Hackers discover algorithm to generate Microsoft Points

Thu 10 Mar 2011 10:17am GMT / 5:17am EST / 2:17am PST
Online

Microsoft reportedly scammed out of $1.2m in XBLA sales

Microsoft

microsoft.com

Microsoft was reportedly scammed out of around $1.2 million in virtual currency early this week, due to hackers devising an algorithm that allowed used Microsoft Points codes to be recycled.

The group offered 'free' Microsoft Points on their website, reports SaveandQuit, while the tool to regenerate the codes was hosted on popular filesharing services.

One user claimed to have amassed $150 in personal points within 20 minutes. Microsoft was able to close down the exploit in a timely fashion, but third-party calculations claim losses before then topped $1 million.

Reportedly, the nature of the scam means Microsoft may not be able to identify which XBLA accounts used the generated codes.

4 Comments

Werner Nemetz
Loc QA Lead

Activision Blizzard Ireland

Still supporting fully hackers MS?

Posted:2 years ago

#1

Diarmuid Murphy
Developer Marketing

Microsoft

there is a difference homebrew to create new features and hackers (theft).

Posted:2 years ago

#2

Richard Alpagot

Points are currency. This this equates to printing money and thus totally illegal ;-)

I'm a big fan of their rewards.xbox.com as personally I don't often buy points but at least I have a way to (slowly) accumulate some for free. It's a nice touch. It's almost like bank interest for staying loyal.

Posted:2 years ago

#3

Werner Nemetz
Loc QA Lead

Activision Blizzard Ireland

They didn`t seem to concerned about what kind of hacking was done on the PS3 just happy that it was hacked in any kind of way and shoot of some comments to make fun about Sony.

Posted:2 years ago

#4

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