Digital Journal — It’s bad enough to worry about the threat of real-life identity theft. Now, online gamers can get all sweaty with the growing concern about hackers breaking into an expansive e-vault.
This weekend, Second Life — the fastest-growing site where hundreds of thousands of people join a fantasy world online — suffered a serious security breach that exposed personal data of its users. More than 650,000 people have joined Second Life.
According to Linden Lab, the San Francisco-based company behind the site, a hacker broke into a database holding customer information, including real-life names, addresses, passwords and some credit card data. A second database with unencrypted credit card data was not compromised.
To allay any fears, Linden Lab sent an email to all its users about the problem and asked them to choose a new password. “While we realize this is an inconvenience for residents, we believe it’s the safest course of action,” the company said in a statement.
Linden Lab added that additional security plans will be announced on their blog, found at blog.secondlife.com.
What does this mean for fans of massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs)? New members will be wary about joining sites that can’t guarantee security protection, a promise not every company can make. After all, hackers can exploit any site than even lets one hairline crack fracture their security options.
Then again, Second Life’s breach will not likely deter hardcore users. MMOGs have escalated to a fanatical level where virtual reality takes on new meaning. Bricks-and-mortar stores are starting to join these fantasy worlds, such as American Apparel’s move to create digital copies of its stores in Second Life to sell virtual clothes to members.
As the line between video game and online business blurs, so will the definition of “identity theft.” If people join worlds like Second Life to escape real-life problems, they better think again: No one is safe from crimes against online humanity.
