Codemasters web site gets hacked

GAMING FIRM Codemasters has had its web site attacked by hackers, the firm has confirmed, and has closed down the web site as a result.

When we checked the firm was offering no alternative address or message of unavailability in its place on its web site.

The company's Facebook page is clearer, though, and under 'discussions' answers a query from a user and recommends that members of its community change their passwords.

In an email sent out to its web site members Codemasters went into some detail about the attack and explained that the unauthorised entry took place on 3 June.

It said, "During the days since the attack we have conducted a thorough investigation in order to ascertain the extent and scope of the breach and have regrettably discovered that the intruder was able to gain access to..." There follows a significant list, including the main web site, and sub domains, a Dirt 3 code redemption page, and the Codemasters Estore.

"We believe the following have been compromised: Customer names and addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, encrypted passwords and order history," the firm added, before explaining that no personal payment information was stored at Codemasters, meaning that it was offsite and thus left untouched.

However, that does not mean that the hackers got away with nothing, and Codemasters said that names, usernames, screen names, email addresses, passwords, biographies, dates of birth, IP addresses, and Xbox Live gamertags were compromised.

"Whilst we do not have confirmation that any of this data was actually downloaded onto an external device, we have to assume that, as access was gained, all of these details were compromised and/or stolen," added the email.

This seems to be the end of the Codemasters web site as is, and the firm said that it will remain offline for the foreseeable future. "A new web site will launch next year," it added.

Users are advised, obviously for their own security, to change their Codemasters passwords across the estate and to be on the lookout for phishing scams.

We dread to think what anyone who uses both Sony and Codemasters is going through at the moment, but if you can hear us in your bunker through your tinfoil hat, we certainly wish you all the best. µ