Categories: Security

Minecraft Passwords And User Names ‘Leaked’ Online

Up to 1,800 user names and passwords claiming to provide access to PC accounts on the popular Minecraft video game have been posted online, potentially exposing players to a number of security risks.

German website Heise says the affected accounts appear to belong to players located within the country and says some of the credentials have been verified.

Minecraft account hack

The breach could allow anyone to cause havoc within users’ saved games, while the login details could also be used to purchase a full version of Minecraft, which was bought by Microsoft for $2.5 billion (£1.6bn) last year.

It’s unclear how the hackers obtained the logins, but if there has been a breach at Mojang itself, the results could be catastrophic for Minecraft’s estimated 100 million players.

Security experts have said that phishing or keylogging attacks could also be responsible and warn the leak could have implications far beyond the world of Minecraft – especially if players use the same passwords for other online services and if those behind the breach have more than the initial 1,800 accounts ready to be disclosed at a later date.

Mojang did not respond to TechWeekEurope’s requests for comment at the time of publication, but its ‘choosing a good password’ page on the support section of its website has been updated today.

Do you know about Windows? Try our history quiz!

Steve McCaskill

Steve McCaskill is editor of TechWeekEurope and ChannelBiz. He joined as a reporter in 2011 and covers all areas of IT, with a particular interest in telecommunications, mobile and networking, along with sports technology.

Recent Posts

Apple, Google Mobile Ecosystems Should Be Investigated, CMA Told

CMA receives 'provisional recommendation' from independent inquiry that Apple,Google mobile ecosystem needs investigation

2 days ago

Australia Rejects Elon Musk Claim About Social Media Ban For Under-16s

Government minister flatly rejects Elon Musk's “unsurprising” allegation that Australian government seeks control of Internet…

2 days ago

Northvolt Files For Bankruptcy Protection In US

Northvolt files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, and CEO and co-founder…

2 days ago

UK’s CMA Readies Cloud Sector “Behavioural” Remedies – Report

Targetting AWS, Microsoft? British competition regulator soon to announce “behavioural” remedies for cloud sector

3 days ago

Former Policy Boss At X, Nick Pickles, Joins Sam Altman Venture

Move to Elon Musk rival. Former senior executive at X joins Sam Altman's venture formerly…

3 days ago

Bitcoin Rises Above $96,000 Amid Trump Optimism

Bitcoin price rises towards $100,000, amid investor optimism of friendlier US regulatory landscape under Donald…

3 days ago