Konami preempts "cybercriminal" attack with new online security

Konami's to adopt Digipass online security for e-Amusement Gate and its Konami Style shopping service in a preemptive strike against dreaded "cybercriminals".

"Cybercriminals have a real economic incentive to acquire online gaming accounts as it offers a good return for relatively low risks," Digipass owner Vasco said in a press release today.

"With fraud statistics on the rise, game developer Konami realized the need to implement a security solution for its community site e-Amusement Gate and its online shopping channel Konami Style."

Users will now be able to use a one-button autheticator to access Konami's services.

"At Konami we realize that our customers are our most important assets. Konami continues to strive to provide gaming players around the globe with an enjoyable gaming experience and 'valuable time'," said Mitsuhiro Masanobu, director of IT studio center at Konami.

This year has seen an unprecedented rise in instances of hacking and general cyber-crime in the games industry. Sony was the major victim, suffering a devastating PSN breach in April.

The ostensibly impenetrable Valve was exposed this month, with intruders gaining access to confidential user information.

Nexon became the latest firm to be compromised only this morning, warning that over 13 million Korean accounts had potentially been accessed.