right page.

5) Email headers and addresses can also be spoofed. Keep the above guidelines in mind if you receive unsolicited emails claiming to be from Simutronics.

6) Never share access to your account with others. You are still responsible for their actions. Please familiarize yourself with NEWS 5 1 in DragonRealms.

7) Change your password regularly and make sure the password includes a mix of numbers and letters. The password should be at least 8 characters in length. Do not use your character name, account name, or guild name as a password. "Truck" is not a good password, but "tr87u23ck" is an excellent modification that will make this password MUCH more secure.

8) Never put your credit card information on another person's account - you will become responsible for their problems if you do. If you wish to pay for someone else's account, use Gifts of Adventure.

Regards,

DragonRealms Feedback Department

END NEWS ITEM