• Reuters, Monday, September 11, 2006 11:15 AM

Echoing AOL's recent security gaffe, Second Life--the fast-growing online site where hundreds of thousands play out fantasy lives online--suffered a security breach over the weekend that exposed the names, addresses, passwords and some credit-card data of its nearly 650,000 users. Linden Lab, the company behind Second Life, sent a letter over the weekend to its 650,000 users detailing the extent of the problem and advising its users to follow up with their bank. According to the letter, "an intruder was able to access the Second Life databases utilizing a "Zero-Day Exploit" through third-party software utilized on Second Life servers. Due to the nature of the attack, the company cannot determine which individual data were exposed." As a precaution, Linden Lab is now requesting that each of its users enter a new password. Second Life has become a testing ground for marketers wishing to reach consumers who use this virtual online world. Brands like Coca-Cola have bought ad space and sponsorships at events in Second Life, while musicians, architects and authors have sold digital versions of their products to Second Life residents.

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