Fast facts – PlayStation Network security breach
It’s been a week
The first anyone knew of trouble in gamer’s paradise was on the 20th of April. As itchy trigger fingers tried to sign in for an online frag-fest, they were met with a message saying the PlayStation Network was “undergoing maintenance”.
It’s not general maintenance
Two days later, Sony ‘fessed up, citing an “external intrusion” – denial speak for “we’ve got hackers”. Turns out that the spread went beyond PSN, too. Sony’s new media streaming service – Qriocity – was also hacked.
Bad accounts
By hacked, we mean someone got in. They also got out… with a haul of users’ details, including passwords, profile information, emails, birthdays, physical billing addresses and buying histories. Basically, everything you’ve ever told PlayStation Network about yourself.
Don’t pause, restart
Sony has been handing out advice to users on how to put out fraud alerts and freeze their credit files. Scary? Yes. And it could be global. Check the email account you use for PSN for notices from Sony. And check your bank statement.
Game over
Some games aren’t working because they need to check in to PSN for trophy sync or phone home to prevent piracy. You won’t be able to play those again until PSN and Qriocity are back up.
Push to return coin
Sony’s keeping mum about refunds for subscriptions and DLC at the moment, but it’s not ruling it out. Since it’s the only potential silver lining in this fiasco, we think it’ll be hard for the company not to bow to pressure. Some PSN credit wouldn’t go amiss, at the least.
To the future
Sony’s going to update when it’s fixed the broken door, changed the locks and got its stall set out again. We’re confident this is a one-off, but it should ring alarm bells for the many, many people and companies to whom you entrust your personal data every day.
Update #1 [28-04-11]
Sony's hinted that PSN and Qriocity could be fit to fly in less than a week's time. The credit card database was encrypted, so your data might be safer than thought, but we'd suggest anyone with the skills to open up the back end of Sony's user playground might have a reasonable crack at unlocking the encryption, too. The restart will probably force a system update and password reset on all users.
For the latest info, keep an eye on PlayStation's official page.
Comments
5150
2 years ago
Frustratingly, I can't remember whether or not I gave PSN my card details - I signed up so long ago.
And now I can't log in to check, either.
deekay_32
2 years ago
To check what details you've given to PSN, search the email address you signed up with for 'DoNotReply@ac.playstation.net'. One of the earliest emails from this address should include all the details you've supplied.
Pixi
2 years ago
Chances are if it was that long ago, like myself, your card details will have changed by now, i.e. new card etc.
5150
2 years ago
Both very good points - cheers, guys!
markster1971
2 years ago
shame on you sony. but all i can say. i feel sorry for all ps3 owners.
but on a brighter note i will gaming online tonight safe and secure on my xbox 360.
rickys
1 year ago
The first time I read about this was just two days after the security breach and I found the solution on a cloud security blog so I wasn't affected. Nonetheless I hope I won't have to face any kind of threat in the future.
its_me
1 year ago
Your post supports the fact that our systems are prone of various attacks. So we need to take security measure in order to keep our systems safe and sound. Sometime malicious stuffs target system registry. So it's essential to install regcure in your system beside antivirus software.