Steam users really need to use the Steam mobile app

Nov 27, 2015 16:53 GMT  ·  By

Valve is finally taking some measures against trades, which are also being used in a number of illegal ways.

There are a lot of shady websites out there that say they sell Steam keys but, in fact, the method of delivery is through the trade system. It can also happen that someone hijacks an account, buys games with the registered credit card, and sends them to another account with the trading systems. It also works for moving high-value items from the inventory, and these are just the things that we can think of, but there are probably other uses for it.

Valve is now moving against these people with the help of a couple of tools. First of all, users must set up their Steam Guard Mobile, which is done through the Steam app that’s available for all mobile platforms. Secondly, Valve is setting up a sort of escrow for traded items so that if something goes wrong, the user has enough time to discover the problem and fix it.

Trade holding will start on December 9

The new Steam feature will take effect starting December 9, and it is a big step for the company. The trading system is a great source of revenue for them, but it’s been abused for far too long, and it was about time for something to change.

“Trade holds to protect your items. Because Steam accounts are valuable, especially if they have items worth stealing. If you haven't protected your account with a physical device (using the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator), a trading hold will give you time to discover your account has been compromised and to prevent items from leaving your account,” reads the Steam website.

If a trade is made from an account that doesn’t have the Mobile Authenticator enabled in the past seven days, the items will go to a holding area, where they will be delayed for another three. In theory, it should give users plenty of time to notice if they have just got robbed.

In fact, Valve is pushing really hard for people to use the Steam app and Mobile Authenticator, and they promise 5% - 33% discounts in the Community Market, which will be given from their own pocket.