Special Task Force Report (10/24/2007)

[falseliberty]

Special Task Force Report (10/24/2007)

Today's report will outline our actions conducted from September 26, 2007 to October 24, 2007 in dealing with players violating the user agreement, as well as details on the activities, results, and goals of the Special Task Force.

Click here for details on the Special Task Force's activities in dealing with players violating the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement.

Special Task Force activities and future plans

The number of characters engaged in illegal gil collecting, such as hunters (*1) and characters involved in the use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions, has been significantly reduced as a result of our activities, but we have recently discovered a new kind of illegal activity that uses third-party programs against NPCs in Southern San d'Oria and The Pit. As was mentioned in the previous report, characters involved with large-scale gil collecting for the purpose of RMT (*2) are having a lot of trouble. It can be presumed that characters involved in direct illegal actions through the above method have appeared as a side effect.
The other day, we introduced some counter-measures through emergency maintenance, but if the same problem occurs again in the future, we will respond swiftly with both edits to the game system and activities against user agreement violators.

The following are the results of our actions from September 26, 2006 to October 24, 2007.

- Cheats to automatically repeat particular actions (specifically illegal fishing)
A total of 3070 accounts were banned within the space of a month.
The steady progress is proceeding slowly, but the characters in question are continuing to decrease as a result of our activities up until now. We are planning on strengthening our activities in dealing with this situation.

- Hunters
As a result of the strengthening of our activities in the Buburimu Peninsula last month, we have seen great results, and the problem of characters continuously defeating the same monsters over and over in the same area for RMT gil collection has significantly improved. We are planning on expanding the scope of our activities into new areas and we appreciate any information FINAL FANTASY XI players can provide.

- Use of synthesis and auction houses for RMT (*3)
A total of 880 accounts were banned within the space of a month.
As a result of new methods of dealing with such characters, we are not simply pursuing characters engaged in synthesis and auction houses for RMT, but we are now capable of expanding our activities to characters who are engaged in the collection of materials for RMT.

*1. Hunters
Characters who kill Notorious Monsters, clear quests, and obtain items over and over again with the sole purpose of gathering gil, which is then handed off to RMT groups.

*2. RMT
"Real Money Trading." Selling game data for real money.

*3. Use of synthesis and auction houses for RMT
Actions involving selling large quantities of in-game items for gil, which is then traded for real money.

Matters of concern within the community

In the following section, we will be explaining the Special Task Force's direction and plans in dealing with matters of concern within the community.

- It seems that the Special Task Force is dealing with sellers engaged in RMT quite severely, but I believe that the buyers should also be severely dealt with. Instead of just warning them, shouldn't you ban their accounts or confiscate their gil and items?
We might temporarily have results in dealing with the RMT problem by confiscating buyers' gil and items, but we cannot perform biased activities such as targeting only gil buyers.
The Special Task Force views both gil buying and gil selling as violations of the user agreement and has taken a policy of dealing out penalties to each violator according to the severity of the violation.
All penalties for each account remain on record, are accumulated, and if a player repeats a violation of the user agreement, a stricter penalty will be dealt out than the previous one on record. Of course, depending on the details of the violation, there are players who are banned on their first violation.
In accordance with this policy, a total of 450 accounts were temporarily suspended or banned within the space of a month for illegal gil purchasing.

- Lately damages caused by unauthorized access have been on the rise. What should I do?
Systematic measures were introduced at the beginning of October to improve security against unauthorized access to PlayOnline from third parties, but recently suspicious URLs have been posted on bulletin boards and forums on community sites. It has been reported that, by clicking on these URLs, one's PlayOnline ID and password may be stolen.
Along with diligently managing your PlayOnline ID and password, we would appreciate it if all players would read the information about spyware included at the end of this report.

Reporting to the Special Task Force

The Special Task Force relies on everyone's information regarding violations of the user agreement to help keep FINAL FANTASY XI an enjoyable environment, and we appreciate your continuing support and cooperation.
Report to Special Task Force

Warning about unauthorized access through spyware

Recently, there has been an increase in damages caused by unknown third-party access to PlayOnline accounts where items and gil are lost, and characters are deleted.
As many of you may be aware, harmful programs known as viruses and spyware are common on the internet and, depending on the kind of program, your computer could become infected by simply viewing a website. Viruses and spyware are believed to be one of the primary causes of recent unauthorized access to PlayOnline.
The following are a few countermeasures in protecting against such harmful programs.

- Do not access websites with unknown or suspicious content.
- Do not download software from unknown or suspicious websites.
- Periodically perform Windows Updates and keep Windows updated to the latest version.
*Refer to Microsoft's official website for more detailed information.
- Periodically update your web browser to the latest version.
- Do not use external tools not approved by Square Enix under any circumstances.
- Always use the latest antivirus software.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in your diligent management of your PlayOnline account.


please delete or lock if this has already been posted

[Geostigma]

I wish SE always had a special task force in place. They always seem to wait to fix things until its forced on them.

[SephYuyX]

Copy the actual details next time :x

Based on the results of our investigation, around 6,750 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 1,150 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

- Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
October 4, Approx. 380 cases
October 12, Approx. 360 cases
October 22, Approx. 240 cases

- Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
October 24, Approx. 50 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
September 28, Approx. 720 cases
October 4, Approx. 760 cases
October 11, Approx. 790 cases
October 18, Approx. 800 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
October 5, Approx. 300 cases
October 12, Approx. 120 cases
October 24, Approx. 410 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
Spetember 28, Approx. 900 cases
October 18, Approx. 1,100 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
October 24, Approx. 880 cases

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
October 24, Approx. 90 cases

[Remyo]

Copy the actual details next time

Based on the results of our investigation, around 6,750 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 1,150 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

- Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
October 4, Approx. 380 cases
October 12, Approx. 360 cases
October 22, Approx. 240 cases

- Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
October 24, Approx. 50 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
September 28, Approx. 720 cases
October 4, Approx. 760 cases
October 11, Approx. 790 cases
October 18, Approx. 800 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
October 5, Approx. 300 cases
October 12, Approx. 120 cases
October 24, Approx. 410 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
Spetember 28, Approx. 900 cases
October 18, Approx. 1,100 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
October 24, Approx. 880 cases

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
October 24, Approx. 90 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2.3 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding

[Izzy]

Did they say how much gil they removed?

[Xanthe]

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2.3 billion gil from circulation.

[Plow]

Dear SE:

Please do something to make black sole (as well as other sushi fish) more readily available, or make the synths create more food items. It's bad enough that you're forced to knowingly buy rice directly from rmt via the AH when you run out of the retardedly bad returns from gardening, if all the fish disappear from the market we're all going to be screwed completely.

Nobody wants 100k stacks of sushi, please make sure it doesn't happen.

[DAKPluto]

not an issue on Cerberus http://www.ffxiah.com/item.php?id=4384&stack=1&sid=23

And 58 stacks is actually quite low from our normal.

[Plow]

not an issue on Cerberus http://www.ffxiah.com/item.php?id=4384&stack=1&sid=23

And 58 stacks is actually quite low from our normal.

Now compare that to Dil, which are used in same recipes but are much more difficult if not impossible for the rmt to mass bot--

http://www.ffxiah.com/item.php?id=5457&stack=1&sid=23

[Oxx]

black sole is already tanked on cerberus thx

[LinktheDeme]

- Lately damages caused by unauthorized access have been on the rise. What should I do?
Systematic measures were introduced at the beginning of October to improve security against unauthorized access to PlayOnline from third parties, but recently suspicious URLs have been posted on bulletin boards and forums on community sites. It has been reported that, by clicking on these URLs, one's PlayOnline ID and password may be stolen.
Along with diligently managing your PlayOnline ID and password, we would appreciate it if all players would read the information about spyware included at the end of this report.

Reporting to the Special Task Force

The Special Task Force relies on everyone's information regarding violations of the user agreement to help keep FINAL FANTASY XI an enjoyable environment, and we appreciate your continuing support and cooperation.
Report to Special Task Force

Warning about unauthorized access through spyware

Recently, there has been an increase in damages caused by unknown third-party access to PlayOnline accounts where items and gil are lost, and characters are deleted.
As many of you may be aware, harmful programs known as viruses and spyware are common on the internet and, depending on the kind of program, your computer could become infected by simply viewing a website. Viruses and spyware are believed to be one of the primary causes of recent unauthorized access to PlayOnline.
The following are a few countermeasures in protecting against such harmful programs.

- Do not access websites with unknown or suspicious content.
- Do not download software from unknown or suspicious websites.
- Periodically perform Windows Updates and keep Windows updated to the latest version.
*Refer to Microsoft's official website for more detailed information.
- Periodically update your web browser to the latest version.
- Do not use external tools not approved by Square Enix under any circumstances.
- Always use the latest antivirus software.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in your diligent management of your PlayOnline account.

Because clearly FList + getting hacked is a result of us not updating windows or clicking links. Fuck you SE for falsely representing what someone asked you.

[Plow]

Point I'm really making is that 99% of sushi comes from these bots that are getting banned, and it's lame all around. If they do succeed in getting rid of the bots, they'll have to do something about the resulting fish shortage. Just trying to get that point across before we end up with a situation where everyone is going "wtf is up with these 100k stacks of sushi" as 3 people a day fish a few stacks a day because all the bots are gone and fishing sucks ass.

[Oxx]

god i would love a shortage bring it on please

[Lordender]

I love how its SE's fuck up that they never secured FL+(but its your fault when its time to get the stolen account back) then they send an email out to POL mail which like 90% of the players never bother going to check after the accounts could of been potentially breeched almost a day after it happened.

[Weeks]

I have to wonder whether the STF is even aware that some RMTs are showing enough intelligence to disguise themselves. There is a large group of RMTs now on Caitsith that are rank 10, have a second job leveled past 37, and are coordinated enough to split their tasks to avoid doing everything with the same small group. Ie, one BLM and WHM who are usually doing Big Bomb with a group will meet up to fight Boroka with a NIN and THF who farm god-knows-what in Uggalepih and a RDM and NIN who do Cassie with their group. The names and jobs are still a dead give-away, as is their broken English, but you actually have to track them or have a conversation with them before you know for sure.

[Bakthi]

Point I'm really making is that 99% of sushi comes from these bots that are getting banned, and it's lame all around. If they do succeed in getting rid of the bots, they'll have to do something about the resulting fish shortage. Just trying to get that point across before we end up with a situation where everyone is going "wtf is up with these 100k stacks of sushi" as 3 people a day fish a few stacks a day because all the bots are gone and fishing sucks ass.

Maybe some of the people who used to fish, but gave it up in disgust due to RMT botting the shit out of it, will come back. I think the price of sushi will go up some, but the more it goes up, the more people will say "Hey, maybe it's time to go back and catch a few stacks again". I like fishing, and I'd fish a lot more often if it were easier to unload the results.

While it's convenient to have lower prices on reraise items and sushi due to RMT efforts, these prices really are artifically low. Honestly, Sole Sushi is very good (and people only need half as much of it as they used to). Black Sole are a very high-level fish; I find I'm not incredibly effective at catching them at my level (I stick to SSG). I use Sole Sushi, but I don't think it's wrong if the price goes up.

(I just wish the RMT would destroy the Khroma Ore market as effectively as they've razed the market for everything I can use to save up for Khroma Ore.)

[yrpaine]

Point I'm really making is that 99% of sushi comes from these bots that are getting banned, and it's lame all around. If they do succeed in getting rid of the bots, they'll have to do something about the resulting fish shortage. Just trying to get that point across before we end up with a situation where everyone is going "wtf is up with these 100k stacks of sushi" as 3 people a day fish a few stacks a day because all the bots are gone and fishing sucks ass.

at least they're not removing black sole from more areas in the game. We'd have a real shortage, see SE's response to too many RMT in SSG farming siren hairs. not to say siren hairs are used as much as black sole but to go from ~5 2hr nm's to only off of what 2 CoP wyrms and a sky NM, SE really knows how to control their RMT problems....

[Fhqwghads]

Dear SE:

Limiting passwords to alphanumeric characters (0-9 A-Z) is retardedly stupid. You say you're concerned about security, so pony up and let your customers create passwords that are in orders of magnitude more secure than what can be set at this time. Introducing special characters (`~!@#$%^&*()_+-={}[]|\:;"'<,>.?/) would raise the complexity level so high it would take forever to brute-force. Please stop tooting your Horn of Concern when you don't allow basic security in passwords. There's no reason to omit special characters.

P.S. Special task force, you need to take a look at coastlines everywhere. Your bounty hunters are blind as hell.

[Darwinion]

Maybe some of the people who used to fish, but gave it up in disgust due to RMT botting the shit out of it, will come back. I think the price of sushi will go up some, but the more it goes up, the more people will say "Hey, maybe it's time to go back and catch a few stacks again". I like fishing, and I'd fish a lot more often if it were easier to unload the results.

I totally agree with this. I'm a 100 Fisherman myself and I'd love nothing more than to actually make some money from the craft I invested so much time into. The only time I made anything from it is when I was levelling Cooking at the same time and kept every Bream and Black sole I caught on mules and later made sushi with them. I had to craft the Squids on the go in Quifim because they don't stack. Made a few million that way but it was a long term plan that paid off a little.

But I won't spend ages catching Soles for 17K a stack. It's just not worth it. You need 100 Fishing and 100 Cooking to HQ the Sushis to be able to even begin to compete with RMT. And that's just wrong.

[Liselle]

Dear SE:

Limiting passwords to alphanumeric characters (0-9 A-Z) is retardedly stupid. You say you're concerned about security, so pony up and let your customers create passwords that are in orders of magnitude more secure than what can be set at this time. Introducing special characters (`~!@#$%^&*()_+-={}[]|\:;"'<,>.?/) would raise the complexity level so high it would take forever to brute-force. Please stop tooting your Horn of Concern when you don't allow basic security in passwords. There's no reason to omit special characters.

Let's be realistic here... once your password is beyond the point of a dictionary attack, common things like "summer1", and the login system has an appropriate rate-limiter to prevent brute-forcing from getting anywhere, adding crazy-ass characters is an insignificant increase in security, not an order of magnitude.