Fortnite security flaw allows hackers to SPY on young players and steal the in-game currency
- A flaw in the log-in protocol exposed the account of players to hackers
- Hackers ceased the token needed to log in and gifted them account credentials
- It gave them total access to a player's personal information and bank details
- Hackers could listen to a player's microphone and also but in-game V-bucks
A security flaw with gaming sensation Fortnite has exposed player accounts to hackers.
Gaming security experts found a vulnerability which allowed criminals to obtain log-in information and cease control.
This includes listening to personal conversations via microphones, access to personal information and use of card details to buy in-game currency.
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Fortnite is showing no signs of slowing down in its quest to dominate the gaming world. The game has amassed 200 million users - a 60% jump from the 125 million users it had in June
Researchers from Check Point found the weakness in the game and claim it allows criminals to obtain a person's log in credentials, giving them autonomy over the account.
Attackers would also be able to listen and record conversations that occur during game-play.
This includes background sounds and conversations picked up from the microphone of the player.
Vulnerabilities were discovered in the log in procedure of Fortnite which uses a token orientated procedure.
If users accidentally click on a hoax phishing link that appears to come from a legitimate Epic Games domain the token can be ceased by the hackers.
Once this has occurred the criminal has the ability to cease an account.
Fortnite has only become more popular as developer Epic Games Inc. made the game available on a variety of platforms, including iOS, the Nintendo Switch and Android
Oded Vanunu, Head of Products Vulnerability Research for Check Point, said: 'Fortnite is one of the most popular games played mainly by kids. These flaws provided the ability for a massive invasion of privacy.'
Epic Games, developers of Fortnite in the US, were alerted to the weakness by the researchers and have since fixed the loophole.
'These platforms are being increasingly targeted by hackers because of the huge amounts of sensitive customer data they hold,' said Mr Vanunu.
'Enforcing two-factor authentication could mitigate this account takeover vulnerability.'
WHAT IS FORTNITE?
Fortnite is a game that originally launched as a disk back in July 2017 and was then turned into a free-to-download game by its developer, Epic Games, in September.
There are three forms of the game: 'Battle Royale', 'Save The World' and 'Playground'.
Save the world is the original form of the game and is currently not available to play as part of the free-to-download game, instead it comes as part of a £30 ($40) extra.
It is a co-op mode with a story that's playable solo or online with friends.
Fortnite is a battle royale-style survival shooter where players create a superhero avatar and compete against each other on a dystopian island
Users compete in teams of up to three to complete a variety of missions.
It is rumoured that the game will be added to the free-to-play version of the game in the future.
Whilst Save The World may be the original version of the game, its sister mode is by far the most popular.
Battle Royale is a game of survival where players create a superhero avatar and compete against each other on a dystopian island.
Each game, or 'match' as each competition is known, starts with 100 players.
The aim of the game is to be the last one standing. Users can form allegiances and play in small groups.
To enable this and the interactive experience, the game allows completely open communication between players.
Inspired by the Hunger Games novels and films, gamers search for weapons to help them survive.
Armed with quirky weapons and amusing dances, the game has swept across the gaming world, with children flocking to it.
While there is no exact figure on how many children play Fortnite, the game has so far pulled in an audience of over 125 million players.
Playground is the latest addition to the game and is a consequence free mode with more loot and unlimited respawning to allow players to get creative.
It involved groups of up to four people working as a team and the players can hone their skills as the practise in advance of entering Battle Royale where they will face better players.
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