It's the inevitable question for Xbox gamers in the aftermath of the Sony PlayStation Network hack and loss of millions of customers' credit card information: could the same security breach happen on Xbox Live?

Common sense dictates: sure, it's possible. There's no network or system that's guaranteed impenetrable. Microsoft has been mum on Sony's misfortune other than this reserved statement to online gaming news site Electronic Theatre, "Of course it's regretful that Sony is encountering issues at such a busy time, and Microsoft takes no joy in the problems gamers are having playing their favorite games online," said a representative of Microsoft's distribution network.

Microsoft has not issued any official statement on the likelihood that the same fate will befall its over 30 million users. There isn't much users can do when a cloud service like PSN or Xbox Live is hacked, but there are ways that gamers can protect themselves and their credit-card data in the event of a security compromise. Keep in mind there are many ways hackers can try and get your gaming information, including your credit-card data, that are more subtle than the all-out assault carried out against PSN. Here are some tips to play it safe on the Xbox:

Don't share your Windows Live ID: This is something that kids who want to share gaming experiences with friends may do in particular. Gamers should never give out their Windows Live ID password.

Keep as private as possible: Don't give your full name to strangers over Xbox Live. Keep your address information or the school you attend, private as well. The more someone knows about you, the better they can locate information on the Internet about you and may be able to assume an online identity as you.

Ignore in-game messages that appear to come from Xbox Support: Microsoft sends messages to customers' email accounts associated with their Xbox Live IDs. The Xbox team never asks for your Windows Live ID password in emails, IM, or over the phone. If in doubt about any message you may receive, call Xbox support.

Opt to not keep a credit card on Xbox Live's network: You do need to submit credit-card information to sign up for an Xbox Live account. However, you don't need to keep your credit-card information on file. You can arrange to not have your account automatically renewed and can instead just renew your account every month. Sure, it's a hassle but, as per an Xbox Live support representative, it's a surefire way to keep your credit-card information from being stored on the system.

Don't disclose your full, actual name over Xbox Live: Keep your full name private when gaming online with strangers and don't put your full name in your Xbox Live profile. It's just another way to make it easy for bad guys to target you.

Watch out for sites claiming to boost your game score: Gamescore points are a commodity in the Xbox network. Higher scores can denote a gamer's prowess and can be used to download free games and other software. Hackers will sometimes use sites promising to boost your score or give you free achievement unlocks and points as a way to gather your personal information.

If you think you may have had your account compromised, take immediate action: If you think someone may have your account information, change your Windows Live ID immediately. Change the secret questions and secret answer to your account. It's also a good idea to change the alternate email address associated with your Windows Live ID.