An effective deterrent to Abuse of Family Sharing

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MainframeMouse Apr 29, 2015 @ 5:43am

Just had a conversation with someone trying to abuse Steam Family Sharing, on the SFS forum. The idea of committing fraud against VALVe on their own forum is a bit like going into a bank with a megaphone and shouting "I've got a stolen cheque book anyone want free money".

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/familysharing/discussions/0/613956964579987440/

I made the OP aware of two of the systems in SFS to reduce abuse. The Library Lock and The need to log onto the other persons machine.

One of the systems had absolutely no effect in deterring the OP,
The other appears to have made him reconsider.

So I'm asking the community, Could I have phrased it in anyway that could have made the First system an effective deterrent? If not then whats the purpose of a restriction that doesn't stop abuse?

[Mods please do not move this to the SFS forum because I'd like a wide feedback on the question rather than the views of the small number of people still active on the SFS forum]

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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments

wuddih Apr 29, 2015 @ 5:54am

you overdo it a little bit. he simply had no clue what family sharing is. and seeing his posts: little kid that thought he will get candy if he goes into the old mans van.

misato_katzuragi1987 Apr 29, 2015 @ 6:08am

loool nice one gg man but yeah sad there are such pple who are just....9 years old?
and about how to stop abuse, well he would had been the one abused anyway and then he would learn it hard way.

Last edited by misato_katzuragi1987; Apr 29, 2015 @ 6:10am

MainframeMouse Apr 29, 2015 @ 6:24am

Yes I layed it on thick.
Share with a stranger, the chances are you get free game. In the same way leaving a laptop in a unlocked car may not lead to it being stolen.... but would you risk it?

Roscaria Apr 29, 2015 @ 7:09am

This kid had probably been told by a mate that they could share games with each other and was just trying to connect with someone who had the game he wanted.

There was no mention of family sharing so obviously he was unaware of it and how it worked, but thanks to MainframeMouse, they do now and they made a sensible decision. Just goes to show how easy it would be to entrap a minor with the internet.<sigh>

MainframeMouse Apr 29, 2015 @ 7:22am

Unforunately there are a lot of posts like this, not all kids, far too many teens and adolesents.

He must have been aware of fAmily sharing since it was the family sharing forum he selected.

But agreed, there is a serious lack of net smarts with these kids.

Roscaria Apr 29, 2015 @ 8:09am

Oops. Must admit I jusrt clicked on the link and never read the title. Tut, tut,<<slap on wrist>

Kids these days seem to get given phones with apps, ipads, and computers and just let loose with no teaching of security issues or even etiquette on their usage.

MainframeMouse Apr 29, 2015 @ 8:29am

To be honest even after clearly stating the dangers he openned another thread 20minutes later.

Black Blade Apr 29, 2015 @ 10:00am

Some just dont get the risk, or do not care.. well guess they will learn

Even that someone may want to tell him that sharing CS:GO dose not allow to play Comp.. so not likely anyone will agree XD
Also GTA V is likely outside of the Family Sharing as it has a 3rd Party DRM if i am not worng

Last edited by Black Blade; Apr 29, 2015 @ 10:00am