Hackers Devastate ‘Second Life’ – The Virtual Island of Online Game

Hackers have devastated the costly virtual island of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in the online game 'Second Life'. News.ninemsn published this on May 23, 2007.

The ABC said there had been virtual vandalism on its island found in the other universe where firms are trying to make their virtual presence.

Abigail Thomas, head of strategic development in ABC Innovation who operates the 'island' said a hacker had "bombed" it that destroyed the different features the users had created over time. News24 published this on May 22, 2007.

Ms. Thomas said that her company would be examining the security measures in detail, investigate how the hackers managed to break the security and, certainly add necessary changes to safeguard the future developments of the island. News24 published this on May 22, 2007.

It seems some huge cyber bomb blasted off the ABC site, said Craig Preston, head of technology for ABC Innovation. Somebody nuked the company site in some form and has erased almost every item from it. News.ninemsn published this on May 23, 2007.

The virtual island is in the shape of ABC's logo. It has multiple features by which gamers can listen to melodious music, hear discussions and talks, and watch videos pertaining to the broadcaster's shows.

The hackers, however, removed some features of the island like a virtual amphitheater and a "Sandbox". Linden Labs, a company based in San Francisco that runs Second Life was on the island's restoration job, Thomas said. News24 published this on May 22, 2007.

Just as mischief and violence exists in real world, so are they in the virtual realm. Very recently, quarrelsome Spanish politics penetrated the virtual world as socialist and conservative parties' supporters were engaged in burning one another's party offices on Second Life.

On May 22, 2007, ABC's island was once again running fine after several hours of restoration work. The cyber criminals had left logos belonging to sports companies - Nike and Puma on the island. According to the speculation, rival companies against ABC were responsible for the virtual attacks.

Developed in 2003, Second Life has 6 million members around the world.

Related article: Hackers Redirect Windows Live Search to Malicious Sites

» SPAMfighter News - 5/30/2007