Apparently the impossible has finally happened. Xbox Live has been hacked. Source: http://www.1up.com/news/xbox-live-accounts-targeted-fifa-dlc-scam A seemingly largely number of Xbox Live members have found their accounts hacked and used to purchase downloadable content for FIFA Soccer 11 and 12 in recent weeks. There have been numerous reports of this happening. Users find that their account has been accessed, oftentimes thanks to strange emails they shouldn't have been receiving. The accounts are used to buy FIFA downloadable content with Microsoft Points stored in their account in addition to points which are purchased using the billing information attached to the account. Microsoft's response has been to lock down the affected accounts for a period of several weeks while it can be investigated. A number of these users report Microsoft and their credit card companies have been helpful, but it's nonetheless alarming that the unauthorized access sounds to be so widespread. An official statement was issued by Microsoft today in which it downplayed the likelihood of Xbox Live being compromised. "We do not have any evidence the Xbox LIVE service has been compromised," the statement reads. "We take the security of our service seriously and work on an ongoing basis to improve it against evolving threats. "However, a limited number of members have contacted us regarding unauthorized access to their accounts by outside individuals. We are working with our impacted members directly to resolve any unauthorized changes to their accounts. As always, we highly recommend our members follow the Xbox LIVE Account Security guidance provided at www.xbox.com/security to protect your account." Without knowing exactly how these hackers are getting into the accounts in the first place, it's difficult to say exactly how to prevent it from happening. Until we learn more, be wary of phishing emails and stay vigilant by keeping an eye on your Xbox Live account for any suspicious purchases or activity.
