GLOBAL RESEARCH SYNDICATE
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Latest News
  • Consumer Research
  • Survey Research
  • Marketing Research
  • Industry Research
  • Data Collection
  • More
    • Data Analysis
    • Market Insights
  • Latest News
  • Consumer Research
  • Survey Research
  • Marketing Research
  • Industry Research
  • Data Collection
  • More
    • Data Analysis
    • Market Insights
No Result
View All Result
globalresearchsyndicate
No Result
View All Result
Home Data Collection

The Gathering’ game maker exposed 452,000 players’ account data – TechCrunch

globalresearchsyndicate by globalresearchsyndicate
November 16, 2019
in Data Collection
0
The Gathering’ game maker exposed 452,000 players’ account data – TechCrunch
0
SHARES
6
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The maker of Magic: The Gathering has confirmed that a security lapse exposed the data on hundreds of thousands of game players.

The game’s developer, the Washington-based Wizards of the Coast, left a database backup file in a public Amazon Web Services storage bucket. The database file contained user account information for the game’s online arena. But there was no password on the storage bucket, allowing anyone to access the files inside.

The bucket is not believed to have been exposed for long — since around early-September — but it was long enough for U.K. cybersecurity firm Fidus Information Security to find the database.

A review of the database file showed there were 452,634 players’ information, including about 470 email addresses associated with Wizards’ staff. The database included player names and usernames, email addresses, and the date and time of the account’s creation. The database also had user passwords, which were hashed and salted, making it difficult but not impossible to unscramble.

None of the data was encrypted. The accounts date back to at least 2012, according to our review of the data.

A formatted version of the database backup file, redacted, containing 452,000 user records. (Image: TechCrunch)

Fidus reached out to Wizards of the Coast but did not hear back. It was only after TechCrunch reached out that the game maker pulled the storage bucket offline.

Bruce Dugan, a spokesperson for the game developer, told TechCrunch in a statement: “We learned that a database file from a decommissioned website had inadvertently been made accessible outside the company.”

“We removed the database file from our server and commenced an investigation to determine the scope of the incident,” he said. “We believe that this was an isolated incident and we have no reason to believe that any malicious use has been made of the data,” but the spokesperson did not provide any evidence for this claim.

“However, in an abundance of caution, we are notifying players whose information was contained in the database and requiring them to reset their passwords on our current system,” he said.

Harriet Lester, Fidus’ director of research and development, said it was “surprising in this day and age that misconfigurations and lack of basic security hygiene still exist on this scale, especially when referring to such large companies with a userbase of over 450,000 accounts.”

“Our research team work continuously, looking for misconfigurations such as this to alert companies as soon as possible to avoid the data falling into the wrong hands. It’s our small way of helping make the internet a safer place,” she told TechCrunch.

The game maker said it informed the U.K. data protection authorities about the exposure, in line with breach notification rules under Europe’s GDPR regulations. The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office did not immediately return an email to confirm the disclosure.

Companies can be fined up to 4% of their annual turnover for GDPR violations.

Related Posts

How Machine Learning has impacted Consumer Behaviour and Analysis
Consumer Research

How Machine Learning has impacted Consumer Behaviour and Analysis

January 4, 2024
Market Research The Ultimate Weapon for Business Success
Consumer Research

Market Research: The Ultimate Weapon for Business Success

June 22, 2023
Unveiling the Hidden Power of Market Research A Game Changer
Consumer Research

Unveiling the Hidden Power of Market Research: A Game Changer

June 2, 2023
7 Secrets of Market Research Gurus That Will Blow Your Mind
Consumer Research

7 Secrets of Market Research Gurus That Will Blow Your Mind

May 8, 2023
The Shocking Truth About Market Research Revealed!
Consumer Research

The Shocking Truth About Market Research: Revealed!

April 25, 2023
market research, primary research, secondary research, market research trends, market research news,
Consumer Research

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research. How to choose the Right Research Method for Your Business Needs

March 14, 2023
Next Post
Global and Regional Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) Industry Production, Sales and Consumption Status and Prospects Professional Market Research Report 2019-2024

Global and Regional Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) Industry Production, Sales and Consumption Status and Prospects Professional Market Research Report 2019-2024

Categories

  • Consumer Research
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Collection
  • Industry Research
  • Latest News
  • Market Insights
  • Marketing Research
  • Survey Research
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Ipsos Revolutionizes the Global Market Research Landscape
  • How Machine Learning has impacted Consumer Behaviour and Analysis
  • Market Research: The Ultimate Weapon for Business Success
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Antispam
  • DMCA

Copyright © 2024 Globalresearchsyndicate.com

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • Consumer Research
  • Survey Research
  • Marketing Research
  • Industry Research
  • Data Collection
  • More
    • Data Analysis
    • Market Insights

Copyright © 2024 Globalresearchsyndicate.com