Microsoft helps Xbox Live phishing victims

On the Xbox forums. many users have reported that phishers – sites or companies that pose as other sites/companies to get login information – have squeezed vital account details from many XBOX Live users and sabotaged many Live accounts. Now Microsoft has accepted that phishers pose a threat to XBOX Live security and is taking steps to extenuate the problem to protect user interests.

Phishers have been sending e-mails, claiming to be from Xbox Live Support, notifying them of an overhaul of the online service. Then they request the users to enter sensitive account details in a page that resembles the Microsoft login page. This inadvertent leak of sensitive information puts the Live account at the mercy of the nefarious phishers.

Microsoft is taking steps to prevent the phishers from further imperiling Xbox Live and fraudulently assuming control over user accounts. Microsoft is working closely with the customer support staff, retraining them and briefing them about ways to get around the problem. It is also updating account recovery procedures. But Microsoft has asked the consumers to try and not fall into the trap set by phishers.

It has also promised to compensate the users for their losses For instance, the users that lost any XBLA content will be provided with a replacement for free.

Microsoft rightly maintains that it’s not a software failure for which it can be directly held responsible. The fact that Microsoft is willing to help the Xbox Live users victimized by phishers is commendable.

Read [Next-Gen] via [CVG]