Hackers Charged With Stealing From Microsoft, Epic Games, Valve, And Others

A group of four hackers have been charged with stealing data from Microsoft, Epic Games, Valve, Zombie Studios, and the U.S. Army.

More than $100 million worth of intellectual property was stolen including Xbox One and Xbox Live software and data, data related to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Gears of War 3, and Apache helicopter simulation software.

A press release from The United States Department of Justice details exactly what was stolen by the hackers:

Specifically, the data cyber-theft allegedly included source code, technical specifications and related information for Microsoft’s then-unreleased Xbox One gaming console; intellectual property and proprietary data related to Xbox Live, Microsoft’s online multi-player gaming and media-delivery system; Apache helicopter simulator software developed by Zombie Studios for the U.S. Army; a pre-release version of Epic’s video game, “Gears of War 3;” and a pre-release version of Activision’s video game, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.”  The defendants also allegedly conspired to use, share and sell the stolen information.

Two of of the four accused hackers have already pleaded guilty. The FBI and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs' investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

[Source: Justice.gov, via NPR, Joystiq]

 

Our Take
After the recent rash of unresolved hackings and assorted DDoS attacks, it's good to hear that at least one group has been cornered by the authorities.