On Thursday, Apple shut down their developer’s website after the company’s technicians identified a security breach. Although no reason was initially given for the site’s takedown, a notice was put up yesterday confirming an attempted hacking. The site is still unavailable, with the notice stating that while encrypted passwords and credit card information should be protected, it is possible that usernames and email addresses were compromised:
While most major technology companies - including Microsoft and Facebook - have been victims of hacking attempts in the past, this is the first time Apple has publicly acknowledged a security breach on this scale. The breach has only affected developer accounts as opposed to regular Apple or iTunes accounts.
Hacks of high-profile sites have grown increasingly common in the last few years. No matter how robust a company’s server security is, they are still likely to be the victim of relentless, aggressive hacking attempts. With few weeks going by without reports of yet another serious compromise, it does of course emphasise the continuing need for smart personal online security - especially in terms of keeping different passwords for different sites.
Widespread hacking
Although the Apple hack has not affected general users, other incidents have been much more widespread.
Perhaps the most devastating hack was the one against Sony’s Playstation Network in April 2011. An estimated 77 million accounts were affected, with fears that password and credit card details were compromised (there were, however, no confirmed reports of major credit card fraud).
Sony was criticised for their delayed response, and were ultimately subject to investigations by the US House of Representatives and the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (who imposed a fine of €290,000). Sony’s eventual response to users included public apologies from several of the company’s executives and a number of free games and services being offered to all account holders.
In the years since, companies including NBC, LivingSocial and (more recently) Ubisoft have experienced major database compromises. Hacking can take place on a national & political scale, with the US regularly accussing China of being responsible for attempted security breaches (and vice versa). On sites like Twitter and Facebook, hacks of individual accounts are more common. Victims of Twitter hacks include Associated Press, The Guardian and Burger King:
Although Google has mostly avoided any major security breaches, many individual accounts have been temporarily hacked by malicious attacks. Earlier this month, it was announced that a significant security hole in the company’s forthcoming Google Glass was fixed. By using code hidden in a simple QR code, a hacker could gain full access to an individual device.
