Update [Wed 13th Jul, 2022 13:45 BST]: Bandai Namco has confirmed reports that its servers were hacked.
In a statement provided to VGC, the publisher has said it is currently assessing the scale of the attack and states that the leak of customer information is a "possibility".
Here's the text of the statement, as reported by VGC:
“On July 3, 2022, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. confirmed that it experienced an unauthorized access by third party to the internal systems of several Group companies in Asian regions (excluding Japan).
"After we confirmed the unauthorized access, we have taken measures such as blocking access to the servers to prevent the damage from spreading.
“In addition, there is a possibility that customer information related to the Toys and Hobby Business in Asian regions (excluding Japan) was included in the servers and PCs, and we are currently identifying the status about existence of leakage, scope of the damage, and investigating the cause.
“We will continue to investigate the cause of this incident and will disclose the investigation results as appropriate. We will also work with external organizations to strengthen security throughout the Group and take measures to prevent recurrence.
“We offer our sincerest apologies to everyone involved for any complications or concerns caused by this incident.”
Original Story [Tue 12th Jul, 2022 02:05 BST]: Major video game cyberattacks have become quite regular in recent years and it seems Bandai Namco is the latest victim.
Ransomware group 'BlackCat' has added the Japanese publisher and developer — known for series like Pac-Man, Dragon Ball and Elden Ring — to its list of victims.
A group that monitors malware source code online, known as 'vx-underground', was the first to spot this and share the information on social media. The same source has previously reported on other attacks - like the Nvidia one before it was officially confirmed.
BlackCat has reportedly been "ramping up" ransomware attacks over the past year, and has previously shared private employee data online, when victims refuse to comply. This includes demands for millions of dollars. It's unknown at this stage the extent of this latest incident.
Some of the biggest attacks on video game companies in recent years include the Nvidia leaks, CD Projekt Red, EA and fellow Japanese company Capcom — which saw the reveal of a number of unannounced games ahead of release.
If we hear any updates, we'll let you know.
[source twitter.com, via kotaku.com]
Comments 45
Jeeze just get a real job. What a waste of talent.
Wow, all that work “for the lolz...”
I guess major spoilers soon, like the Capcom one sadly.
I wish the best for the Bandai Namco workers right now, this is quite scary.
I hope Nintendo isn't next
edit wow I really went heavy on the I's
What, ANOTHER Diaboromon on the net? Call the Digidestined!
@Strictlystyles I've always said we would've colonized Mars by now if the folks who write this stuff would dedicate their abilities to the good of humanity and not personal gain.
They will use this as an excuse to delay digimon survive again
Wow. That’s always a terrifying prospect. I don’t have accounts with Namco but it’s only a matter of time before they go for the biggest fish…
@Tyranexx Eh, Mars is deadly and difficult and it’s a lot easier to live here. I doubt there’s any incentive for them…
It’s really sad when an article about Namco Bandai doesn’t even mention the Tales Of series ….
If Namco didn't backup their data, could they have potentially lost the source code for a lot of their older arcade games?
@BloodNinja "This includes demands for millions of dollars."
@Tyranexx oh my GOD I loved that movie!
Let me guess, they are just exposing the security of the publisher to pressure them to improve their security. That is almost every hacker ever, not buying it anymore. Bandai Namco is not going to hire or reward them.
Turns out all they found were release dates for 20 more Pac Man Compilations.
wow digital extorsion.. i hope they are happy with themselves.. it's basically a form of terrorism... some people SUCK!!!!!
I mean this is bad form and they should go to jail, but first please leak that Dark Souls 3 is being ported to Switch.
@BloodNinja What? It's called ransomware because it's like ransom...they usually do get paid the millions of dollars too so they get control of their systems back.
Happened to one of the main water plants here in America awhile back and tons of other places. The companies usually pay up discreetly it seems.
So not really for the lolz..just lots of cash.
This group must really hate the new logo.
I hate hackers and script kids so fricken much.
The top comment is right, if they got the skill to hack into one of the biggest gaming names, they should be using that talent for real jobs.
@Liam_Doolan "Appears To Have Be Hacked"? I think that was supposed to be Appears to have been hacked? 🤔
Also mega oofy. Some people are money grubbing so and so's a lot of the times. 😱
If a company pays a hacker millions then they're either stupid or doing some seriously illegal dodgy sh*t themselves
@marandahir Exactly. The planet is currently inhospitable. We could find a way to terraform some of Mars, or at least set up completely enclosed colonies for human habitation. It's a challenge, one that these minds could help solve.
...That, or I've watched too much Cowboy Bebop.
@Greatluigi Digimon: The Movie is one of my favorite movies from childhood! Well, it's more of an edited collection, but the overall package is amazing. XD
This is like an actual crime.
@Strictlystyles I know. They are capable of many great things. Just they would need to not break the law with it.
@Angelic_Lapras_King
Not a single one of the will have Ms. Pac-Man.
I hope none of the employees is afected by those hackers. That said, Has any information about games been leaked?
@Piyo Here in the States, reputable employers have the following info for their employees:
Contrary to your assertion, this data is very important. Especially to identity thieves.
Can't imagine it'd be much different in Japan.
If I was a hacker, I'd remove the blinding 100% bright white BN logo.
Everytme I boot Elden Ring, Bandai Namco logo blinds me.
Hacks are usually phishing or social engineering. That or someone leaving an admin password at the default or an unpatched system found on a scan. There's not a huge deal a skill to it. Access to the right scripts, a botnet or (most likely) a gullible employee and you're in.
@BloodNinja It's not "for the lolz" anymore and probably hasn't been for probably going on at least almost a couple decades. It's "for the $$$."
People like these deserve nothing but a few swift kicks between the legs. Get a normal job, you stupid hacks.
@Yosher Mm.... no. They deserve prison.
@TryToBeHopeful Both. How about both.
@Piyo employee information can include private data. Even having your phone #, email and address leaked can be terrible because employees will now be vulnerable to doxxing or direct threat.
Deciding that employees deserve this because of corporate BS is bad form.
Extortion is crap regardless if it’s at the “big bad corporations” or not. We already got a bozo here assuming employees will be just fine when it would be anything, but that when SSNs and other sensitive data is stolen. This is why they need to makes strides towards combatting cyber crimes.
These criminals are not Robin Hood. Those millions are not gonna go to the poor, but to their own pockets lol
Could not avoid asking if they have been Dot-Hacked?
Seriously though, these criminals aren't just stealing from the billion dollar corporation but regular people connected to their site.
@Piyo for what exactly? If you're talking GDPR and presuming your in the UK - unless you can show any loss etc that you've incurred directly related to the breach you're not going to be in for much at all. And unless you're going to move jobs shortly after then it's not the best idea. Sad but true.
If a malicious actor gets access to a network and managed to get elevated credentials you're screwed pretty much (in the Microsoft world anyway) if PII/sensitive data is stored within the company.
At least attack companies that deserve it, like Konami or EA. Leave Bamco out of it! They've been doing really good lately!
@Piyo Every company does that nowaday. If you're not collecting any data from your customers, you won't last very long
For me it's not so much about the perpetrator but more about the poor security that let them in.
Well, nothing much to do on our end except nobly avoid the possible leaks. Not that NL would cover any of those here anyway, right?
Right?
Thank God a bunch of resources have been going towards the Gary Bowser case instead of targeting ransomware hackers.
@Kermit1 Eh, if they hacked Nintendo they may find out Scrunt is coming to Switch Online in 2026.
Now I know they're working on little nightmares 3 I'm happy about that because I love those games
@KayFiOS they are pretty greedy with their fighting games though I hope Tekken 8 doesn't have like 10 season passes
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