Security row upsets Second Lifers (Online Game)

The creators of the Second Life online world have been criticised by members over a security breach that exposed confidential information.
On 11 September all Second Life users were asked to change their password following a successful attack on one of the virtual world's core databases.

Second Lifers contacted the BBC saying they had not been given enough detail about what was exposed to hackers.

But Second Life's bosses said they had done everything to keep users informed.

Life lessons

The malicious hackers got into a database holding the names, addresses, personal information and scrambled credit card numbers of about 650,000 users of the virtual world. They reportedly broke in via a third-party web program.

Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, said it took the precaution of making all users change their password because it only knew the total size of the data stolen rather than its specifics.

Some Second Life users who contacted the BBC took Linden to task over its handling of the breach.

"To say I'm unhappy with the way Linden Labs have dealt with it is an understatement," said one Second Life member who asked to remain anonymous.

She criticised the fact that Linden Lab even maintained a database that kept scrambled credit card numbers alongside the names and addresses of Second Lifers.

The loss of the personal details would also likely prove useful to criminals, she said.

"Almost all the information you need for budding identity theft," she said.

There were fears that details for credit cards used to pay for Second Life accounts have been grabbed by criminals.

Linden had also proved "unhelpful" when she tried to get more details about what had happened and how the credit card data was scrambled.

Yep, I was disappointed that with such a hi-tech system thy run, the server got hacked. I had to change all my information aswell. Oh well, second life still is an awesome game.