How can blizzard find out if youve been playing on a private server?

Im asking this question because im thinking of playing WoW again and I did try out a private server but it was incredibly boring compared to retail Wow so I stopped using the private server. Ive been hearing that blizzard can ban you for playing on a private server. The second question I guess, is... How can I keep them from finding this out? My account wasn't active when I played the private server.|||It probably runs a check on the WoW directory and look for anything that's out of the ordinary. Didn't you have to download something to play on a private server? Whatever you downloaded is probably what Blizzard is looking for.|||I'm actually commenting on the other answer that was given by Captain Dimwit. It is not illegal to play on a private server or to run one for your own use. It is a violation of Blizzard's TOS however and a copyright violation to distribute. Jeez, bet Captain Dim works for the RIAA.

Report Abuse

|||A comment for best answer. When you wanna play a private server you never download any files for blizzard to check. You just change the "reamlist" file and thats it. How can u get banned if you change realmlist back every time you download a patch/update? Tell me if im wrong.

Report Abuse

|||no, you dont have to download ot play a private server, its just easier. and not really, i've been playing wow i would say six years and private servers fer 4. so in my opinion no. i have 4 lvl 80's on retail and 2 85's and i have yet to be banned :p

Report Abuse

|||No, and it doesn't matter really. Blizz only truly cares if people are making millions of $$$ off running a private server. Free servers aren't worth the time it takes to prosecute them. Though I do think you should only play servers that offer old content rather then current.

Report Abuse

|||I don't think they can without invading your privacy. Private servers are considered stolen, and it is illegal to run/play on them. Consequences could be serious if they DO happen to find out, one of which includes a CD key ban.