Hacking Epidemic Sweeps Across Alphaville and TSO
by Alphaville Herald on 25/04/04 at 10:58 pm
by The Phantom
Hacking on TSO has been with us from the beginning. Lately, however, the matter has been spinning wildly out of control, with account hacks being reported by money traders, scammers, AVG Government officials and just about anyone who could be expected to have a pile of simoleans. Not surprisingly, EA has been sitting on its hands through all of this, leading some to speculate that the wiped equity in these accounts may have come at the hands of EA itself ? an act which, though morally reprehensible, would not be obviously illegal. The worst recent case involves reports that famed bot programmer Nyk was hacked and as a consequence lost 300 million simoleans (about $15,000 US assuming a price of $50 per mil). Another anonymous trader reports that he “logged into AV … 3 of my sims that had over 500k each (2 had quite a bit over that) now have 0 simoleans!”
The hacking epidemic may not have a single source, but it is worthwhile to review some of the recent cases of hacked accounts.
Allegedly Hacked
Nyk — lost 300 million
Anonymous trader ? lost over 1.5 million
Fans ? acct. wiped out, credit taken by Mr. and Mrs. President Bradley
Evangeline ? credit taken by Mr. and Mrs. President Bradley
Eliana ? acct. wiped out
Nick ? lost 800K, allegedly by Alia C
Other money traders have detected attempts to infiltrate their accounts. For example one trader began receiving reminders of his password, suggesting that a hacker already had his email account was fishing for tso acct. password. Everyone should be on high alert!
EA’s apparent indifference to all this (they told Fans that “Were sorry we can’t do anything. We can’t handle in-game issues.”) is pretty remarkable given the recent court precedent set in China, where a court ruled that a game company was responsible for game objects lost due to hacking.
Dyerbrook
Apr 25th, 2004
I don’t believe it is possible to hack into users’ accounts so easily. I’ve never believed it about Mia Wallace and the SSG. I think she did it to herself. Other hacks I’ve heard about today make me think it was the people on the lot. But of course the other answer is Maxis. And I never, never rule out that there is an evil hand in the midst of Maxis. I have seen them do some really cruel things to me and my lot, for example. “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport.”
Urizenus
Apr 25th, 2004
In the mia wallace case, according to Van he guessed their password. who knows.
RB
Apr 25th, 2004
Dyerbrook, those may be dubious attention getting stories. But this latest stuff is for real. it is taking place right now.
- RB
Funky
Apr 26th, 2004
I cannot really feel bad about the 300 million since it was cheated money anyway.
Had that 300 million hit the street it would be even more devastating for economy.
The Undertaker
Apr 26th, 2004
I believe it is easy to hack into peoples accounts if you have a Trojan Horse virus in your computer. Anyone can and will go into your account if they have you personal information. All you need to do is download the file or visit the website link they send you and your on your way to be hacked till high heaven. Just my 2 cents.
The Undertaker…
Leader Of Ministry Of Darkness…
Your personal death clock…
Dyerbrook
Apr 26th, 2004
Is some kind of cookie with the information about your password to TSO preserved in a file on your computer? Because if it isn’t, unless you yourself have written it down and made a file, how can they do this? It’s true that in order to operate the game, you have to shut off Norton Internet Protection or else manually go through a zillion queries as you download TSO. If you have Norton or some other protection turned on most of the time, i.e. to screen e-mail, how are they going to hit you with a Trojan virus? I don’t buy it.
As far as “guessing” passwords, well, you’d have to be a genius or have a supercomputer.
DB
Dyerbrook
Apr 26th, 2004
I do want to ask another question. Did all of these victims of hacking come by their zillions of simoleons “legally”? If somebody has 3 trillion simoleons from making bots, and Maxis/EA wiped out their account, would they be within their rights? I have heard of at least one victim of an alleged hacking who appears to have made the simoleons the legal way, but of the list you’ve provided here, it seems most are ill-gotten gains, no?
Ian
Apr 26th, 2004
Dyerbrook – it is a trojan – which you your self download, unknowningly. It is basically a key logger.
Dyerbrook
Apr 26th, 2004
But you wouldn’t download a trojan if you have a protective software. I personally haven’t been hacked lately and had anything stolen. But what I am perplexed at, as are Maxis engineers, so they claim, as to why, when I attempt to change my neighborhood name, so as to get away from all those SSG, etc. villains who made a prop around me called “Death Becomes You,” I couldn’t. Merely pressing on my existing neighborhood made my game crash. And yet logging on with any other accounts or Sims, I had no trouble changing my neighborhood. It was exclusive to Dyerbrook. I am perplexed by this. I was also locked out of all my Sim houses for a time. It was extremely wierd. So I do wonder about this capacity.
Dyerbrook
Apr 26th, 2004
But you wouldn’t download a trojan if you have a protective software. I personally haven’t been hacked lately and had anything stolen. But what I am perplexed at, as are Maxis engineers, so they claim, as to why, when I attempt to change my neighborhood name, so as to get away from all those SSG, etc. villains who made a prop around me called “Death Becomes You,” I couldn’t. Merely pressing on my existing neighborhood made my game crash. And yet logging on with any other accounts or Sims, I had no trouble changing my neighborhood. It was exclusive to Dyerbrook. I am perplexed by this. I was also locked out of all my Sim houses for a time. It was extremely wierd. So I do wonder about this capacity.
Dyerbrook
Apr 26th, 2004
But you wouldn’t download a trojan if you have a protective software. I personally haven’t been hacked lately and had anything stolen. But what I am perplexed at, as are Maxis engineers, so they claim, as to why, when I attempt to change my neighborhood name, so as to get away from all those SSG, etc. villains who made a prop around me called “Death Becomes You,” I couldn’t. Merely pressing on my existing neighborhood made my game crash. And yet logging on with any other accounts or Sims, I had no trouble changing my neighborhood. It was exclusive to Dyerbrook. I am perplexed by this. I was also locked out of all my Sim houses for a time. It was extremely wierd. So I do wonder about this capacity.
Ian
Apr 26th, 2004
Dyerbrook – keyword “unknowningly”
Quoted from “which you your self download, unknowningly”
Fans II
Apr 26th, 2004
lol, You better belive I will take EA to court if they don’t stop these childish hackers going around. If I knew the address of Mr/s President Bradley I could easily look up the site for the nearest FBI Headquaters and phone them and have them take care of the rest.
Mrs President Bradley
Apr 27th, 2004
LMAO…I Live in Pompano Beach. Come and get me:)
VAN
Apr 27th, 2004
ATTENTION. MY YAHOO ACCOUNT SIM_BITCH69 HAS BEEN HACKED BY PRESIDENT BRADLEY. DONT TRUST ANY INFORMATION OR FILES FROM THAT YAHOO NAME. I AM NOW AT YAHOO ID: HOTELEROTICA WICH WAS MY FIRST YAHOO ID SINCE HOTEL EROTICAS WEBSITE OPENED IN 2002/2003
Funky
Apr 27th, 2004
hehe like we care that Evangeline’s account is hacked. Nothing better to hear scammers and other turds are making each other’s lives miserably!
Viva T
Apr 27th, 2004
I hacked Eliana/Lucianna’s accounts and stole his 3,9 mil simoleans and got one of his accounts banned.
Eliana, didnt you say you will get revenge on me because i scammed your handicap friend Celestie before?
Anyways when? *Yawns!* ur a loser =)
Viva T
Apr 27th, 2004
Sorry i mean it was Nick and i who hacked Lucianna’s accounts.
Celestie
Apr 27th, 2004
Viva, let’s make two things clear. I am NOT friends with wannabe/lier Kevin, and stop trying to hurt my feelings you are so pathetic for trying.
Nick
Apr 27th, 2004
Viva, I’m going to say it once, and you’d better listen. I don’t give a flying fuck what you or any other shithead thinks. It’s obvious you’re lying about you and I hacking Kevin’s account. First, I have all his info, I wouldn’t need to “hack”. Second, Kevin and I trust each other with our lives, so you can go and shove it. Pull your head of out of your ass and get a fucking life, then come back and see if anyone gives a rats ass about your pathetic miserable little attempts for attention and to ruin other people. I suggest looking at http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/negative7.jpg and http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/negative10.jpg long and hard, do a self examination, see a psychiatric therapist, and FUCK OFF.
Viva T
Apr 27th, 2004
Nick, ur lying! You told me Kevin’s usename (simoleanf*b) and password! you wanted me to hack his account. Dont you remember it?! Please stop lieing!
Nick
Apr 28th, 2004
Viva, fuck you. How you got that is beyond me. ALSO, Kevin’s banned sim wasn’t on simoleanf*b, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Viva T
Apr 28th, 2004
But i already stole his 3,9 mil simoleans.
the Simoleanf*b account is worthless
Nick
Apr 28th, 2004
True, but you’re just proving to everyone that I didn’t help you
And I quote “Nick, ur lying! You told me Kevin’s usename (simoleanf*b) and password! you wanted me to hack his account. Dont you remember it?! Please stop lieing!”
Celestie
Apr 29th, 2004
Hahaha, Viva is so silly, Nick. Of course we all know you didn’t help her hack his account. Infact, I find it hard to believe that Viva T is smart enough to hack an account. She isn’t in college, she can’t drive, and she spent ALL day for months untill 5:00am her time. If you ask me that is a pathetic cry for help. Viva, It’s not normal to be a crossdresser and speaking honestly, I think if you really are a crossdresser you need to see a doctor. I suppose I shouldn’t waste my time on trying to help you but I really think you need to see a doctor. There is nothing to be ashamed of just look in your phone book.
Viva T
Apr 30th, 2004
“She isn’t in college, she can’t drive”