Hacked: User information possibly compromised in Steam attack
by Steven Mostyn - Nov 11 2011, 09:29
Image: Valve.
Acclaimed software developer Valve (Half-Life, Portal, Left 4 Dead) has confirmed that its online Steam videogame service has been hacked and that personal user information may have been compromised.
Valve’s official confirmation of the attack comes after initial concerns arose when its popular Steam user forums suddenly dropped offline earlier in the week.
Despite the appearance of a message outlining a pause in service due to maintenance, it now appears the forum was targeted as an ‘in point’ by hackers connected to the ‘Fkn0wned’ website.
“We learned that intruders obtained access to a Steam database in addition to the forums,” outlined Valve co-founder Gabe Newell in an official statement. “This database contained information including names, hashed and salted passwords, game purchases, email addresses, billing addresses and encrypted credit card information.”
That being said, Valve insists its investigation has thus far uncovered no evidence to suggest encrypted credit card numbers or personally identifying information were stolen, or that related protection was cracked.
“We don’t have evidence of credit card misuse at this time,” Newell added. “Nonetheless you should watch your credit card activity and statements closely.”
All existing Steam customers are advised to protect themselves from any possible losses by changing any and all passwords connected to Steam services.
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