Xbox Live not hacked: Microsoft

Q: When is a hack not a hack?

A: When it’s a phish.

That’s the distinction Microsoft has been forced to point out in response to an article in The Sun claiming online thieves had ‘hacked into’ thousands of Xbox Live accounts.

The article states that crooks conned Xbox Live users into handing over their account details by sending them emails offering free Microsoft points.

However, the article describes the perpetrators as ‘hackers’, which implies a breach of Microsoft’s own security systems.

‘Xbox Live has not been hacked,” Microsoft says in a statement on its Facebook page.

"There has been no breach to the security of our Xbox Live service.”

Microsoft goes on to confirm its users have fallen victim to phishing scams, and publish a warning about keeping personal information secure and not opening or responding to unsolicited emails.

Unfortunately, some users seem unconvinced, with posters responding to Microsoft’s message swearing that they have not been phished.

"This is a massive cover-up by Microsoft,” one user writes, "a transparent attempt to shift blame onto the users by implying that they’re being careless with their passwords.”

What do you think? Is it a hack, or is it a phish? Post your comments below.