I want to use internet cafes on Steam but-

[Corona Varus]

One problem, Can I auto logout using Steam Guard?
Sometimes these internet cafe owners are huge ♥♥♥♥♥ that they would shut down my slot when I have 5 minutes left leaving my account exposed with currency in it.

Steam needs to prioritize on letting us use computer cafes safely.

[Cathulhu]

Using public computers is a really bad idea as you don't know what is running on them. They could record every keystroke and steal login credentials.

Only use computers you can trust.

[Zero, Dark Knight]

yep if you value safety, don't use public computers to input sensitive data.
Public computers are for basic searches, not gaming etc.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Corona Varus:

Steam needs to prioritize on letting us use computer cafes safely.

They really don't, in fact they'd rather you NOT use them, as they can all be installed with key loggers and you wouldn't know....

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Corona Varus:

Steam needs to prioritize on letting us use computer cafes safely.

No, that's your own responsibility.

[Corona Varus]

Guess I have to use a laptop instead with a VPN.

[Cathulhu]

The use of VPN with Steam is explicitly forbidden and can get your account permanently suspended or outright terminated.

Not sure why you'd want to use one as the traffic is encrypted anyway.

[AROCK!!!]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

The use of VPN with Steam is explicitly forbidden and can get your account permanently suspended or outright terminated.

Not sure why you'd want to use one as the traffic is encrypted anyway.

My understanding is that Valve/STEAM only forbids using a VPN to circumvent region restrictions and pricing.

[Cathulhu]

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to order or purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Pretty much cut and dry.

[Fishie]

Originally posted by Zero, Dark Knight:

yep if you value safety, don't use public computers to input sensitive data.
Public computers are for basic searches, not gaming etc.

Not always true, not everyone is a thief in the night trying to steal your information in public computer Cafe.

But valve should add a option to sign out on all devices, as it provides safety. So if you use a Cafe just click sign out on all devices on your mobile device or email or website.

Originally posted by Corona Varus:

One problem, Can I auto logout using Steam Guard?
Sometimes these internet cafe owners are huge ♥♥♥♥♥ that they would shut down my slot when I have 5 minutes left leaving my account exposed with currency in it.

Steam needs to prioritize on letting us use computer cafes safely.

You know cafes and other places have to respect privacy right, all you have to tell them is you have a account you need to sign out as it is personal so they should give you a few seconds to sign out.

If they don't, they could possibly be sued as they violated your right to privacy but they would just turned the suit on to the person who log in on the computer using your info but you can't sit there and tell them hey sign out or anything like that as you left it on there and it their time.

Unless you want to be thrown out of a Cafe by police.

And the person would probably claim they thought it came with the Cafe.

Or the Cafe would claim that you did it your self for using a public computer but a lawsuit is where the real winner is.

[AROCK!!!]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to order or purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Pretty much cut and dry.

Well, going by the 1st sentence, my interpretation is using it to circumvent your location or residence.
The rest is just a few examples of why, but all in all, it's about changing your location.

If I'm using it for security purposes such as connecting from an Internet cafe, or work, or even basic security concerns, but still using / showing my actual location / residence, then I don't see it as a violation.
And I'm willing to bet dollars to dog turds a court, especially in the EU would see it the same way.

[Cathulhu]

"or for any other purpose" This makes it a blanket statement banning any kind of VPN usage.

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by ÁROCK!!!:

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Pretty much cut and dry.

Well, going by the 1st sentence, my interpretation is using it to circumvent your location or residence.
The rest is just a few examples of why, but all in all, it's about changing your location.

If I'm using it for security purposes such as connecting from an Internet cafe, or work, or even basic security concerns, but still using / showing my actual location / residence, then I don't see it as a violation.

The "for any purpose" actually means that any reason is prohibited.

Though Valve doesn't enforce it as that. From the anecdotal evidence that is forum users posting about their usage, it seems in general VPNs are tolerated. Just don't try to circumvent the region restrictions or buy cheaper, as far as I know that's the only thing that can actually get one in trouble.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

"or for any other purpose" This makes it a blanket statement banning any kind of VPN usage.

Yep, its technically outlawed in general to use a VPN, but to be fair Valve hasn't shown any signs of enforcing it as long as you aren't using it to change your region. But its still against the rules and a big at your own risk scenario.

It doesn't matter how others see it, the rules are clear even if they aren't really enforced

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Originally posted by ÁROCK!!!:

Well, going by the 1st sentence, my interpretation is using it to circumvent your location or residence.
The rest is just a few examples of why, but all in all, it's about changing your location.

If I'm using it for security purposes such as connecting from an Internet cafe, or work, or even basic security concerns, but still using / showing my actual location / residence, then I don't see it as a violation.

The "for any purpose" actually means that any reason is prohibited.

Though Valve doesn't enforce it as that. From the anecdotal evidence that is forum users posting about their usage, it seems in general VPNs are tolerated. Just don't try to circumvent the region restrictions or buy cheaper, as far as I know that's the only thing that can actually get one in trouble.

I've heard of people getting in trouble for using a VPN to bypass matchmaking in MP games as well.

[AROCK!!!]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

"or for any other purpose" This makes it a blanket statement banning any kind of VPN usage.

Not really.


The main part is the 1st line---changing your location.

This is what STEAM considers the violation.


If STEAM wanted to ban VPN use altogether I would think they would have worded it different.


Also. From a legal perspective, I doubt any court would rule that Valve has the right to prohibited people using a VPN for legitimate purposes.


Keep in mind that courts quite often find TOSs and EULAs to be non binding.

Valve (and other companies) has tried it more than once in lawsuits filed against them only to have it (TOS and EULA) tossed out by the court.

In a lawsuit filed in Germany the court found both to be non binding, and even rejected Valve's claim that STEAM was a "subscription service" ....this was further upheld by the EU high court.