Difference From a Retail Box Game CD KEY VS Bundle Sites CD Key?

[adz]

Ok so quick question, with a retail box key I asume thats your account protection right.

But when it comes to a bundle CD key like from a bundle website, is this class as a "retail" cd key because it shows "retail" in my account settings, but i asume this is a 3rd party CD Key meaning can't be used to recover your steam account??


Cheers

[Dr. Fronkensteen]

There is no way to distinguish where a key comes from. A key from a website is just as valid as a one from a brick and mortar store.

[adz]

Originally posted by Barf the Mawg:

There is no way to distinguish where a key comes from. A key from a website is just as valid as a one from a brick and mortar store.

Are you sure? Because according to Steam Support they say you need to own a "Box" retail game.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2268-EAFZ-9762#cd-keys


So my guess is these bundle keys/3rd party cd keys are worthless on steam.

[Cathulhu]

No, they still get you the game. But they don't count as physical evidence though. If your account is compromised Valve assumes that all other accounts from you are compromised as well, which is a fair assumption.
So they prioritize physical proof as that is not that easily compromised.

If you use two factor authorization, especially through the Steam Mobile Authenticator it's pretty hard to get an account hijacked. With the Authenticator it would require physical access to the phone.

[adz]

ok well i dont use bundle websites anymore, and my worry is if someone gets into my bundle site websites and use my used CD keys to get my steam account but i guess its not possible since its not a box retail cd key.

[Cathulhu]

That is correct. Keys from digital retailers can not be used for the reasons i stated above.

[Astraea Kisaragi]

I assume that for as proof for reclaiming your account must serve a photo of a cd-key. Cannot be really done by a digital key.
Especially if I take how many keys come from shady web stores.

[adz]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

That is correct. Keys from digital retailers can not be used for the reasons i stated above.

Thanks mate.

Was abit worried since i dont use any of my bundle website's anymore and not planning on using them anymore. so if they were to be taken over by some random, atleast he can not get into my steam account.