Skype's social media accounts targeted by hacker group

Skype said its social media properties were targeted, with a group styling itself as the Syrian Electronic Army appearing to claim credit for the hacks.

"You may have noticed our social media properties were targeted today," Skype said in a Twitter message late Wednesday. "No user info was compromised. We're sorry for the inconvenience."

Skype's Twitter account, blog and Facebook page appeared to have been attacked by the SEA, a group that supports the Syrian government, according to reports. The Skype blog was still inaccessible late Wednesday and redirected users to the Skype home page.

IDG News Service - Skype said its social media properties were targeted, with a group styling itself as the Syrian Electronic Army appearing to claim credit for the hacks.

"You may have noticed our social media properties were targeted today," Skype said in a Twitter message late Wednesday. "No user info was compromised. We're sorry for the inconvenience."

Skype's Twitter account, blog and Facebook page appeared to have been attacked by the SEA, a group that supports the Syrian government, according to reports. The Skype blog was still inaccessible late Wednesday and redirected users to the Skype home page.

The SEA reproduced in a Twitter message a copy of what appeared to be its message using the Skype account on Twitter. The message read: "Don't use Microsoft emails(hotmail,outlook),They are monitoring your accounts and selling the data to the governments.More details soon #SEA". It did not figure by late Wednesday on Skype's Twitter feed.

SEA later posted on Twitter contact information purportedly of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, stating: You can thank Microsoft for monitoring your accounts/emails using this details.

The attack on Skype's social media accounts appears to be linked to disclosures through newspapers by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden that Internet companies allegedly provide the agency real-time access to content on their servers for surveillance purposes.

The SEA has targeted previously many high-profile websites and Twitter accounts. In August, an attack purportedly by SEA on Melbourne IT, an Australian domain registrar, affected the websites of The New York Times, Twitter and other top companies.

John Ribeiro covers outsourcing and general technology breaking news from India for The IDG News Service. Follow John on Twitter at @Johnribeiro. John's e-mail address is john_ribeiro@idg.com

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.

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Block Fortress - Foursaken Media

*** SALE!!! Get Block Fortress for 50% off for a very limited time! ***

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Block Fortress gives you the freedom to create a stronghold in almost any way you can imagine, and then puts you in the middle of the action trying to defend it from the relentless attacks of the menacing Goblocks! Put your skills as both a builder and a fighter to the test as you try to survive as long as you can!

Features:

• a unique mix of TD and FPS gameplay
• complete freedom to build your base any way you choose, from towering fortresses, to sprawling castles
• customize your blocks, weapons, and equipment using a massive crafting system
• fortify your walls with over 30 different building blocks
• defend your base with 16 advanced turret types
• gear up your avatar with tons of weapons and equipment
• lots of support blocks - including power generators, depth charges, land mines, spotlights, teleporters, and more
• day and night cycle - build lights and spotlights to prepare yourself for the harsh night!
• several game modes, including a "free build" sandbox mode and a more intense survival mode
• 6 different types of terrain to conquer
• Upload and share your creations, and download others

Thanks again to all of you for making Block Fortress such a success! We've still got a bunch more things planned for this game. For now, enjoy these extra features and bug fixes, and we'll continue to work on adding the big stuff you've been asking for... including co-op multiplayer!

• added a system to upload, share, and rate bases in sandbox mode
• added a new motion sensor block that can detect shadows
• added a flat plains terrain location
• you can now build terrain blocks in sandbox mode
• added a day and night toggle in sandbox mode
• fixed a crash that would happen every time a land mine or depth charge exploded
• you can now delete granite blocks in sandbox mode (allowing you to dig caves)
• major memory optimizations, allowing for bigger maps on lower RAM devices, and bigger maps in sandbox mode on all devices
• fixed an exploit that could make shadows wander around indefinitely without attacking
• added a link in the “Guide” section to the official IGN wiki - check it out, add your tips and strategies, and promote your uploaded fortresses!
• enemies now drop multiple coins based on the size of their reward (every coin is equal to up to 5 gold, so an enemy that rewards 20 gold will drop 4 coins)
• increased the time enemy coins persist before they disappear
• greatly increased the block and enemy selection distance when in FPS mode
• fixed a bug that would cause stats to be adjusted incorrectly when some mods were removed
• fixed some inaccurate mod descriptions
• removed salvage mod from nuke blocks (which caused an exploit)
• changed the R.O.F. mod on heavy plasma to a reload mod
• you can now hold down the up and down arrows to continuously fly up and down
• swapped the inverse look options (so they control the correct camera rotations now)
• tweaked the icon
• other bug fixes

Stay tuned for more, and if you've been enjoying the game, tell your friends!

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