Editing Xbox network (section)

==Security==
Microsoft implements a number of different security measures on its Xbox network service. One of these takes the form of a proactive security check that assures that only unmodified machines may access their service. On May 17, 2007, Microsoft banned consoles with modified [[firmware]] from Xbox Live. A Microsoft representative indicated that the action was taken to assure "the integrity of the service and protect our partners and users.". According to Microsoft, consoles with firmware of unknown origin, quality or intent were banned permanently from the Xbox network.

It has been discovered that [[pretexting]] has been used to impersonate an Xbox network user for sabotage. Microsoft subsequently implemented greater security to decrease the service's susceptibility to [[social engineering (security)|social engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Xbox Live Security Update – Xbox Live's Major Nelson |date=March 23, 2007 |url=http://majornelson.com/archive/2007/03/23/xbox-live-security-update.aspx |work=majornelson.com |last=Hryb |first=Larry |access-date=March 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327205607/http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/03/23/xbox-live-security-update.aspx |archive-date=March 27, 2007 }}</ref>

In early November 2009 Microsoft banned approximately 1&nbsp;million consoles with modified firmware from Xbox Live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10395265-52.html|title=Report: Microsoft bans 1 million Xbox Live players|author=Daniel Terdiman|access-date=November 16, 2009|archive-date=March 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308222240/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10395265-52.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2011, users of Xbox Live reported having unauthorized access to their Xbox Live accounts, with Microsoft points subsequently being used and/or bought to purchase various in-game items for ''[[FIFA 12]]''. Microsoft responded to such incidents by restricting access to the account for 25 days while the fraud team investigated. Both EA and Microsoft denied the existence of a wider security breach.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/10/as-xbox-live-fifa-12-fraud-continues-microsofts-response-becomes-maddening.ars |title=As Xbox Live-FIFA 12 fraud continues, Microsoft's response becomes maddening |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=November 4, 2011 |archive-date=October 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030130401/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/10/as-xbox-live-fifa-12-fraud-continues-microsofts-response-becomes-maddening.ars |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 25, 2014, both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live suffered network disruption after a [[denial-of-service attack]].<ref name="TheNextWeb.com" /> Functionality was restored on December 28, with some users experiencing difficulties in the days that followed.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lizard Squad hackers: 'This is the biggest DDoS attack in history'|url = http://www.dailydot.com/technology/lizard-squad-hackers/|website = The Daily Dot|date = December 26, 2014|access-date = December 22, 2015|archive-date = December 21, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151221002736/http://www.dailydot.com/technology/lizard-squad-hackers/|url-status = live}}</ref>