Security flaws affect Amazon’s Kindle e-books and Audible audiobooks

Amazon is being forced to investigate a “security hole” that could let hackers gain access to customers’ accounts via Kindle e-books.

The security flaw affects Kindle users who downloaded hacked e-books containing a certain script in the title, the Digital Reader reports. It’s not a new issue, apparently — Amazon has addressed the flaw before, though, as Gizmodo notes, “it seems to have crept back in.”

The website also notes that you can avoid the flaw by not pirating e-books, which is good advice for a lot of reasons.

PC World is reporting that the security hole appears to have been fixed, but Amazon hasn’t confirmed this.

Meanwhile, Amazon is also being forced to address a loophole at its audiobook site, Audible. Business Insider reports that an Indian teenager discovered security flaws in the retailer’s credit card processing system that would theoretically allow users to download countless free audio books. Gizmodo confirms that the loophole exists and notes, quite sensibly, that even though it’s possible to get free downloads, it’s still stealing.

Audible responded to Business Insider by noting that the loophole is “a fraud issue, not a security issue.”