Best way to activate SteamGuard without a smartphone?

[GhostWolf]

This trade restriction of holding trades for like 15 days if you don't use SteamGuard is crap honestly. The idea that everyone has a smartphone to bypass this is also crap... For these reasons, I'm trying to find a solution where I can get SteamGuard, but without having to buy a smartphone just for the purposes of steam alone (which just won't happen... I don't have that money.)

I've heard of people using Bluestacks to emulate an android device to get their SteamGuard codes on their PC itself, but I really don't know much about it and it's hard to find dedicated discussions on the topic.

I've also heard of people using Steam Desktop Authenticator, a program that does basically the same thing but with less resources used and less fluff (but it's some random Github download that is concerning in it's own way...) This App sounds perfect in theory, but it also seems "risky."

I'm just curious what people typicalyl think about this subject, and what is the best option?

I don't believe any of these are against the ToS in general. However, I am automatically concerned for my accounts security when it comes to downloading programs like these (which is ironic considering Valve is putting me in this situation in the name of a more secure steam account to begin with... lmao)

So yeah, do any of you use these, or have any input on them? Is there a better way these days?

[Sigmar]

Honestly though, if you can afford to game, you can afford a smartphone. In this day and age account security should be your priority and you can pick up a cheap smartphone for next to nothing these days.
Seriously, you can buy a crappy smartphone for just a few dollars if you look in the right places. There really is no excuse.

[GhostWolf]

Originally posted by Pickle:

Honestly though, if you can afford to game, you can afford a smartphone. In this day and age account security should be your priority and you can pick up a cheap smartphone for next to nothing these days.
Seriously, you can buy a crappy smartphone for just a few dollars if you look in the right places. There really is no excuse.

You don't know my situation at all...

I don't even have a phone period, I don't use them. The plan itself isn't worth it, nor is the phone. There's more people than you think in my shoes here. There is no excuse for "most" people, but there is an excuse for others...

Also aside from that, the fact remains that it's really absurd that Valve is trying to force this... opting out should be my right.

[Sigmar]

If you have legs or access to the Internet you can get a cheap smartphone just like everyone else. You do not need any sort of monthly plan as you can get pay as you go smartphones for like £5-10.

Like I previously mentioned account security should be your priority.

Edit: you already have the option to opt out as steam isn't exactly forcing anyone to use steamguard mobile authentication.

[GhostWolf]

Originally posted by Pickle:

If you have legs or access to the Internet you can get a cheap smartphone just like everyone else. You do not need any sort of monthly plan as you can get pay as you go smartphones for like £5-10.

Like I previously mentioned account security should be your priority.

Keep living in your bubble man. Glad you like to parrot what Valve tells you, but I value my rights more than you apparently, and I'm not forced to do this crap for everything else I use online, and my priorities aren't dictated by what you think either.

Basically if you aren't contributing to my question, then wtf are you doing? It's like someone asking about motorcycle advice and you chime in with, "hey, that's dangerous, you really should just get a car instead."

[Sigmar]

You have a choice like myself and every other user on steam. You can either choose to use steam guard or not, that's up to you.

You have steam guard to protect you from other users trying to hack, phish or whatever you want to call it.
It exists as a layer of protection.

If you don't wish to use it then fair be. Nobody is forcing you to use the mobile steamguard.

Edit: these are user forums and I can reply when and where I like.
If you don't like my advice or opinion then you don't have to reply, it's as simple as you buying a smartphone.

On a side note, it has nothing to do with my rights as I simply care for my account and want the best kind of security that is at hand. I'm not into all that entitled crap.

[GhostWolf]

Originally posted by Pickle:

You have a choice like myself and every other user on steam. You can either choose to use steam guard or not, that's up to you.

You have steam guard to protect you from other users trying to hack, phish or whatever you want to call it.
It exists as a layer of protection.

If you don't wish to use it then fair be. Nobody is forcing you to use the mobile steamguard.

Edit: these are user forums and I can reply when and where I like.
If you don't like my advice or opinion then you don't have to reply, it's as simple as you buying a smartphone.

On a side note, it has nothing to do with my rights as I simply care for my account and want the best kind of security that is at hand. I'm not into all that entitled crap.

When you see someone smoking, do you tell them they shouldn't? When you see someone not wear their seatbelt, do you lecture them on proper safety and why they should?

You're just annoying, plain and simple.

At least in my case I'm not even risking my life and I have my own reasons (and many, many more people are in the same boat, not even half the people that use steam have that steam guard I guarantee it), but you still feel the need to be that annoying guy anyway. Congrats, but you are the "entitled" guy when you feel entitled to your right of saying whatever the fk you want, even when it's clearly serving no purpose but to stroke your own ego, while just annoying the person ur talking to.

Good job on being a successful troll as well, thread officially derailed. :P

[Sigmar]

You always have the email authentication method if you choose not to use the mobile authentication.

And no, I have not been trolling. I have offered advice in the form of purchasing a smartphone as it's for your own benefit.
You cannot bypass the authentication, either use the email or mobile authenticator. It's that simple.

[The Rock God]

My phone bill is nearly $300/month. I also have trade holds. I just refuse to give Steam my number. Waiting 15 days doesn't bother me in the least. I'm on Steam to be able to play my games, not dabble in virtual commodities.

[crash]

WinAuth work well but you still need and SMS capable number (sharing is not a good idea) and it should not be run on the device using the account for security reasons....

How is offering sound advice "trolling" or "derailing"?

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by GhostWolf:

Good job on being a successful troll as well, thread officially derailed. :P

Another one of these threads ? Really ? And so it seems to be going exactly like the "megathread", which was just recently locked for this exact same thing....the accusations of those with differeing opinons being labeled a "troll" just for providing a different side of the discussion.

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/135507548127130483/?ctp=570#c135507548126639119

Posting one's opinions that you don't agree with or like does not a "troll" one make.

[Sigmar]

Originally posted by The Rock God:

My phone bill is nearly $300/month. I also have trade holds. I just refuse to give Steam my number. Waiting 15 days doesn't bother me in the least. I'm on Steam to be able to play my games, not dabble in virtual commodities.

Just like The Rock God, you have a choice to either use the proper verification or have to wait 15 days like every single other user.

If you go about using a third party method or trying to bypass the authentication method and run into problems with your account, then you will likely get no help from steam support.

[GhostWolf]

Originally posted by crash:

WinAuth work well but you still need and SMS capable number (sharing is not a good idea) and it should not be run on the device using the account for security reasons....

How is offering sound advice "trolling" or "derailing"?

His advice had nothing to do with my question, it was telling me to do it the standard way, which I was obviously deliberately avoiding for reasons stated in the original post. Saying that once isn't trolling, but going into full debate mode and not letting it drop when I repeatedly make it clear that's not helpful is absolutely derailing (changing the focus of the thread from the original post to something different) and derailing a thread is the original textbook definition of trolling. :P

[The Giving One]

Originally posted by GhostWolf:

His advice had nothing to do with my question, it was telling me to do it the standard way, which I was obviously deliberately avoiding for reasons stated in the original post. Saying that once isn't trolling, but going into full debate mode and not letting it drop when I repeatedly make it clear that's not helpful is absolutely derailing (changing the focus of the thread from the original post to something different) and derailing a thread is the original textbook definition of trolling. :P

Your "textbook definition of trolling" does not mean that definition is correct.

And about Bluestacks, there were many posts and comments about using that in the many threads we have seen on this very topic.

And those users are foolish in using it, as bypassing security is not a good thing. And that is what BlueStacks does....the whole idea is two factor authentication. ...as in two devices. Having BlueStacks on the same compromised computer will not protect anyone necessarily in the case of malware that results in an account compromist.

Optional security is pointless security.

[Vitya.]

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[Sigmar]

The only person derailing this topic is yourself. I have offered advice and didn't even acknowledge your petty insults or rude replies.

Like I already stated, you cannot bypass the authentication method as it's a form of protection.

You have 2 choices, either use the proper authentication methods given to you or don't and have to wait 15 days.