Xbox Live latest to fall victim to hackers
Xbox Live has become the latest victim of the growing cyber crime trend to affect online video game players. Gamers have become victims of a “phishing” scam as criminals sent emails directing them to sites offering free Microsoft points. Victims then committed the cardinal sin of entering personal details into the site and allowing those committing the crime to gain access to their account – and ultimately credit card information.
Anyone that has ever received an email from their “bank” will know what this is all about and no one should feel embarrassed to be duped by emails that are often very professional in their appearance. The average loss for gamers affected is thought to be £100 with many losing as much as £200 in the 35 countries hit by the scam. There’s more though.
Crooks have been befriending players into surrendering personal details online as well. Paul Thompson, 29, had £84 stolen by scrupulous hackers and told The Sun: “People need to know this is happening.”
Players only realized the scam was taking place when they were locked out of their accounts after they had been accessed elsewhere. Microsoft staff are working hard to protect their customer base from further attacks and reassured those that didn’t actually reveal their password that they’ll receive refunds.
The latest scam is very different in nature to the hackers that accessed 77million PlayStation Network accounts and shut the system down for weeks. It does bring up the question of whether security should be upgraded on video gaming networks after PSN, Steam and now Xbox Live have all fallen victims to cyber crimes in one shape or form.
With Xbox’s latest advertising campaign promoting voice activation, how long is it until you can shout, “stop thief” at your console and a traditional English bobby runs around the screen after a virtual robber. We shouldn’t joke but that’d be something to see!
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