Second Life hacked
p2pnet.net News:- “Residents of one of the Internet’s most populous virtual worlds shop, attend class - even run businesses,” says the promo blurb on Second Life.
But only if they’ve changed their passwords because a hack attack has, “put its users’ identities and credit card information at risk,” says The San Francisco Chronicle.
Consequently, Second Life owner Linden Lab was telling its 650,000 registered users to reset their passwords.
“Engineers discovered the hack Thursday and, after investigating computer logs, decided Friday to alert members,” says The San Jose Mercury News.
“The hacker gained access through a flaw in software known as TikiWiki, an open source program engineers use on the game’s ’support’ site, which explains rules and answers users’ questions. The company set up a toll free hot line to help users change passwords, staffed by about 30 employees - including the chief executive.”
TikiWiki may be free but, “Second Life is conducted in a play currency known as Linden dollars” bought for real money at a rate of 300 Linden dollars for every $1 US, says the Mercury News.
“In addition, Linden Lab sells land and collects rent at a rate of about $20 per month per ‘acre’.”
A Second Life post states, “The company then launched a detailed investigation that revealed an intruder was able to access the Second Life databases utilizing a ‘0-Day Exploit’ through third- party software utilized on Second Life servers. Due to the nature of the attack, the company cannot determine which individual data were exposed. The company’s technical investigation is ongoing.”
Also See:
The San Francisco Chronicle - Second Life hack attack causes second-guessing , September 12, 2006
The San Jose Mercury News - Security breach at fantasy site Second Life, September 12, 2006
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