Hey, Radeon owners: It’s time to change your password if you use the AMD Gaming Evolved software to optimize your PC games, chat with others, earn rewards, or record and stream your gameplay.
The Raptr gaming service that powers AMD’s app was hacked, Raptr CEO Dennis Fong admitted in a forum post last week. The baddies may have snatched both personal info and hashed passwords for Raptr users.
“User names, email addresses, password hashes, and some first and last names may have been accessed. This means that although the passwords are hashed, users with weak passwords are vulnerable to unauthorized access.”
Hashing uses a cryptographic algorithm to convert your password into fixed-length string of characters, obscuring it from attackers—but it’s a smart move to change your Raptr/AMD Gaming Evolved password anyways, just to be safe.
Speaking of staying safe, here’s where I’ll whip out the obligatory security reminders that can protect you from danger in these hack-filled days.
Using a different password for every site can help minimize the potential damage if a service you use is indeed hacked, as attackers will often try to use the swiped login/password combinations on other services. Password manager software (like LastPass, Dashlane, or the free-but-clunkier KeePass) can help you both create and manage strong, unique passwords for everything you use. Dashlane and LastPass can even change all your passwords with a single click.
If you’d rather stick to manual security, here’s how to build better passwords without losing your mind.
And while you’re at it, enabling two-factor authentication with any service that supports it can help keep attackers out of your account if they do wind up getting hold of one of your passwords. Here’s how to set up 2FA with Facebook, Google, and more.
“It’s important to note that our two-factor authentication system used for redeeming Raptr Reward Points ensures that even if your Raptr account was among those compromised, the points you’ve earned as a Raptr member are protected,” says Fong.
Fong didn’t say how many users were affected by the security breach, however. The AMD Gaming Evolved client powered by Raptr is installed by default alongside Radeon graphics card drivers unless you manually opt not to install it.
[Via Tom’s Hardware]