A General Guide to Hacking-situations Version 2.0 By: Ryukon ---------- I asked that whom so reads this guide to please NOT take it directly from HiddenStreet as it was made and intended for only HiddenStreet use. If you wish to use this, to add or correct anything, please give me a heads up in email at Ryukon@gmail.com I'm open to further information. Thank you. ---------- -- ---------- Table of Contents: 1) Introduction 2) What are "Hackers"? 3) What are the hackers abilities? 4) Symptoms of Hackings a.k.a Vac/Vacuuming 5) Where's the hackers? 6) What should I do if I find a hacker? 7) I see monsters being vacuumed to somewhere on my channel, but no user! 8) Recent News (Late September 2006) 9) What the...? I got accused of being a hacker?! I'm innocent! 10) Side comments from me 11) About me ---------- -- ---------- 1) Introduction: This is a general guide to find hackers infecting the Maple system and other related subjects. Since hackers have made their appearance up about a number of months now to date to this guide, it's steadily getting worse. I'm not forcing you to go out hacker-hunting, but here's what you can do to help fight back against such users or how to recognize potential circumstances. ---------- 2) What are "Hackers"? They're not bad people, really. It can get frustrating at times though when you try to play and things come up that can make it harder for you. "Hackers" can become one of them. "Hackers" use outside methods while they're in-game and go about what they will in a different, complex way that many others can't do. Further information on what a "Hacker" is will be further explained in this guide. ---------- 3) What are the hacker abilities? Godmode - enables the user to be in ultimate mode where they cannot be harmed in any way or receive damage. Flying - enables the user to float/fly where ever they please and even off screen where they can't be found or reported. Vacuum/Vaccing - enables the user to draw a large number of monsters to them, or suck them in, hence the word "vacuum/vaccing". (pending further information on this) ---------- 4) Symptoms of Hackings a.k.a Vac/Vacuuming - No monsters in the map area for a long period of time - Monsters stop moving after respawining - When hitting monsters, you get little or no movement response - Respawning monsters is more frequent than usual - Monsters suddenly disappear regardless of what you do (^ this is a VERY large hint that someone is hacking) ---------- 5) Where's the hackers? There not much of a direct answer for this one. If you see monsters disappearing but from what you can see in all that's available to you that there's no one in the area except you, the possibility of where a hacker might be is that they are on your channel, but are off your map where there is no visible indication that they are there. Monsters don't necessarily have to be visibly seen moving to one areain order for them to be vacuumed. ---------- 6) What should I do if I find a hacker? Report them IMMEDIATELY. Hackers might try to attempt to change channel. Find them and hurriedly right-click on their character and go to Report User. The 'Hacking' should be an automatic set for the options of the report, so click OK or press the Enter key. ---------- 7) I see monsters being vacuumed to somewhere on my channel, but no user! Unfortunately, you're not able to do anything at this point. You're mini World Map may show that there is another person or persons in the same area as you, but are out of the visual limit on your screen. If you have NX Cash, I suggest you NOT use it to buy a Megaphone to broadcast what you see to the other channels. This will only beget for you to get spammed, flammed, and the likes. Also, there's no guarantee that there's a GM present or anyone that has the power to put anything to action. The only thing you're left with is just try to find a clean or different channel where you won't get hurt and carry on. ---------- 8) Recent News (Late September 2006) As of late, Maple has restricted each person to report ONCE A DAY to prevent report-flooding. This makes dealing with hackers more difficult as you may have previously seen. The only solution to this is at the moment is to take screen shots and log down the character names, but also keep the images for proof that they did it. Afterwards, when you're ready, go to Maple's official site and send them an email containing the list of user names you've caught and also the pictures. Although, you'll get no confirmation back whether they have gotten it or not but that's about all you can do until a new form of reporting is presented. ---------- 9) What the...? I got accused of being a hacker?! I'm innocent! It's quite alright. If someone thinks you're hacking, just let them think that way. There's not much you can do about it. If they report you, then they reported you. If you didn't hack, didn't break any rules, and you've got nothing to hide, then aside from getting angry over the fact that someone even dared to point the finger at you there's nothing to worry about. They'll see you jump right back into play then they'll know they got the wrong person. Don't defame them though for judging you wrongly, or give them a hard time. That will just give them more to complain and gripe about and a solid reason for the report as you're not showing good etiquette and behavior. Let them go off and go about your thing, walk away, or log off to do some cooling. In the end, you're the maturer one here that has done nothing wrong. BUT, if they keep on following you and continue to accuse you and start to insult you or defame you, steal your kills and what not, then you're obliged to defame them or report them for harassment. ---------- 10) Side comments from me This whole guide is based on realization and gathered self-experience and therefore all sources are included. There are popular hacking spots, but I believe I will refrain from giving that information out as I don't want a full-on 'Hacker-Hunting' going down and it's also probably different for each server. A number of you may know just what areas I may have in mind, so it can be kept at a self-explanitory level. For those that don't know, then there's no need to worry. Just keep on playing like you normally would. For those that have not hacked or is not hacking, thank you very much. ---------- 11) About me I usually like to be called by the name 'Ryukon' and I wish to go by it. The in-game on MapleGlobal, I'm on the Bera server and my character is Michisuu. I want my alternate characters to remain unknown at this point. I'm not online much however so if you wish to still get in contact me, my email again is Ryukon@gmail.com Hopefully this guide has helped you a little and prepared you for what we now face today. This guide isn't timeless however and it will eventually become obsolete, but maybe this will be the platform in which you, my dear readers and Maplers, will build on with your own situations and experiences like I have done so for myself. Later on, one day, someone else might make another guide, but until then, this will be here for you all. Happy Mapling, Maplers!