{"id":127414,"date":"2019-01-22T20:18:17","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T19:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=127414"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:30:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:30:01","slug":"fortnite-privacy-leak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/fortnite-privacy-leak\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fortnite privacy leak we all knew was coming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-127418 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"fortnite data leak\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-664x374.jpg 664w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-238x134.jpg 238w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-436x246.jpg 436w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-304x170.jpg 304w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/Fortnite-hacked.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Fortnite is a true global phenomenon. The popular online game is played by over 80 million people and enjoys a reach so wide that it has also creeped into regular popular culture. You\u2019ll see kids on every street wearing Fortnite T-shirts and hoodies, and you\u2019ll also see major sports stars celebrating their wins and goals with celebrations taken directly from the game. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/2019\/01\/18\/netflix-fortnite-hbo-competition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Netflix pegs Fortnite as their greatest competition.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"Fortnite: Battle Royale\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sftcdn.net\/images\/t_optimized,f_auto\/p\/263a4bf9-738b-4460-a106-6dcaf2a8805b\/2343531981\/fortnite-battle-royale-Fortnite%2Fhome%2Ffn_battle_logo-1159x974-8edd8b02d505b78febe3baacec47a83c2d5215ce.png\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">Fortnite: Battle Royale<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/fortnite-battle-royale.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download Fortnite: Battle Royale  \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--100\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"100\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">10<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/fortnite-battle-royale.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>As fun as it all is, we have to remember <strong>everything that is online is vulnerable to exploitation.<\/strong> Also, anything as popular as Fortnite is likely to me a magnet for attention from all the wrong people. Hackers and <a href=\"http:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/fortnite-money-laundering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cyber-criminals will see Fortnite as a cash cow<\/a> and target Fortnite players, often young children. This has already started happening.<\/p>\n<h2>This Fortnite vulnerability left players vulnerable to invasion of privacy<\/h2>\n<p>Researchers at Security consultant firm Check Point recently discovered a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.checkpoint.com\/2019\/01\/16\/fortnite-vulnerability-where-only-the-secure-survive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fortnite vulnerability<\/a> that<strong> allowed hackers to steal Fortnite\u2019s virtual currency and even read private conversations online.<\/strong> According to Check Point the vulnerability wasn\u2019t too complicated and was easy to exploit. All they had to do was send a malicious link to the Fortnite player over social media. Once clicked, the link would register the player\u2019s Fortnite authentication token allowing access to their account without the need to enter their login details.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_127417\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-127417\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-127417\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2-300x141.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2-768x362.jpg 768w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2-1024x482.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2-1200x565.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2.jpg 1297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-127417\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image via: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.checkpoint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/fortniteblog2.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Check Point<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The high numbers of young children playing Fortnite makes this vulnerability all the more shocking. Oded Vanuu, who is the head of products vulnerability research at Check Point, said, \u201cFortnite is one of the most popular games played mainly by kids. These flaws provided the ability for a massive invasion of privacy.\u201d Children are more vulnerable to further exploitation since the malicious link also asks questions relating to their account, including <strong>any financial information<\/strong> that might be connected to the account. They\u2019re much less likely to be able to spot something out of the ordinary, meaning they\u2019re more likely to hand over the information.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-related-articles-white\">\r\n<p class=\"sc-related-articles-white__title\">Complete Fortnite Weapons Guide<\/p>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"Fortnite Sniper Rifles \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-complete-fortnite-weapons-guide-snipers\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Semi-Auto-Sniper-768x433.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Fortnite Sniper Rifles \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"Fortnite Assault Rifles\/Machine Guns \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-complete-fortnite-weapons-guide-assault-riflesmachine-guns\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/SCAR-768x433.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Fortnite Assault Rifles\/Machine Guns \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"Fortnite Pistols \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-complete-fortnite-weapons-guide-pistols\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Dual-Pistols-768x433.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Fortnite Pistols \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"Fortnite Shotguns \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-complete-fortnite-weapons-guide-shotguns\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Tactical-Shotgun-768x433.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Fortnite Shotguns \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>The\u00a0key here is that, essentially, the vulnerability relies on unsuspecting users falling for a phishing attack. The malicious link is presented as a legitimate communication from Epic Games and the victims believe it. It is always very important to <strong>think carefully when you are contacted and asked to click links or hand over your details.<\/strong> For more information on avoiding these types of scams follow <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-detect-fakescam-emails-and-avoid-phishing-attacks-hi-res-version\/\">our tutorial on how to detect fake or scam emails, websites, and social media posts<\/a>. Another key way to protect yourself from these types of scams on Fortnite is to <strong>turn on two-factor authentication<\/strong> for your account.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2017\/11\/email-logo-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">How to detect scam emails<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-detect-fakescam-emails-and-avoid-phishing-attacks-hi-res-version\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Find out now<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-detect-fakescam-emails-and-avoid-phishing-attacks-hi-res-version\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Fortunately, Check Point reported this bug to Epic Games, and <strong>it was fixed last month.<\/strong> This doesn\u2019t mean, however, that there aren\u2019t other vulnerabilities out there and that you can now let your guard down. On the contrary, this bug only indicates that it is more important than ever to remain vigilant when you\u2019re doing anything online.<\/p>\n<!-- Shortcode [playwire] does not match the conditions -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Fortnite vulnerability left players open to invasion of privacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9073,"featured_media":127418,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[1015,3150],"tags":[2532,1104,1399,1617,1126,1027],"usertag":[784,788,786,787,785,789],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-127414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-uncategorized","tag-app-subdomain-redirectionfortnite","tag-fortnite-battle-royale","tag-games","tag-gaming","tag-online","tag-security","usertag-gamer","usertag-gamer-casual","usertag-gamer-console","usertag-gamer-desktop","usertag-gamer-free","usertag-gamer-mobile"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9073"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":326734,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127414\/revisions\/326734"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127414"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=127414"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=127414"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=127414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}