Blizzard Launcher

From WoWWiki

Blizzard Launcher is a utility application introduced with patch 1.8.3 to ostensibly provide news links and a minimal set of pre-launch configuration options for the actual game and the patch downloader. Behind the scenes it would also theoretically provide some measure of scanning and protection from trojan viruses and third party cheat programs.

Contents 1 Design change 2 Features 3 Controversy 4 Security 5 Patch changes

Design change

With patch 3.0.8, the launcher was redesigned with a new look. Also added to the "Options" menu was a bare-essentials "Game Preferences" panel, "Downloader Preferences" panel, and a "Parental Controls" link to the "WoW Account Management" website.

Features

• Act as a scanner and warn the user of malicious software.
• Provide news links about WoW and Blizzard.
• Control the options of the Blizzard Downloader in regards to pre-patching.
• Update the game. New in Patch 2.1
• Options button to show options panel.
  • Minimal pre-launch game preferences.
  • Patch downloader preferences.
  • Button link to Parental Controls web page.
• Public Test button link to PTR login web page.
•  ? button to show web links panel.
  • Community page web link.
  • Forums page web link.
  • Blizzard Store page web link.
  • Technical Support page web link.
  • Parental Controls page web link.

Controversy

There was a bit of controversy regarding the Launcher as it was scanning the computer for malicious software, which some people believed to be an invasion of privacy.

Security

The new Launcher may present a security issue. It does not obey the 'default' browser setting of Windows, and thus launches Internet Explorer when any link is clicked. Although this may be fixed in the future, in the past the 'Trial' Launcher has been observed to have some links obey the Default setting, and other links not obey the setting. Thus it could be said that although the Launcher is claimed to aide against some malware, its own behaviour and history of poor coding removes any benefit it may give in this regard.

Patch changes

• From notes in the Blizzard Updater for patch 1.8.3:

A new launch utility has been created to enhance your entry into World of Warcraft! The Blizzard Launcher will provide up-to-date news and important event – and support – related updates. In some regions, the Blizzard Launcher also scans for Trojan viruses and third party cheat programs and notifies you if it has located any on your machine. In addition to providing you with the benefits of additional anti-virus protection, the scan that the launcher conducts represents another security measure to protect your World of Warcraft account information and gameplay experience. For further details, please go to http://www.blizzard.com/support/wow/?id=aww01907p1.

• With the release of patch 2.1, the launcher would start the game automatically unless a checkbox saying 'Show Launcher' on the startup screen of the game is checked. In the patch 3.0.8 version, this checkbox was removed and does not appear in the new set of options.