A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

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Dabo
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A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Dabo »

and in other games too. Here's a l list.
The program is called Red Shell (be aware there’s also a virus with the same name).

The purpose of this software is to track the "device" (PC, console, whatever) it is installed on, observing such things as what game(s) you play, what youtube video(s) you watch, and more, in order to report back to Red Shell's clients about how successful those clients' advertising campaigns are.

I’m not a lawyer but it should be illegal under the new EU’s GDPR if they don’t provide an opt-out. If you’re not an Eu citizen it depends on your country’s legislation.
Some of the companies in the list have removed the software claiming they didn’t know about it (yeah sure). 2K hasn't yet.
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Orm
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Orm »

Thank you for sharing. [&o]
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett
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Lobster
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Lobster »

ORIGINAL: Dabo

and in other games too. Here's a l list.
The program is called Red Shell (be aware there’s also a virus with the same name).

The purpose of this software is to track the "device" (PC, console, whatever) it is installed on, observing such things as what game(s) you play, what youtube video(s) you watch, and more, in order to report back to Red Shell's clients about how successful those clients' advertising campaigns are.

I’m not a lawyer but it should be illegal under the new EU’s GDPR if they don’t provide an opt-out. If you’re not an Eu citizen it depends on your country’s legislation.
Some of the companies in the list have removed the software claiming they didn’t know about it (yeah sure). 2K hasn't yet.

About opt-out. People should not have to opt-out. Instead they should have an option to opt-in. Then there is no need to read all of the crap they throw at you so you can attempt to understand exactly what is being done. Opt-in should be the method, NOT opt-out.
http://www.operationbarbarossa.net/

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Dabo
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Dabo »

Agreed, but i don't think that's the way this law works unfortunately, and still it's a big improvement over the older EU legislation.
Zorch
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Zorch »

Such spyware is why I don't like using networks like Steam. There's no way to know what the code is doing.
sanch
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by sanch »

ORIGINAL: Lobster
...
About opt-out. People should not have to opt-out. Instead they should have an option to opt-in. Then there is no need to read all of the crap they throw at you so you can attempt to understand exactly what is being done. Opt-in should be the method, NOT opt-out.

Back in the '90's, US passed a law requiring telecom companies to allow customers to opt-in before sharing their data. Shortly thereafter, I received a letter from the local phone company explaining how I could opt-out! Huh?

I actually complained to the state Public Utility Control Department. The reply I got back was ...

The FCC, when implementing the opt-in legislation, determined that opt-in really meant opt-out.

So there. The law says opt-in but the implementation is opt-out. Bribery (oops, I really mean 'campaign contributions") at work.
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PipFromSlitherine
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by PipFromSlitherine »

In fairness the FCC is (a) always going to be aligned with the governing party, which is a terrible idea, but as designed. And (b) it's now very much worse...

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/201 ... -are-dead/

Not political - both US parties enjoy taking campaign contributions from ISPs. But the privacy rules were opt-in (as per an FCC rule) until this legislation was passed.

That said, back OT, and to see this kind of software installed as part of a major game is pretty shocking IMO.

Cheers

Pip
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Orm
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Orm »

Shocking perhaps, but not surprising.

The young people I discuss such things with doesn't seem bothered. They say that they have nothing to hide...
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett
Kuokkanen
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Kuokkanen »

ORIGINAL: Orm

The young people I discuss such things with doesn't seem bothered. They say that they have nothing to hide...
Nothing to hide? Like credit card numbers and online account info including passwords?
You know what they say, don't you? About how us MechWarriors are the modern knights, how warfare has become civilized now that we have to abide by conventions and rules of war. Don't believe it.

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Lecivius
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Lecivius »

ORIGINAL: Kuokkanen
ORIGINAL: Orm

The young people I discuss such things with doesn't seem bothered. They say that they have nothing to hide...
Nothing to hide? Like credit card numbers and online account info including passwords?

Steam does the same thing. I have mentioned it before. Here as a matter of fact. I got the same response from people.

YAWN

And folks wonder why hacking is so prevalent. Many, many people just flat don't care. Some do, but they are a minority.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
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PipFromSlitherine
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by PipFromSlitherine »

Do you have any sources that the Steam client snoops on or records CC or passwords? Because otherwise... [;)]

Cheers

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Rosseau
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Rosseau »

Will deleting the redshell dll in the Civ VI folder do it, or will it just reappear if/when I start the game?

"My" computer won't let me edit and save the host file per the OP's link instructions.

Doing it more out of principle than anything, as with MS, Adobe and countless others, my computer is probably porous as heck.

Thanks
zonks
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by zonks »

ORIGINAL: Orm
They say that they have nothing to hide...

It always amazes me when I hear people say that, they don't realise they are quoting Joseph Goebbels, The minister for Propaganda of Nazi Germany.

"If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear"
Dabo
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Dabo »

Will deleting the redshell dll in the Civ VI folder do it, or will it just reappear if/when I start the game?
As far as i know if you delete redshell.dll the game won't start anymore.
There are a couple of ways to modify the host file:
1) right-click on notepad.exe (or notepad++ if you use it) and click on "Run as administrator", then open the Host file and modify it.
2) copy the Host file somewhere, modify it and then overwrite the original file in "c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc"
Dabo
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Dabo »

an updated list:

https://www.bluesnews.com/s/191118/game ... ccusations

Games who used Redshell which removed or pledged to remove it (as of 16.06.2018):

Elder Scrolls Online (Pledged to remove it)
Conan Exiles (Pledged to remove it)
Ylands (Removed)
Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?! (Pledged to remove it)
All Total War games, (Pledged to remove it)
Warhammer: Vermintide II, (Pledged to remove it)
Warhammer: Vermintide I, (might get removed also?)
My Time At Portia, (Pledged to remove it)
Dead by Daylight, (Pledged to remove it)
Battlerite, (Pledged to remove it)
AER Memories of Old, (Pledged to remove it)
Magic the Gathering Arena (closed beta & not on Steam), (Pledged to remove it for now)
Secret World Legends (Pledged to remove remains of it)
Hunt: Showdown (Pledged to remove it)
Escapists 2 (Pledged to remove it)
Omensight (Pledged to remove it)

Games still using Redshell according to community reports (as of 16.06.2018):

Civilization VI,
Kerbal Space Program,
Guardians of Ember,
The Onion Knights,
Realm Grinder,
Heroine Anthem Zero,
Warhammer 40k Eternal Crusade,
Krosmaga
Eternal Card Game
Sniper Ghost Warrior 3
Astro Boy: Edge of Time
Ballistic Overkill
Cabals: Card Blitz
CityBattle | Virtual Earth
Desolate
Doodle God
Doodle God Blitz
Dungeon Rushers
Labyrinth
My Free Farm 2
NosTale
RockShot
Shadowverse
SOS & SOS Classic
SoulWorker
Stonies
Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation
War Robots
Survived By
Injustice 2
The Wild Eight

New Adds:

Yoku's Island Express
Raging Justice
Warriors: Rise to Glory!
Trailmakers
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone
Vaporum
Robothorium
League of Pirates
Doodle God: Genesis Secrets
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Blond_Knight
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Blond_Knight »

ORIGINAL: Olek

ORIGINAL: Orm
They say that they have nothing to hide...

It always amazes me when I hear people say that, they don't realise they are quoting Joseph Goebbels, The minister for Propaganda of Nazi Germany.

"If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear"


Well damn, that quote is even more terrifying now that I know the source.


It should be followed up by Niemoller's:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Will_L
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Will_L »

It was removed from Conan Exiles.
was Will_L for a while.
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Lecivius
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Lecivius »

ORIGINAL: PipFromSlitherine

Do you have any sources that the Steam client snoops on or records CC or passwords? Because otherwise... [;)]

Cheers

Pip

I had wireshark's showing a LOT of data going to them every time you log in from a new computer, from a few months ago, while looking at another problem. I didn't break the messages down. From memory it was @ 385k of info. That's a lot more than the cookies folder. Credit Card info, or passwords? I doubt it. But snoops? Guaranteed.

It's on my open PC used to play games, I could care less. There is nothing there but my games, Amazon, and website history. I could roll a grenade into it, and only be down a day. I use a different LAN and PC for privileged info, and that gomer is secure. Still, there is no need for that much info to be sent to a file share operator on logging in.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Kuokkanen
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by Kuokkanen »

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

I had wireshark's showing a LOT of data going to them every time you log in from a new computer, from a few months ago, while looking at another problem. I didn't break the messages down. From memory it was @ 385k of info. That's a lot more than the cookies folder. Credit Card info, or passwords? I doubt it. But snoops? Guaranteed.

It's on my open PC used to play games, I could care less. There is nothing there but my games, Amazon, and website history. I could roll a grenade into it, and only be down a day. I use a different LAN and PC for privileged info, and that gomer is secure. Still, there is no need for that much info to be sent to a file share operator on logging in.
Interesting. Has anyone ever analyzed what gets send over there?
You know what they say, don't you? About how us MechWarriors are the modern knights, how warfare has become civilized now that we have to abide by conventions and rules of war. Don't believe it.

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IainMcNeil
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RE: A spywhare integrated in Civ 6

Post by IainMcNeil »

This is a storm in a teacup. Loads of games have RedShell and its entire purpose is to work out which marketing campaign generated your sale on Steam, as there is currently no other way to track it back as team does not provide the tools to do that. Its just a tool to help marketeers understand which of their campaigns are working and which not. The idea that its trying to steal your personal data is completely misleading and untrue. We don't use RedShell and don't plan to but can see why developers do. It's just people trying to create a fuss about something that really doesn't matter.
Iain McNeil
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Matrix Games
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