Dogs Of War Vu

Sim/Strategy/War => Flight Simulation => FSX/P3D/X-Plane => Topic started by: Asid on September 24, 2019, 11:54:59 AM

Title: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Asid on September 24, 2019, 11:54:59 AM
SimWorks Studios hacked!
25 Sept 2019

I received an email from SWS titled "Update available for Nimitz Class Vol.1" on Mon 23 16:04 from the official SSW info@simworksstudios.com.

(http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7722.0;attach=1815;image)

I clicked the links as it was an official email but no updates were available.

I went onto their site and no information.

I then contacted them via Discord at 11:48 pm because the dev was online. The developer said that he knew and it was a hack. I asked him to post publicly about it and let people be aware but he disagreed (I am putting this bit politely). I told the dev I would post about it. He was not happy.



I checked SWS FB page later and found the following below AFTER I said they should publicly post. Not everyone uses or wants to use FB.

(http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7722.0;attach=1819;image)




Yet they managed to tell everyone a new add-on was out via email. Why not email their customers to warn of the issue?

(http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7722.0;attach=1817;image)

SWS make good products. They are a small team. They have very few resources. HOWEVER it costs nothing to tell people there is an issue. They hold personal account information so have a duty of care morally and legally.  especially in this day and age of data breaches!


Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Beef on September 24, 2019, 08:58:09 PM
I did receive the authentic Nimitz vol. 2 release announcement, but not the fake email. I never purchased that product though, just the Phantom.
Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Asid on September 27, 2019, 01:45:21 PM
Update from SimWorks Studios
24 September

Posted in their FB page.

"An update regarding the false Nimitz update e-mail received by our customers. It turns out that the e-mail was sent accidentally.

We were updating the product description with the latest added features and accidentally clicked to notify customers of an update, which linked to the September 13th file.

As it seems there is neither an update, nor a hack. Just a click too far."


Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Asid on September 27, 2019, 01:47:21 PM
I was initially told by the developer "Yes, a customer reported that. We have been hacked."

It seems all is fine now.

Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Asid on October 29, 2019, 02:55:46 PM
Received more of the same emails on 25 October. Even after I had unsubscribed.... ::)

Uninstalled all SWS addons.



Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Beef on October 29, 2019, 04:19:03 PM
I received a couple of emails on 10-25 as well, but they appeared to be legitimate to me; informing me of a weekend sale and the other on an update to the F-4.
Title: Re: SimWorks Studios hacked!
Post by: Asid on October 29, 2019, 04:37:29 PM
I received a couple of emails on 10-25 as well, but they appeared to be legitimate to me; informing me of a weekend sale and the other on an update to the F-4.

Was there a new update?