Nintendo Confirms U.S. Server Hacked, No Info Lost

We understand why LulzSec chose to target PBS, Sony, and the FBI. But why they chose to attack Nintendo escapes us.

Perhaps the hacker group, which has become very high profile of late (and always emphasizes they are not affiliated with Anonymous, another highly publicized group) simply wanted to stay in the news.

Nintendo acknowledged the attack on Sunday, stating that hackers broke into one of its U.S. servers. However, the company said there was no loss of either sensitive company or user data. LulzSec took credit,and posted on the Web a server configuration file if claimed was from a Nintendo server.

After posting the information, LulzSec Tweeted that it was not targeting Nintendo. Instead, the group said that "We like the N64 too much - we sincerely hope Nintendo plugs the gap [in security]. This is just for lulz."

This breach is nothing compared to the April break-in at fellow Japanese giant Sony, which saw its PlayStation Network (PSN), Qriocity, and Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) services hacked. As a result of the hack, Sony has had to offer customers ID Theft protection service (free, for a year) as well as a number of "freebies" designed as "Welcome Back" packages.

In addition, hackers, including LulzSec, have continued to make Sony an example by hacking its servers around the world.

LulzSec also targeted PBS, after its Frontline series aired an unflattering documentary about Wikileaks. It further went after an FBI-related site because the White House recently stated that it would treat hacking "as an act of war."

LulzSec's attack came just before Nintendo launches a new online service for its 3DS hand-held game machine. The 3DS, went on sale in February in Japan and in March in the U.S. It allows gamers to play in 3D without the use of specialized glasses.

The Nintendo e-Shop, where 3DS users can buy and download games, including some classic Nintendo titles re-released in 3D form, will open in the U.S. on Monday and in Japan on Tuesday.

It also comes just before the E3 gaming expo, which opens Monday. Nintendo is expected to have a live demo version of their next-generation successor to the Nintendo Wii video console to show off.