Electronic Arts (EA) is investigating a recent data breach in which some of its game source code and related tools were stolen, the video game publisher said on Thursday, becoming the latest victim of a spate of cyber attacks on US companies.
The publisher of titles like Battlefield, Apex Legends and Madden NFL 21 said it does not expect the breach to have an impact on its games or business and that it was working with law enforcement and other experts as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Motherboard earlier reported that hackers had stolen a wealth of data, including source codes for popular title Fifa 21 and source code and tools for Frostbite engine, a software development toolset for game creators.
Overall, hackers stole about 780 gigabytes of data and also advertised it for sale on several underground hacking forum posts, the report said.
"No player data was accessed, and we have no reason to believe there is any risk to player privacy," the company stated.
Hacking activity against corporations in the US and other countries has increased as digital thieves have been able to take advantage of security weakened by work-from-home policies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The breach comes on the heels of high-profile cyber attacks on meatpacking company JBS USA and Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the US.
Shares of EA fell as much as 2.4 per cent to a session low of $142.31.
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
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