Gamers are being warned to watch their inboxes after someone gained unauthorized access to Capcom’s online membership service.

Capcom, the Japanese video game developer and publisher behind Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter, disclosed a breach affecting more than 11.7 million CAPCOM ID records worldwide.

The exposed information includes email addresses, account activity details, and IP addresses. A much smaller number of records also contained personal details such as dates of birth.

The company says credit card information was not affected, and it has not confirmed that passwords originally chosen by customers were compromised, but someone changed the passwords on 196 accounts without authorization. Capcom has since reset those passwords.

CAPCOM ID is the company’s unified account system for its websites and services, including online features in certain games. Users can also link it to gaming platform accounts, including PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games, and Nintendo accounts.

For players, the exposed information could help scammers make fake Capcom messages more convincing, potentially tricking them into handing over passwords or verification codes.

Capcom discovered the incident on October 19, and says it has addressed the attack method. Games and services remain available, and the company plans to notify affected customers.

The 11.7 million figure refers to affected records, so it may not represent that many individual users. Capcom is still investigating the impact, including how the passwords on 196 accounts were changed without permission and whether any other unauthorized activity occurred on those accounts.

How to stay safe

As with any breach, watch for phishing messages, particularly those using the breach to create urgency. If an email claims your account needs attention, open your browser and go to cid.capcom.com independently to check it. Capcom warns users not to follow URLs or open attachments in suspicious messages.

You can also take these steps:

• Enable CAPCOM ID’s two-factor authentication: This adds an authenticator-app code to the sign-in process, helping protect your account if someone obtains your password. Set it up from your Account page using a smartphone or tablet. Capcom recommends Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
• Check your account, especially if you received an unexpected password-change notice: Review your registered information and linked platform accounts from your Account page. If you cannot sign in, use Forgot your password? on the login page. See Capcom’s support page for instructions.
• Use official support channels if you need help: Find the appropriate regional contact in Capcom’s breach notice, rather than trusting contact details in an unexpected message.

Pro tip: Unsure whether a message is a scam? Malwarebytes’ Scam Guard can help you assess it and suggest what to do next.

Something feel off? Check it before you click.  

Malwarebytes Scam Guard helps you analyze suspicious links, texts, and screenshots instantly.  

Available with Malwarebytes Premium Security for all your devices, and in the Malwarebytes app for iOS and Android.  

Try it free → 

Gamers are being warned to watch their inboxes after someone gained unauthorized access to Capcom’s online membership service.

Capcom, the Japanese video game developer and publisher behind Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter, disclosed a breach affecting more than 11.7 million CAPCOM ID records worldwide.

The exposed information includes email addresses, account activity details, and IP addresses. A much smaller number of records also contained personal details such as dates of birth.

The company says credit card information was not affected, and it has not confirmed that passwords originally chosen by customers were compromised, but someone changed the passwords on 196 accounts without authorization. Capcom has since reset those passwords.

CAPCOM ID is the company’s unified account system for its websites and services, including online features in certain games. Users can also link it to gaming platform accounts, including PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games, and Nintendo accounts.

For players, the exposed information could help scammers make fake Capcom messages more convincing, potentially tricking them into handing over passwords or verification codes.

Capcom discovered the incident on October 19, and says it has addressed the attack method. Games and services remain available, and the company plans to notify affected customers.

The 11.7 million figure refers to affected records, so it may not represent that many individual users. Capcom is still investigating the impact, including how the passwords on 196 accounts were changed without permission and whether any other unauthorized activity occurred on those accounts.

How to stay safe

As with any breach, watch for phishing messages, particularly those using the breach to create urgency. If an email claims your account needs attention, open your browser and go to cid.capcom.com independently to check it. Capcom warns users not to follow URLs or open attachments in suspicious messages.

You can also take these steps:

• Enable CAPCOM ID’s two-factor authentication: This adds an authenticator-app code to the sign-in process, helping protect your account if someone obtains your password. Set it up from your Account page using a smartphone or tablet. Capcom recommends Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
• Check your account, especially if you received an unexpected password-change notice: Review your registered information and linked platform accounts from your Account page. If you cannot sign in, use Forgot your password? on the login page. See Capcom’s support page for instructions.
• Use official support channels if you need help: Find the appropriate regional contact in Capcom’s breach notice, rather than trusting contact details in an unexpected message.

Pro tip: Unsure whether a message is a scam? Malwarebytes’ Scam Guard can help you assess it and suggest what to do next.

Something feel off? Check it before you click.  

Malwarebytes Scam Guard helps you analyze suspicious links, texts, and screenshots instantly.  

Available with Malwarebytes Premium Security for all your devices, and in the Malwarebytes app for iOS and Android.  

Try it free → 

A breach exposed personal information in supposedly anonymous crime reports. Now one Crime Stoppers chapter has stopped accepting tips because it cannot guarantee anonymity.

Toronto Crime Stoppers, which works with the community, police, and media to help solve crimes, has paused phone, website, and app submissions while it seeks a safer system.

The breach occurred in March and involved P3 Global Intel, the Texas-based tip-management platform owned by Navigate360. Its software is used by Crime Stoppers programs and other organizations in the US and elsewhere.

An October CBC investigation revealed the Canadian impact: More than 1.5 million tips spanning 25 years were exposed, with over 850,000 containing personal information. That included addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and some banking details associated with rewards. The exposed details belonged to tipsters, people named in allegations, and others, including police and Crime Stoppers staff.

Following CBC’s reporting, Toronto Crime Stoppers acknowledged that its promise of anonymity had been broken for some users. The organization stopped accepting tips, saying it could no longer guarantee users’ anonymity.

In an October 21 statement, the organization says identifying details are normally removed before tips reach investigators, but some original submissions containing potentially identifying information were stolen from P3.

For affected tipsters, exposure could create a risk of retaliation, intimidation, or extortion. Scammers could also use details of a genuine tip to make an approach more convincing.

Unfortunately, the pause removes a reporting option for people afraid to approach police. Toronto police still accept reports directly, but warn that those channels are not anonymous.

How to stay safe

Toronto Crime Stoppers warned people worried about exposure to watch for impersonators. It says it will never contact them first to request a tip number, password, or other information.

The statement did not describe an individual notification process or offer a way to check whether a particular tip was affected. For anyone wanting to submit a new tip, the organization’s message was clear:

“Until we have a safer way to protect you, please do not send us tips by phone, online, or through the app.”

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. During the pause, non-emergency reports in Toronto should go directly to Toronto police, with the understanding that those channels are not anonymous.

If you use a different Crime Stoppers program, check its official website for updates and advice about its reporting system.

For more general advice if your information may have been exposed, read our blog “Involved in a data breach? Here’s what you need to know.”

A breach exposed personal information in supposedly anonymous crime reports. Now one Crime Stoppers chapter has stopped accepting tips because it cannot guarantee anonymity.

Toronto Crime Stoppers, which works with the community, police, and media to help solve crimes, has paused phone, website, and app submissions while it seeks a safer system.

The breach occurred in March and involved P3 Global Intel, the Texas-based tip-management platform owned by Navigate360. Its software is used by Crime Stoppers programs and other organizations in the US and elsewhere.

An October CBC investigation revealed the Canadian impact: More than 1.5 million tips spanning 25 years were exposed, with over 850,000 containing personal information. That included addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and some banking details associated with rewards. The exposed details belonged to tipsters, people named in allegations, and others, including police and Crime Stoppers staff.

Following CBC’s reporting, Toronto Crime Stoppers acknowledged that its promise of anonymity had been broken for some users. The organization stopped accepting tips, saying it could no longer guarantee users’ anonymity.

In an October 21 statement, the organization says identifying details are normally removed before tips reach investigators, but some original submissions containing potentially identifying information were stolen from P3.

For affected tipsters, exposure could create a risk of retaliation, intimidation, or extortion. Scammers could also use details of a genuine tip to make an approach more convincing.

Unfortunately, the pause removes a reporting option for people afraid to approach police. Toronto police still accept reports directly, but warn that those channels are not anonymous.

How to stay safe

Toronto Crime Stoppers warned people worried about exposure to watch for impersonators. It says it will never contact them first to request a tip number, password, or other information.

The statement did not describe an individual notification process or offer a way to check whether a particular tip was affected. For anyone wanting to submit a new tip, the organization’s message was clear:

“Until we have a safer way to protect you, please do not send us tips by phone, online, or through the app.”

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. During the pause, non-emergency reports in Toronto should go directly to Toronto police, with the understanding that those channels are not anonymous.

If you use a different Crime Stoppers program, check its official website for updates and advice about its reporting system.

For more general advice if your information may have been exposed, read our blog “Involved in a data breach? Here’s what you need to know.”

Many people ask: At what point do I bring in law enforcement during a cyber incident? When should I get outside help such as another consulting firm to support incident response? The honest answer is simple: before you ever need them. The best time to build reinforcements is not during a crisis. It is now.

It’s the same idea as that old proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Cybersecurity works the same way. Incident response is messy, emotional, and chaotic. You don’t want to be flipping through your contacts for a random phone number when your domain controller is encrypted and your CEO is standing behind you asking for updates. You want relationships, people who already know you and are ready to help.

Build Your Network Before You Need It

Start with your own community. Get involved with organizations such as InfraGard and HTCIA. Attend local cybersecurity meetups, conferences, and regional response groups. Shake hands. Collect business cards. Swap stories. These small moments build the trust you will rely on when your network goes sideways at 2 a.m. on a Saturday.

Identify who your law enforcement contacts are now, such as local FBI field office personnel, state cybercrime investigators, or specialized digital forensic units. Introduce yourself. Learn what they do and how they operate. Because during an incident is a terrible time to be making introductions.

When to Call Law Enforcement

Whenever you are handling an incident, reach out to law enforcement early. They might not jump into every ransomware attack or stolen laptop case, but it is still important to keep them informed. They have something you do not have: legal authority. If you need warrants, subpoenas, or data preserved from third-party providers, law enforcement has the tools to make that happen. If nothing else, contacting them shows you are acting responsibly, and that matters later.

Your next reinforcement is legal. You should already have a law firm on an incident response retainer before something goes wrong. But don’t just pick any law firm. Choose one with real experience handling cyber incidents.

Traditional attorneys often respond to breaches by locking everything down and preventing collaboration. That approach creates chaos. Experienced breach counsel understands that incident response requires teamwork, not isolation.

They know how to:

• Work with law enforcement
• Coordinate with security firms
• Maintain legal privilege where appropriate
• Guide sensitive communications
• Draft clear breach notifications
• Stay cool when everything burns

If they have been through this before, they will not fall apart when it is your turn.

Cyber Insurance Requires Work

If you are in an incident and asking whether your cyber insurance covers it, it is already too late. You either have coverage or you do not. And getting that coverage is becoming harder.

Insurance companies are nervous. Ransomware costs are rising and payouts have become massive. Even if you do get coverage, read the fine print. Most policies require due diligence—you must demonstrate that you were following reasonable security practices. If you have ignored vulnerability management, asset inventory, access control, logging, and backups, your insurer may deny your claim.

Cyber insurance is not a magic safety net. It is a contract that assumes you are taking security seriously.

Build Relationships, Not Just a Plan

If there is one theme here, it is this: In a crisis, you do not rise to the occasion. You fall back on the strength of your relationships. When an incident hits, you should not be scrambling to track down experts. You should already know who to call and they should already know you.

Start building your network today. Law enforcement contacts, legal counsel, insurance providers, and trusted incident response partners should already be in your corner. When the day comes, you will not be calling strangers. You will be calling reinforcements. Friends. Colleagues. People who already have your back.

Start now.