New Steam Login Beta Bodes a Wave of Account Thefts
An update to Steam's mobile app, which has been awaited for years, introduces new features to make users' lives easier. However, the developers have not taken into account a certain problem they are creating.
Steam mobile app offers users the ability to use the platform without access to a PC, but its form has left much to be desired over the years. The aged interface and functionality problems have so far made it a kind of relic of the past. That's all about to change. However, the company's promises are causing concern.
What will we find in the new edition of Steam app?
As reported by Valve in yesterday's post, Steam's new mobile app is now available in Beta version for all Android device users and the first 10,000 eager users using Apple devices.
The app is expected to offer existing features like store browsing and Steam Guard two-step login authentication assistance, as well as novelties in the form of smart notifications, a streamlined library or the ability to log in to multiple accounts simultaneously..
However, this is only an early version, which will evolve based on the reception of testers.
"User feedback helps us test our assumptions and find out what you like and don't like, as well as find things that need fixing," Valve stressed in the statement.
The official release date of the final update is not yet known.
Internet reception and concerns so far
The revamped app has already received numerous vastly different reviews - including on Reddit. The biggest doubt is the new feature of logging in with a QR code, which, according to Internet users, is potentially dangerous and violates users' privacy.
"The QR code is gonna be a big scam method im certain. Be weary of anyone asking you to scan a QR code with steam app. The same system was exploited on Discord to steal accounts. It's meant to work by you scanning the QR with Steam Guard mobile app (where you are already logged in), which authorizes the login on a PC. If someone generates the QR by opening the login prompt, they can trick you into scanning it, which in turn will log them into your steam account.," warns Reddit user.
It seems hard for everyone to fall victim to such an attempt at account theft, but user TheCheesy describes the very likely course of such a case:
"In before "Hey man I don't want this game. You want it?" *Posts a picture of QR with a message above* Scan QR Code with steam app to Claim: Elden Ring. A scan later and they have their entire account."
In addition to opening up potential opportunities for scammers, user JoaoMXN sees a cleverly hidden way for Valve to use it for its own benefit:
"One neat thing about it is that with this new version, Steam is apparently targeting those people that migrated their accounts to Turkey/Argentina to pay cheaper prices on games."
However, this doesn't change the fact that the new app has received a positive reception from many users. They believe the interface is clearer, and the various functions are easier to find.
It's an update that should have happened years ago, but only the end of beta testing will show whether the new approach to app design will result in more gains or losses for individual users.
