The Baltimore-based computer security company that hacked into the sizzling, hot iPhone and broke the encryption on wireless gas payment age of Conan cards and car keys used by millions of drivers is at it again. But this time, analysts there uncovered serious vulnerabilities in two highly popular fantasy worlds frequented by hundreds of thousands of online players around the globe.

Using flaws discovered in the games' coding, Independent Security Evaluators said it was able to read confidential files on massive multiplayer online (MMO) games Anarchy Online and its best-selling successor, Age of Conan. ISE, which will reveal the research today on its Web site  age of Conan (securityevaluators.com), said it was also able to take control of a player's computer in the older game.

The vulnerabilities, ISE says, expose a growing concern among industry experts. Many say players of such games should start worrying more about malicious attacks that can endanger confidential and financial data than the virtual battles that revolve around crushing demon skulls and laying siege age of Conan  to ancient towns.

"Most people, by now, know not to open e-mails and click on links that aren't from people they know," said ISE security analyst Stephen BOOB . "But players of these online games are more focused on whether they can walk through walls than whether someone can hijack their computer and steal personal data. The awareness is not there. That's a big problem, since many of these virtual games involve online economies where real money is exchanged for virtual money and goods.