X-Factor contestants get hacked

KARAOKE WARBLERS that have applied to appear on the US version of the hit TV show The X Factor apparently have had their personal details stolen.

The FBI is said to be investigating a potential hack of the databases of the televised mental illness, occasional talent and public humiliation showcase that could affect as many as 250,000 people.

The people, who have applied to go on the US version of the show, have been warned not to reply to emails from Fox, Rupert Murdoch's US TV network broadcaster, particularly if those emails request personal information. That could create some confusion once the audition and call-back process begins, we imagine.

"This week, we learned that computer hackers illegally accessed information you and others submitted to us to receive information about The X Factor auditions. It is possible that the information you did provide to us... may have been accessed. We are taking this matter very seriously and are working with federal law enforcement authorities to investigate this illegal action," wrote Fox in an email.

The network seems to be concerned that the details will be used to launch phishing attacks, as opposed to say bricks through windows after the show is aired, and added a warning to avoid any such requests.

"The X Factor will never ask you to email personal information such as financial data, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers or the user name or passwords you use to access other websites," it added.

"If you receive an email that appears to be from Fox.com or The X Factor asking for personal information, please delete it, as it did not come from us."

The INQUIRER regularly deletes emails from Fox.com, and as a rule avoids the website and its output, not to mention what passes as content on the television network itself, but the advice might be welcome in other quarters. µ