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10th July 2009 - The Jagex Anti-Hijack System and DevBlog


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Back-end Upgrades by Mod Tom S 10-Jul-2009

 

 

 

Welcome to this dev blog about infrastructure, the first of its type. I am Mod Tom S, IT Manager, and I would like to keep you updated on some of the big infrastructure changes that will benefit both RuneScape and FunOrb.

 

 

 

First off, a little background. All of Jagexs games are hosted on a two-tier infrastructure - we refer to it as our "front-end" and "back-end". The game worlds run on servers in our front-end. The game world servers then read and write their data from our back-end infrastructure. You are probably already familiar with some of the services running in the back-end, examples include the login servers, forums, billing systems, etc.

 

 

 

Last year, we undertook a massive upgrade of all the front-end servers using the latest Dell servers. This allowed us to refresh all the servers on which the worlds themselves run, as well as a very significant upgrade of the Internet connectivity provided to those servers. Your worlds are now running on much faster and resilient hardware with multiple 10gb Internet connections.

 

 

 

More recently, we have been working on upgrading our back-end infrastructure. Because the back-end stores such important data as your game progress, login information and friends lists, for example, it is vital that this is not only reliable, but also supports our long-term goals for high performance and the player growth we are experiencing.

 

 

 

So what are we building? Well, as you might imagine, storage is the key component in the design. Consequently, we have built our new infrastructure around a massive storage system called a SAN (storage area network). This SAN allows us to move, expand and generally manipulate virtual disks as they are required by our servers. The SAN also includes advanced replication software that we are using to replicate the entire back office to another data centre in real-time, which means we would be able to keep our systems online even if an entire data centre was wiped out. The servers are connected to the SAN using multiple fibres for performance and resilience. The servers, in turn, are connected to the local network using multiple connections, and the local network is then connected to the Internet by multiple internet providers. At each turn, we have chosen the best possible solution, utilising the best equipment on the market. We take the availability of our games very seriously indeed.

 

 

 

"So what will this do for me?" you may ask. For a start, the new back-end should be faster and more reliable. Our current back-end relies on a single Internet provider who have not proven to be very reliable. With the new back-end, we will also be able to route around a few of the common types of Internet connection problems. Also, we have a ton more bandwidth for services that simply werent possible before. I cant talk about them here, but you should be seeing the first of these shortly.

 

 

 

The migration work will start in the next couple of weeks. As modules are moved, they will be unavailable and there may be short periods of disruption. We will be minimising this as much as possible and there will be news posts detailing the specifics of the move as it happens. The whole migration process should take less than a month, but we wont be rushing - its important that we get it right.

 

 

 

 

 

10th July 2009 - The Jagex Anti-Hijack System

 

While Jagex is a clear industry leader in making our games and infrastructure secure, some of our players personal computers have proved vulnerable to account hijacking in the form of viruses, key loggers, phishing websites or players simply revealing their Jagex password. Given these challenges, we are determined that your account remains secure at all times, even if your personal computer has been compromised or somebody else knows your password. We think we have found a solution to these problems: the Jagex security key.

 

 

 

This key looks like a bit like a USB dongle, which you will be able to put on your key ring or store in a secure location. The key will reveal a six to eight-digit code that changes every few seconds and is completely unique to you. Type this code into a Jagex login page and you will be able to guarantee that you are secure from any hijacking attempt.

 

 

 

For the techies out there, the key is an Enterprise two-factor authentication solution. Were really enthusiastic about its potential to stop hijackers and phishing sites in their tracks, but since this will require significant investment and resources, we arent going to make any final decisions without talking to you first. We would like you to head over to the poll system, on the left-hand side of the RuneScape front page, and answer two questions: would you be interested in buying one of these security keys, and what is the most you would be willing to pay?

 

 

 

With the Jagex security key, we would be so confident that your account is secure that we could consider adding expanded bank space to those accounts that are protected by the Jagex security key.

 

 

 

NOTES it would not be compulsory to buy the security key. It would be an optional means for you to keep your account genuinely secure. The Jagex security key would be available to all countries for a single one-off price. The security key would be available to both free players and members.

 

 

 

While we are enthusiastic about the Jagex security key, there are still a number of variables that could determine whether we can roll this out, ranging from technical challenges and, naturally, players' interest in the device.

 

 

 

Please give us your feedback :)

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Mark Gerhard

 

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Well, it's great for everyone, faster RuneScape (though you probably won't tell the difference), and "also, we have a ton more bandwidth for services that simply werent possible before." This means more website features I guess, lite-version of GE, or (fingers-crossed) an API.

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Uhm, sounds interesting! Shame I couldn't understand half of what he was talking about.. :roll:

 

This. Apart from English not being my mother tongue, I'm not really into IT or hardcore computer stuff, so it's all a bit abracadabra for me. Ah well, it sounded like an improvement, so I'm happy ::'.

Due to my epic stats, I have now started WGS (but I still hate spoilers).

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Respect for good communication skills by Jagex.

 

Respect for upgrading systems.

 

Respect for not rushing things but getting it right the first time (which, as we all complain is often not the case :P but we take it as it is and laugh it off)

 

 

 

Nothing but a good job :) good to hear such news. Hope it turns out the way they plan it

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They're focussing on reliability too, so I guess this means there will be less times when the Friends list goes down and so on. But it'd be great if they start to expand their site, especially the GE and maybe some Clan feature.

 

Updated OP with news post.

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Hopefully with the updating the backend servers they will give us more friends list spaces :pray:

 

 

 

As for the security key thing it seems like another way to get money and it would be basically paying for more bankspace. :| Of course you couldn't be hacked and what not but most people know what not to click and to not use their password on different sites.

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I am disgusted by the thought of the anti hijack system jagex has planned. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your computer is safe and that your account is secure. If you are un-able to do so its your fault if you get hacked. It seems to me jagex is attempting to sell bankspace for 10 -20 dollars which is mind blowing. It seems soon they will be selling more upgrades in-game to get your money, I am very disapointed -.- .

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Uh, there's no way I'm buying that key. A password created by a user is a compromise between accessibility and security and one I am not willing to tarnish. £6 isn't much to me but I'm already paying that each month.

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I guess they are ready to be flooded with requests from people that lost their security key.

 

 

 

Seems like a joke to me.

 

 

 

Seems more like a way to make extra money off new players and people who want bankspace badly than a joke. Either way I find it kind of sad.

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You know, I'm a level 133 who Slays and Ranges regularly and I can honestly say I've never had a problem with bankspace. I'm not sure how anyone could. :? We have too much already.

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Thanks to all those who have messaged me concerning a revamp of my Range-Slayer guide. Because of you all I will start rewriting it asap.[/color]

 

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I am disgusted by the thought of the anti hijack system jagex has planned. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your computer is safe and that your account is secure. If you are un-able to do so its your fault if you get hacked. It seems to me jagex is attempting to sell bankspace for 10 -20 dollars which is mind blowing. It seems soon they will be selling more upgrades in-game to get your money, I am very disapointed -.- .

 

 

 

OMFG JAGEX FAILS YET AGAIN!!!!!

 

 

 

:roll:

 

 

 

How can one not afford £6? I know we're in the recession and all, but £6 is spare change. No one can complain about that, but if you feel you can keep your account safe then dont buy one. Simple as.

 

 

 

Its a great concept by Jagex, but 1+ year too late. People dont password scam much these days since they removed all means of xferring between accounts. Still protects from having your account stolen, though.

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I already have one of these Anti-Hijack Systems, it's called common sense; I don't go clicking every questionable link I see and I regularly scan for viruses and keyloggers. I drop old quest items and use my house costume room. I guess I saved my self a few bucks.

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I already have one of these Anti-Hijack Systems, it's called common sense; I don't go clicking every questionable link I see and I regularly scan for viruses and keyloggers. I drop old quest items and use my house costume room. I guess I saved my self a few bucks.

 

 

 

Not all RuneScape players have the gift of common sense.

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I thought this was a joke until I saw the results of the poll.

 

 

 

This is ridiculous.

 

 

 

If you get hacked, etc: it is most likely your own fault. The vast majority of people who got "hacked" entered their password on another site or gave it to a friend, or downloaded something suspicious on a RuneScape phishing site.

 

 

 

Think about this:

 

 

 

You want to log on for a good game of scape.

 

 

 

First you have to dig around in your purse/wallet/bag/desk for this odd-looking "dongle." Whoops, I think I lost it, going to have to wait a couple weeks to play RS again.

 

 

 

New one comes: you squint at it to see an 8-digit code and enter it.

 

 

 

Then you enter your password.

 

 

 

You find yourself in the world of RS, in a bank. You try to open the bank to see your new shiny bank space.

 

 

 

Please enter your PIN.

 

 

 

Ah, there's your new bank. You see that you have some essence that you want to craft at the ZMI altar, but you're not on the ZMI-themed world and wish to runecraft there. You log out.

 

 

 

And have to do it all again.

 

 

 

This is a game. A GAME. A simple password is fine for protecting your account, and you can already set an optional PIN that will stop almost anyone who gets onto your account from doing financial damage. You do not need to pay another 2-4 months worth of membership for a fancy tech doohickey that'll cause more annoyance to the user than comfort.

 

 

 

And yet the stupid train keeps a rollin.

 

 

 

If money was not an issue, according to the poll, the vast majority of people would buy it.

 

Even if money is an issue, they would still be willing to pay $10 for extra bankspace at the cost of slowing them down and possibly locking their account if they lose the key.

2496 Completionist

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You know, I'm a level 133 who Slays and Ranges regularly and I can honestly say I've never had a problem with bankspace. I'm not sure how anyone could. :? We have too much already.

 

 

 

P2P sure but not f2p.

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If they are not that expensive i would buy one just for the bank space :?

 

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Well, I don't think many people will buy it, but I guess there are quite a few who may have already bought the flash drive they already sell (http://www.jagexstore.com/product_info. ... ucts_id=33). I think it's just an extra precaution that some may wish to take; I don't think it'll do too well.

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How would you react if they didn't add "With the Jagex security key, we would be so confident that your account is secure that we could consider adding expanded bank space to those accounts that are protected by the Jagex security key." to it? -.-

 

I believe this is a good way to protect your account from things as annoying as a little brother that is in love with your account and always tries to watch when you type your password :?

 

And maybe that cool new program you download contains a keylogger :o

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You know, I'm a level 133 who Slays and Ranges regularly and I can honestly say I've never had a problem with bankspace. I'm not sure how anyone could. :? We have too much already.

 

 

 

P2P sure but not f2p.

 

 

 

I was f2p for the year before I joined members. Still no problem with bankspace unless you're one of those people that hoard useless items. Most F2P are.

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Thanks to all those who have messaged me concerning a revamp of my Range-Slayer guide. Because of you all I will start rewriting it asap.[/color]

 

Formerly RobinHoodie.

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