Matrix Games Forums

Can the PBEM file be password hacked?
I read a thread that it was done.
If so, the total concept of PBEM is dead.

Michael has the capability to recover lost PBEM passwords if he's convinced the person asking is legit. I knew how to do it at one time, but the only way I know it can be done is by a developer with the source code and there are only a few of us with that. If someone else has cracked the PBEM password, I'd be surprised as it was deliberately made difficult to crack, though anything can be cracked if you throw enough computing power at it and know what you're doing.

Even if I could remember how to do it, I would refer anyone asking to Michael.

Bill

tm.asp?m=3933645

look at this post

Fortunately, I believe 99.9% percent of us have no interest in our opponents password. We are gamers and history buffs, not pols. LOL.

That is a completely different game. PacWar is a very old game.

Bill, can I start a rumor?

not interested in hacking, I am not a computer nerd, but I just want to know if the files are indeed safe.

We spend many years in a PBEM game, so if it can be hacked, that would really upset the PBEM game for me

ORIGINAL: Marshall

not interested in hacking, I am not a computer nerd, but I just want to know if the files are indeed safe.

We spend many years in a PBEM game, so if it can be hacked, that would really upset the PBEM game for me

A lot of us go farther than simply to trust the files are safe. We broadcast our setup, strategy and plans in an AAR that the opponent has complete access to check anytime they would want to without any hacking needed.

For those of us who have written AARS it's always a possibility that someone can have a look, or even that another player can inadvertently cross-polinate the AARs if reading both sides, but I believe we also trust the honor of our opponents and the community enough to discount our fears.

Not worth a reply.

+1

ORIGINAL: Marshall

Can the PBEM file be password hacked?
I read a thread that it was done.
If so, the total concept of PBEM is dead.

Yes, almost any digital file can be hacked.
I have never heard of anyone doing so, but it is possible.
PBEM is very much alive.

Again, the game that the thread you are referring to
was written about 1992 and security was lacking a lot.
If I remember right, the original PacWar was not even
designed for PBEM, it was added on by customers.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Not worth a reply.

+1

ORIGINAL: Marshall

Can the PBEM file be password hacked?
I read a thread that it was done.
If so, the total concept of PBEM is dead.

If you are really worried about your opponent "hacking" your PBEM in a game as complex as this, and cheating in games against you, then I don't know what to say other than, why haven't AARs killed PBEM?

There are easier ways to cheat, and most people involved in long PBEMs of a game with this complexity, and I dare say just people in this community, do not want to cheat and will go out of their way to not learn anything about what their opponents are planning.

Not worth a reply?

The moral high ground to which you aspired can turn into a slippery slope

Also, in this case it appears someone brute forced a single character PBEM password. That's got nothing to do with the security of the password system, and everything to do with someone using a one character password.

ORIGINAL: Marshall

not interested in hacking, I am not a computer nerd, but I just want to know if the files are indeed safe.

We spend many years in a PBEM game, so if it can be hacked, that would really upset the PBEM game for me

Why would your opponent who's also invested that time ruin it for himself by doing that? I've never run into anyone like that here. Don't play any Russians or Chinese if you're worried about it. I could see Anonymous hacking us and exposing us all. [X(][:'(]

There's no moral high ground, it's a game.

Oh, and there's Wikileaks. I'm sure they would stop at nothing to expose our evil secrets. [;)]

The only reason I'd worry about my opponent hacking my password is if I were cheating and he caught me. Anyways my PW is in gornish, it's unbreakable.

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