Konami upgrades security in pre-emptive move against hackers

By Jake Denton for computerandvideogames.com

In a pre-emptive strike against cyber criminals, Konami is to adopt Digipass online security for e-Amusement Gate and its Konami Style shopping service.

In a press release today, Digipass owner Vasco said "Cybercriminals have a real economic incentive to acquire online gaming accounts as it offers a good return for relatively low risks.

"With fraud statistics on the rise, game developer Konami realized the need to implement a security solution for its community site e-Amusement Gate and its online shopping channel Konami Style."

The press release explains how consumers will be protected by using a one-button authenticator to access Konami's services.

"The company implemented VASCO's VACMAN Controller authentication back-end software in combination with DIGIPASS technology allowing its customers to log-on securely to Konami's online services," it reads.

"Customers can choose for DIGIPASS GO 6 one-button authenticator KONAMI one-time password service. VASCO's strong authentication provides a solid defence against keyloggers and identity theft and adds an additional security layer offering Konami's customers adequate protection."

Following the PSN hack back in April, Steam was breached earlier this month, with the intruders making off with information such as user names, hashed and salted passwords, game purchases, email addresses, billing addresses and possibly encrypted credit card information, though Valve states there is no evidence to support this. Still, keeping a close eye on your credit card activity is advised.

Only this morning, South Korean online gaming firm Nexon warned that over 13 million user accounts may have been compromised.