Watch CBS News

VTech Hack Exposes Millions, Including Children

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A hack attack that is targeting children.

Technology maker VTech reports some five million customers may have had their information compromised.

This time, hackers gained access not only to children's names, birthdates, genders, but their pictures as well.

This morning, cyber security experts are weighing in and some say VTech should have done more to prevent this from happening.

After learning about the latest hack, this time targeting kids, parents are concerned.

Parents who use VTech's Learning Lodge app store have another concern. The electronic toy maker's app store was hacked last week, exposing the personal information of about five million customers including thousands of children.

Security expert Troy Hunt warns parents to be aware.

"One thing they need to understand is anything they've given VTech has been compromised."

That includes name, home address, age and even pictures.

"There's certainly accountability on their behalf. They're entrusted with the data and they lost it. It is really that simple. The question might become did they take sufficient measures to stop it from being lost?"

Hunt says the answer to that question is simple.

"No, and that is the problem."

Parents should ask about a website or app security before registering personal information. Ask if the company uses encrypted connections, and maybe think twice before allowing kids to play with internet access toys.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.