Sony's PSN Attacked Again! 93,000 Accounts Compromised!

[Detective Shadzter]

So Sony are going hold a press conference tomorrow about the PSN Hack

Look forward to seeing what they say tomorrow. Live stream please, Sony

[LunarEdge]

I wonder if anyone at the conference will flip shit at Sony. I'm also hoping for a Q&A

[turbojet]

Oh shit, whoever did this and gets caught...they're ass'd out for life

I hope SHODAN appears on their computer screens(if it is just one person, you know that they have multiple monitors).

[Dobkeratops]

I hope SHODAN appears on their computer screens(if it is just one person, you know that they have multiple monitors).

holy shit ARG for a System Shock 3 reveal

it all makes sense now

[LunarEdge]

Current Stream of Conference:

http://www.irwebcasting.com/live/110501/02/293c6325f4/index.html

[Gamerguy21]

Press Release: Some PlayStation Network and Qriocity Services to be Available This Week

SOME PLAYSTATION®NETWORK AND QRIOCITY™ SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK

Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally;

System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal Information

Tokyo, May 1, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on. The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.

Following a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s data-center located in San Diego, California, U.S.A., SNEI quickly turned off the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, engaged multiple expert information security firms over the course of several days and conducted an extensive audit of the system. Since then, the company has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. SNEI and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests to verify the security strength of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased rollout by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the rollout will include, but is not limited to, the following:

* Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems

-This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games

* Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers

* Access to account management and password reset

* Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo

* PlayStation®Home

* Friends List

* Chat Functionality

Working closely with several outside security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures to further detect unauthorized activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company is also creating the position of Chief Information Security Officer, directly reporting to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation, to add a new position of expertise in and accountability for customer data protection and supplement existing information security personnel. The new security measures implemented include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks

* Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption

* Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns

* Implementation of additional firewalls

The company also expedited an already planned move of the system to a new data center in a different location that has been under construction and development for several months. In addition, PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.

The company is conducting a thorough and on-going investigation and working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for the illegal intrusion.

“This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.”

Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program

While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.

The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.

Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:

* Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.

* All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.

* Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.

Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.

SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.

For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com. or http://blog.eu.playstation.com/

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

TL;DR: Pretty much every aspect of PSN will be restored this week, but it seems we might have to wait a bit longer for the store to come back up (as it's not listed). Sony also gives more detail as to how they're adding more security: Better data protection and encryption, new automated software to detect attacks, better ability to detect software intrusions, and addition of more firewalls. Also, we get a confirmation of "free content", 30 free days of PS Plus (with 30 extra days for people already subscribed), and 30 free days of Music Unlimited "powered by Qriocity subscribers" (does this mean only Qriocity susribers get the 30 free days? I don't use Qriocity, so I wouldn't know) for being patient.

Seems pretty good to me. The free content itself seems awfully generous, seeing as how I was only expecting one of those things at most. Hope the "free content" doesn't suck, but either way, it's the thought that counts.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Gamerguy21

[Chooch]

We get free PSN Plus for a month.

Cool beans.

[LunarEdge]

Free PSN+ for non-Plus members? Sounds sweet. I Know I'm going to be downloading quite a bit of free games.

[Shoot em up Capbusta]

[Flint]

It'd be rather cheeky if the amount of free offers/price reduction on PSN plus would suddenly drop during the free month. Hope not!

Edited May 1, 2011 by Flint

[Sega DogTagz]

I gonna bleed PSN + dry. Sony's gonna regret giving me 80 Gigs.

If I remember correctly, there was a Sonic dynamic theme that was free for PSN + users. That's the first thing on my hitlist. .

[Badnik Mechanic]

PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.

Oh golly, well... it's good that you need to enter a new password upon activation, but I dohope this isn't going to bugger up getting a new password if your PS3 suddenly dies!

•Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.

•All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.

•Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.

Thats great, but you can bet the US and Japan free downloads will be significantly better than those of the EU.

The Free PSN+ offer is nice, but for current PSN+ users we really should be getting back the days we paid for and the 30 day offer. But I guess nearly 2 weeks free is better than 2 weeks lost.

It's a fantastic offer if you're not a PSN+ user, but for current users then "it's kinda ok but..." would be my reply.

I think the full extent of it will completely depend on what free games will be on offer in each territory. Like I said, I bet the EU selection will be really poor games compared to the US and Japan PS Store.

lol mind you, if you have multiple region accounts on your PS3, lots and lots of free games!

[Dobkeratops]

That PSN+ offer could come in handy if someone wants to backup/move locked savefiles using the cloud service.

lol mind you, if you have multiple region accounts on your PS3, lots and lots of free games!

C:

[Badnik Mechanic]

C:

I think you'll find my face is more.

It's also quite a good marketing ploy when you think about it. Theres bound to be a lot of people out there who have wanted PSN+ but were not sure about it, now people can try it out and you know that a lot of people will want to keep it, especially when they try out cloud saving.

[turbojet]

We get free PSN Plus for a month.

Cool beans.

Oh my God. So much shit that I am going to get. I will make sure that I bleed the bastards dry.

[Saint Nathan]

They're also going to get a decent amount of sales for this deal as well as pleasing some people.

Although honestly? I think a month is a bit too little, but that may be due to the fact that I have very little idea what PSN+ is and I have simply been using context to figure it out.

[Carbo]

It's a premium service that allows for things like price-reductions, exclusive access to material and betas, free giveaways and the like. It's incredibly situational.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Carbo

[Saint Nathan]

It's a premium service that allows for things like price-reductions, exclusive access to material and betas, free giveaways and the like. It's incredibly situational.

Oh. Alright I was on the money then.

Yeah, I mean this was a pretty big thing here, and people could be seriously harmed. They may already be. A month of some extra stuff seems like... nothing, really.

[sjmaster92]

It's better than nothing at all.

[Scar]

Oh. Alright I was on the money then.

Yeah, I mean this was a pretty big thing here, and people could be seriously harmed. They may already be. A month of some extra stuff seems like... nothing, really.

What else can they give?

They're giving us free stuff they can. We'll probably also get some PSN mini's and suchlike which will vary from region to region.

Not much else they can give us, other than the reassurance that the network will have doubled or greater its security.

[GameFarnsworth940]

Wait, so free 30 day PSN+? Dude, I'm soooooo gonna take advantage of this. PSP, granted, but there are some PSN+ deals on that end. Also, I didn't see the store on that list. Any idea when it's back?

[PaddyFancy]

Can anyone disprove what Wikipedia says, that any PSone game you get for free or discounted with PSN+, you'll have to pay for the full game to keep playing it when the subscription ends?

[Gamerguy21]

Can anyone disprove what Wikipedia says, that any PSone game you get for free or discounted with PSN+, you'll have to pay for the full game to keep playing it when the subscription ends?

That's actually true.

[Flint]

Well that just deflated my tyres of joy.

[PSI Wind]

Can anyone disprove what Wikipedia says, that any PSone game you get for free or discounted with PSN+, you'll have to pay for the full game to keep playing it when the subscription ends?

That's.....really fucking stupid :\