Linking Steam Account - Security risk?

[RandyFisher]

Some mods like the multiplayer for American Truck Simulator / Euro Truck Simulator 2 wants me to link my steam account. Is this actually a security risk? I didn't consider so much with the steam API yet. Which rights / possibilites in my steam account would the mod get?

[Kompot]

No risks, i actually play on ETS 2 multiplayer mod too, you'd read on the mod site...

[RandyFisher]

Ok, good to know. When you have nearly 500 games in your account, you're a little more cautious. :D

Btw: It would be really interessting, what the Steam API actually does in detail, when someone is linking his steam account to a website or program. Does the external site only get a "read only"-access?

[Forcen]

How does the linking happen? Does it send you to the steam website where you log in? That is safe.
Don't do anything else.

All the website gets basically is the number of the end of your profile link: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198043642293 (yours for example)
And a confirmation from the steam that you are who you say you are.

When they get this valve can't really take it back since there isn't anything for them to give back. All they get is that link/number and they can use it however they want just like everyone who has that link. If the profile is private then that is the limit on what they can do with the profile.

[MancSoulja]

Originally posted by RandyFisher:

Ok, good to know. When you have nearly 500 games in your account, you're a little more cautious. :D

Btw: It would be really interessting, what the Steam API actually does in detail, when someone is linking his steam account to a website or program. Does the external site only get a "read only"-access?

The 3rd party website gets no access. Once you log in using Steam, the website receives an auth token from Steam, they can use that token to pull already public information from your profile.

[RandyFisher]

Thanks for the infos. But then I'm wondering, why a multiplayer mod wants to link the steam account just for downloading the mod. For me it sounds, the mod doesn't really need a linked steam account to work?

[Kompot]

It does, because your Euro Truck Simulator 2 profile is linked to your Steam profile

[Forcen]

The game uses steam for online right? I guess they want to keep track of you when you play online.

You should ask them that, or in the forum for the game.

Oh yeah, maybe they want to see if you actually own the game to curb piracy somewhat.