Amazon tightens security after hacking scandal

Security is a vital part of our life. That’s why when we heard that Mat Honan’s iCloud account was hacked on Monday this week, we immediately followed the story. Apple was quick to respond by freezing the functionality to allow Apple ID password changes over the phone. Online retail giant Amazon is also doing the same by changing its customer privacy policies to close the security gaps that were exploited in the hack. But unlike Apple who previously said that the password freezing will only be temporary, Amazon has told Wired that they will no longer allow customers to change their account settings over the phone.

“We have investigated the reported exploit, and can confirm that the exploit has been closed as of yesterday afternoon,” an Amazon spokesman said. The hackers reportedly used the last four digits on the credit card linked to Honan’s Amazon account to access his Apple ID account as well as his Gmail and Twitter accounts. And the rest was history for Mat Honan who said, “In the space of one hour, my entire digital life was destroyed.”

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: Web
Tags: Amazon, Security