GDC11: Valve’s new Steam security

Valve has unveiled a new Steam and Steamworks security feature called Steam Guard, which the company says offers it’s platform users greatly increased account security.

The new feature offers the ability to link account management to a specific PC, making attempts to change account settings from different PCs impossible without the user’s approval.

Users will also be informed if attempts to access or modify account settings have been made from non-authorised computers.

Steam Guard will also be available to third parties to incorporate into other applications through Steamworks.

"Account phishing and hijacking are our number 1 support issues," said Valve president Gabe Newell.

"With Intel’s IPT and Steam Guard, we’ve taken a big step towards giving customers the account security they need as they purchase more and more digital goods."

Valve’s VP of marketing Doug Lombardi pointed out the consumer desire for security when taking advantage of Steam services.

"We expect to see widespread adoption of hardware-based security like Intel IPT by other service providers," he said.

"If as a customer you are buying movies, music, games, or digital goods, you want to know that they are more secure than your physical goods."

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