Officer Ward

Officer Ward
Cyber Defender & Detention Center Security Officer

Officer Ward believes that most people who disrespect the privelages of Cyberspace are more ignorant than criminal, and that most cyber criminals can be rehabilitated into faithful cyber citizens through education about the dangers of delinquency in Cyberspace.

Working closely with Commander Omni and the Cyber Defense Academy, Officer Ward hopes to secure Cyberspace for everyone.

Favorite Quote:

It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do
- John Baptiste Moliere

Favorite Food:

Cupcakes

Interests:

Coaching softball, fishing, catching cyber criminals

September 29 2008

Cyber Crimes: Cheating in Online Games

When many people can access a place online, like an online game, inevitably it will attract some people who don't want to play by the rules. Cheating exists in just about every online multiplayer game. Unfortunately, there are many different ways to do it and it can be difficult to prove. Cheating methods include:

  • Using hacking software to modify the game or give a player an unfair advantage over other players
  • Disconnecting the computer from the Internet when a player has lost in order to prevent the loss from being recorded on the game server
  • Farming or buying farmed items
  • Exploiting or taking advantage of a bug in the game that gives the player abilities they would not normally have

Game companies use anti-cheating software. They also have Game Moderators, characters in the game who are controlled by people working for the game company, who closely monitor players and watch for cheating. Players can also report game bugs and cheaters to the Game Moderators, so they can take care of the problem. Bugs or game design flaws that players can exploit are usually fixed with a game software patch.

Most games have a Terms of Use or an End User License Agreement (EULA) that every player must accept in order to play the game. These spell out the game rules, especially what is considered cheating and what the punishment is for it. Many online games will ban your account for cheating. They can even ban your installation or serial number so you can no longer use the software. Be sure to read through the Terms of Use or EULA carefully before playing any online game.

posted by Officer Ward
topic: Cyber Crimes

September 15 2008

Cyber Criminals: Gold Farmers

Many online games, especially the multiplayer ones, have some form of money built into them. You usually have to earn the money by performing tasks and completing games, and you can use it to buy cool items or upgrades for your avatar or room. Unfortunately there are some very lazy people out there who would rather just illegally buy their game money instead of earning it the way you are supposed to.

Web sites exist where you can pay real money to buy game money, but doing so is cheating. It also throws off the money system in the game. The people that run these Web sites have rooms of workers, called Gold Farmers, playing the game and doing the same repetitive tasks over and over again to earn game money to sell online. The workers are usually treated horribly and make very little money, sometimes working 12 hours a day for as little as a few pennies an hour.

Using real money to buy game money violates the official rules and Terms of Use for the game. It can get you banned if you are caught! But what's worse is that you are supporting these companies that are making money illegally and abusing the people that work for them.

posted by Officer Ward
topic: Cyber Criminals