Half Life 2 Theft Details News

Aside from last monthâ??s confirmation that a number of arrests have been made, specific details on the subject have been kept a closely guarded secret; however todayâ??s report reveals a number of interesting new facts about the investigation.

As previously known the report states that a number of arrests were made in Germany and other undisclosed countries last month. Gaining access through a security loophole in Windows, the hackers were able to download an uncompleted version and distribute it over the Net â?“ whilst a dodgy â??boxedâ? version was even found on sale on the Russian and Ukraine black markets.

It appears that the team of hackers had created their own source control client to extract the code once into Valveâ??s network. The team only noted that something was up in October 2003, when one of Gabe Newellâ??s private e-mails was displayed on the a website.

The ensuing hunt centred on two major investigations; the first led by the FBIâ??s Cybercrime Task Force, who examined the terminals for signs of the hack and attempt to discover the source of the attack; whilst the second investigation was headed by the gaming community and attracted thousands of pieces of evidence in the first couple of days.

Tracking down the source to Germany, itâ??s claimed that the primary instigator contacted Newell and admitted to breaking into Valveâ??s server, but denied any role in the theft and released a number of names who he claimed were responsible.

In a stunt that sounds more familiar with a Hollywood movie script, Valve convinced him to fly out to Seattle for a job interview in the hope of catching him in a trap; however plans were changed so that German authorities could arrest him on German soil.

The report suggests that investigations are continuing whilst Valve prepare to sue the hackers for damages; concluding that the team are working towards an â??end-of-summerâ? release.

Weâ??ll have more information soon.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk.