The Inquirer: Moving backwards going forwards
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Customer details stolen in Sony Playstation Network debacle
ONLINE GAMING OUTFIT Sony has suffered a severe security breach on its Playstation Network and Qriocity services that has compromised users' personal data including passwords and credit card details.
The latest twist in this growing debacle is Sony's admission that between 17 and 19 April there was an "an illegal and unauthorised intrustion" onto its network that resulted in customer account information being stolen.
Sony revealed that the data stolen included users' names, addresses, countries, email addresses, birthdates, passwords, login-IDs and usernames for the Playstation Network and Qriocity services.
The company said that a number of other details might have been obtained, including credit card information and password security answers. Sony said that there is no evidence yet that credit card details were stolen, but that "out of an abundance of caution" it was advising customers that their full credit card numbers and expiration dates might have been exposed. The security codes on the backs of credit cards are believed to be safe.
What this means for customers is that they could become the victims of scams via phone, mail, or email that ask for additional details needed to steal their identity or make use of the credit card information. Sony is warning customers to be vigilant and stressing that it will never contact them asking for their personal information.
Sony also advised people to change their passwords, especially if they use them on multiple websites, and to avail themselves of fraud prevention services, such as filing a fraud alert with a credit bureau. Sony has not said as much, but caution suggests that it might also be a good idea to cancel credit cards and get new ones.
This security breach elevates the seriousness of the attack on Sony's network in the eyes of the law and could mean big trouble for whoever is behind it if they get caught. Anonymous has denied organising the attack, but admitted that some members may have acted independently.
Sony said it is working around the clock to bring its services back online and has hired a security firm to investigate the attack. For customers who have merely been angry about losing access to Sony's online services, this has just become an even bigger and more serious headache. µ
Tags: Security
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Let me guess, they hired HBGary right? Or that dumb guy that said he had a keylogger in his samsung.
This is a certain justice though, the company who put rootkits and spyware on as many people's computers as possible gets hacked themselves.. You don't see real justice very often so remember the time it happened.. unless they walk away unscathed of course.
Screw it! It's not my problem. Let Sony and my credit card company deal with it. I'll do nothing beyond my usual review of the monthly statement.
Some more flunkies will be heading for the Iron Bar Hotel. Oh yeah and if your CC data was stolen, thank a hacker when you get your monthly statement and your account is empty.
http://www.hnws.co.uk/
should of had got networking setup lol
no one has said how many of the peoples details have been stolen
...real life Swordfish that's going on.
Who knew that cracking into Sony's customer base was so easy? I am starting to think that reality is the most far fetched story.
And people wonder why I insist on using false details whenever I can.
From telemarketing over the phone to online "services" etc. IF you can help it, never give out your actual details.
Have you gotten any assurance from Sony over the security of using your credit card via the PSN?
Any "Secured by VISA" logo? does your bank or credit provider insure you in case it all goes pear shaped?
Live, get burned & learn.
Pirates didn't have any of their cc information misplaced.
Unless and until Congress "grows the balls" and steps up to Corporations to enact a law which gives personal information back to its rightful owners, do we ever stand a chance of stopping this ever growing virus of theft of personal information.
We, and nobody else, are the sole owners of our personal information. If corporations MUST maintain this information, we should LICENSE IT to them for a FEE. Additionally, the law could incorporate such stiff penalties for loss of personal information that it would put the life of the company at risk.
It's not until corporations ALSO have something of value at risk that they will value OUR property. It's WRONG that they consider OUR INFORMATION - THEIR PROPERTY. Just because they have collected it, doesn't mean they own it.
If we charged $100,000 PER RECORD to license this info, payable upon it's loss, corporations would be more diligent in constructing software to prevent its loss.
TIME TO STEP UP, CONGRESS! GROW SOME BALLS!
This isn't the first time this has happened. I had an attempt on my credit card in December just after I signed up to Qriosity on my Sony Blu Ray player.
I couldn't explain at the time how my card had been hacked, now I know.
Should we be cancelling our credit and debit cards?
Ever since Sony downsized
about 2 years ago
and decided to outsource their operations
such a IT suport and
changed over from SIS to a SAP
computer system
This type security breach was going to occur eventually
and it will happen again
Sony needs to take control over their own IT security and support.