Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[PSN hacking suspect sentenced to house arrest for destroying evidence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/psn-hacking-suspect-sentenced-to-house-arrest-for-destroying-evi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/psn-hacking-suspect-sentenced-to-house-arrest-for-destroying-evi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/psn-hacking-suspect-sentenced-to-house-arrest-for-destroying-evi/#comments2008 PSN hacking suspect sentenced to house arrest for destroying evidence This week, 23-year-old Ohio resident Todd M. Miller was sentenced to a year of house arrest for destruction of evidence and obstructing a federal investigation into a 2008 hacker-led PlayStation Network breach.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that US District Judge Peter C. Economus said Miller was a member of the KCUF hacking clan in 2008 when the group organized an attack on the PlayStation Network, potentially compromising user data.

The FBI contacted Miller while investigating another hack in 2011 that resulted in an extended PSN outage. After obtaining a search warrant, the FBI entered Miller's home to find that his computers were smashed and his hard drives were missing. Lacking evidence to bring up Miller and another suspect on hacking charges, the FBI instead charged Miller with obstructing the investigation.

While Miller faced up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, he was sentenced to three years of probation and a year of house arrest for obstruction of justice. The judge additionally ordered Miller to obtain a high-school equivalence certificate, as part of his sentencing.

JoystiqPSN hacking suspect sentenced to house arrest for destroying evidence originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackoutageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psn-hackpsn-outage-2011Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 servers see DDOS attack, EA says no user data breached]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/#commentsBattlefield 3 suffering ongoing DDOS attack, EA working on it The Battlefield 3 servers have been under a DDOS attack for the past several days, aimed at interfering with network communication and preventing access to multiplayer, EA says. The barrage has not breached any user data and EA is working to stop the attack, the publisher adds.

"The current Battlefield 3 outages are a result of activity that appears to be aimed at overwhelming our back-end infrastructure. We are working on a variety of solutions to address this problem and are focused on resolution as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and support," EA writes. "We are incredibly disappointed by these activities and the impact they are having on all of our ability to enjoy BF3, thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these issues."

EA held rolling restarts of the Battlefield 3 servers to apply updates, and any new information will be posted on BattleLog.

[Thanks, Josh!]

JoystiqBattlefield 3 servers see DDOS attack, EA says no user data breached originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3ddosEAnetworkoutagepcWed, 08 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Xbox Live sign-in issues ongoing, Microsoft working on them [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/psa-xbox-live-sign-in-issues-ongoing-microsoft-working-on-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/psa-xbox-live-sign-in-issues-ongoing-microsoft-working-on-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/psa-xbox-live-sign-in-issues-ongoing-microsoft-working-on-it/#comments PSA Xbox Live sign in issues ongoing, Microsoft working on itFolks trying to sign into Xbox Live right now may encounter some issues, specifically that they, well, can't. Microsoft is aware of the situation, however, and is working to resolve it. No ETA has been given for a fix, so we recommend doing what we always do whenever there's some sort of ongoing service outage: Watch Girls' Generation videos on YouTube and wait for everything to blow over.

Update: Limited connectivity appears to have returned, although Microsoft warns that users may still encounter errors while managing their friends lists and/or while attempting to send text or voice messages over Xbox Live.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqPSA: Xbox Live sign-in issues ongoing, Microsoft working on them [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectmicrosoftoutagePSAxboxXbox-LiveSat, 13 Apr 2013 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/harmonix-sites-attacked-go-down-for-the-weekend/#comments Harmonix notified registered users of RockBand.com and DanceCentral.com that its servers will be down for the weekend due to an apparent attack from an outside source. The developer disabled passwords for all Harmonix site accounts as a precautionary measure, and will require users to reset their passwords when the sites are live again.

The email sent to Harmonix site users noted that "at this time, we have not found that any of our users' information has been published or misused. None of our sites maintain any credit card information, social security numbers, or financial account numbers for any of our users."

The person behind the attack on Harmonix's sites might not have been a fan of Don McLean, the "American Pie" artist featured in the final piece of weekly Rock Band DLC.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading Harmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend

JoystiqHarmonix sites attacked, go down for the weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attackdance-centralHarmonixoutagerock-bandRock-Band-3serverSat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Ops 2 Wii U online play down [update: it's back]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/black-ops-2-wii-u-online-play-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/black-ops-2-wii-u-online-play-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/black-ops-2-wii-u-online-play-down/#comments Black Ops 2 online play down on Wii UCall of Duty: Black Ops 2 online services are "degraded" on Wii U right now, Activision says. "Users in some locations may experience difficulty accessing online games," according to the Blops 2 status page. That's a bit of an understatement in our experience: We just tried to connect and found that the game stuck at the "connect to online service" screen endlessly.

Reader reports indicate that this connection problem coincides with a recent update. We've checked in with Activision to verify the source of the issue, and to get an estimated time for a fix.

Update: Treyarch has tweeted that connectivity is back online almost everywhere, with "Italy, Spain, and Japan coming online later today."

JoystiqBlack Ops 2 Wii U online play down [update: it's back] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-black-ops-2nintendooutagewii-uWed, 27 Feb 2013 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft apologizes for cloud save issue, doles out free month of Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/microsoft-apologizes-for-cloud-save-issue-doles-out-free-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/microsoft-apologizes-for-cloud-save-issue-doles-out-free-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/microsoft-apologizes-for-cloud-save-issue-doles-out-free-month/#comments PSA Xbox Live issues reported, Cloud files inaccessibleThe Xbox Live service experienced some hiccups recently with its cloud save feature and now Microsoft is making amends with a free month of Xbox Live.

Microsoft notes it's automatically applying a one-month extension to impacted customers. There is no need to call support if you were affected by the outage. Xbox's Major Nelson posts that the company knows who couldn't reach the cloud and will handle it on their end.

Late last week Xbox Live customers reported outages and other issues, along with the cloud save file problem, which would bounce back error "0x807b0198" when trying to load a file.

JoystiqMicrosoft apologizes for cloud save issue, doles out free month of Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Major-Nelsonmicrosoftoutagexboxxbox-liveMon, 31 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Players running into Halo 4 server issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/players-running-into-halo-4-server-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/players-running-into-halo-4-server-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/players-running-into-halo-4-server-issues/#comments Some Halo 4 players are reporting problems connecting to the game's multiplayer servers. Users on the Halo Waypoint forum are apparently encountering a "server unavailable" error when attempting to connect to multiplayer matches.

The Xbox Live status page reflected the issue earlier today, though at the time of this writing it indicates that all services are up and running. We were able to play two online matches without a hitch, but users are still reporting problems, including being unable to join games, play with friends or access their unlocked loadouts.

Microsoft is aware of the issue, and Xbox Live guru Major Nelson informs Joystiq that the Halo team is working to resolve it.

JoystiqPlayers running into Halo 4 server issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industrieshalo-4microsoftmultiplayeroutagexboxxbox-liveTue, 06 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Origin servers offline tonight for maintenance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/eas-origin-servers-offline-tonight-for-maintenance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/eas-origin-servers-offline-tonight-for-maintenance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/eas-origin-servers-offline-tonight-for-maintenance/#comments Electronic Arts has posted a notice stating that its Origin servers will be offline tonight from 10 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. Pacific. The notice adds that Origin will only be available in offline mode during the maintenance and that multiplayer in Origin titles will be unavailable. Presumably, this applies to both the PC and console versions of titles that require an Origin login. Furthermore, any Origin purchases made during the outage will only be fulfilled once the maintenance is complete.

EA notes that regular maintenance allows the company to prepare Origin for "for bigger changes in the weeks and months ahead." Such updates could include the promised additions and fixes that will be implemented in Origin 9.0.

JoystiqEA's Origin servers offline tonight for maintenance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaintenancemicrosoftoriginoutagepcxboxWed, 18 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Xbox Live down, Microsoft investigating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/psa-xbox-live-down-microsoft-investigating/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/psa-xbox-live-down-microsoft-investigating/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/psa-xbox-live-down-microsoft-investigating/#comments If you're having trouble signing onto Xbox Live, you are not alone. Microsoft is aware of the issue and is "actively investigating," according to the official Xbox Support Twitter account. The Xbox Live status page notes that users may have trouble signing into Xbox Live via Xbox.com, though we've experienced the same issue when logging in via the Xbox 360 itself.

Oh, and apparently the TMZ app isn't working either.

JoystiqPSA: Xbox Live down, Microsoft investigating originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftoutagexboxxbox-liveFri, 06 Jul 2012 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Diablo 3 down for maintenance today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/psa-diablo-3-down-for-maintenance-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/psa-diablo-3-down-for-maintenance-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/psa-diablo-3-down-for-maintenance-today/#comments If you were about to load up Diablo 3, you might want to think about going in to work today instead. Blizzard has taken the game down for maintenance starting today at 3am PDT, so it can get patch 1.0.3 ready.

The game will be back online at "approximately" 1pm PDT (4pm EDT), Blizzard reports, so you'll be able to download the patch and get back online sometime around then. Europe and Asia won't go under maintenance until 3am CEST tomorrow (9pm EDT tonight), running through 1pm CEST, so don't expect to log into Global Play (or into the game, if you're in Europe or Asia) at that time.

JoystiqPSA: Diablo 3 down for maintenance today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Diablo-3macmaintenanceoutagepcTue, 19 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Xbox Live service is down, Microsoft is working to fix it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/psa-xbox-live-service-is-down-microsoft-is-working-to-fix-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/psa-xbox-live-service-is-down-microsoft-is-working-to-fix-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/03/psa-xbox-live-service-is-down-microsoft-is-working-to-fix-it/#comments The Xbox Live Status website warns that you might experience some "difficulties" with certain services on Xbox Live at the moment, including such trivialities as signing into Xbox Live and Games For Windows Live.

Both the site and Major Nelson note that MS is aware of the issue, and is working on the unspecified cause of the interruption. Rest assured, those of you who somehow have the opportunity to play Xbox games on a Monday afternoon will soon be able to resume playing said games online.

JoystiqPSA: Xbox Live service is down, Microsoft is working to fix it originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftoutagepsaxboxxbox-liveMon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PSN temporarily down for maintenance this morning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/psa-psn-temporarily-down-for-maintenance-this-morning/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/psa-psn-temporarily-down-for-maintenance-this-morning/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/psa-psn-temporarily-down-for-maintenance-this-morning/#comments We're sorry to say it, but you'll have to stop murdering Chimera online for a couple of hours later today, as Sony's PlayStation Network will be going down between 9 and 11AM PT due to "routine maintenance." Sony warned of the impending outage on Twitter and apologized to users.

And yes, the Battlefield 3 beta should be good to go when PSN becomes available again later this afternoon. Cool your jets!

JoystiqPSA: PSN temporarily down for maintenance this morning originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maintenanceoutageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psapsnpsppublic-service-announcementResistance-3sonyThu, 29 Sep 2011 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PSN is down, Sony's 'working to resolve the issue' [update: it's back]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/psa-psn-is-down-sonys-working-to-resolve-the-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/psa-psn-is-down-sonys-working-to-resolve-the-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/psa-psn-is-down-sonys-working-to-resolve-the-issue/#comments Nope, that guy didn't just rage quit on your Super Street Fighter IV match ... it's worse. PlayStation Network's down, we're sorry to say. It seems that Sony wasn't planning the outage, as a Twitter message from the company states that its "working to resolve the issue," without acknowledging what led to the sudden loss of service.

Interestingly, the message is only directed at "some of you," rather than "everyone," so let us know if your service isn't experiencing any hiccups -- two of our US-based staff members were unable to connect as of this writing. Sony also notes that it'll keep folks updated via Twitter, so keep an eye out.

Update: It appears to be back in operation, for us at least.

View Poll

JoystiqPSA: PSN is down, Sony's 'working to resolve the issue' [update: it's back] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psapsnpsn-outagepsppublic-service-announcementsonyWed, 21 Sep 2011 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN undergoing maintenance tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psn-undergoing-maintenance-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psn-undergoing-maintenance-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psn-undergoing-maintenance-tomorrow/#comments The European PlayStation Blog is reporting that PSN will be under maintenance today "from 17:00 until 19:00 on Thursday 8 September 2011, BST." On our clocks, that's Thursday from noon to 2PM EDT. The store, account management, and new account creation will be out of commission for that time.

These European outages usually translate to outages on the American side as well. To occupants of either region: if you have any PSN games you wanted to play tomorrow, you should go ahead and get them now. If that's too subtle of a hint, go get BloodRayne now.

JoystiqPSN undergoing maintenance tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeoutageplaystationps3psnpspsonyWed, 07 Sep 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live experiencing service outages, including Black Ops and Reach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/xbox-live-experiencing-service-outages-including-black-ops-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/xbox-live-experiencing-service-outages-including-black-ops-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/xbox-live-experiencing-service-outages-including-black-ops-and/#comments If you've been having issues doing stuff on Xbox Live, you're not alone. Well, you are alone, because you can't connect to your online friends, but other people are having problems too.

Since last night, Xbox Live has been having various service outages, reported on its status page. Last night, it was Netflix; today, the site reports issues with creating, managing, and recovering accounts, and with creating, maintaining, or joining matches in Call of Duty: Black Ops and Halo Reach.

We're checking with Microsoft to determine the cause of these outages, and if possible the expected duration. Did the pizza guy trip over a cord, or was it something more serious? Like, maybe some pizza also got into one of the server's vents.

[Thanks, Vlad.]

JoystiqXbox Live experiencing service outages, including Black Ops and Reach originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-black-opshalo-reachmicrosoftoutagexboxxbox-liveWed, 03 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Store down for two-hour maintenance period today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/playstation-store-down-for-two-hour-maintenance-period-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/playstation-store-down-for-two-hour-maintenance-period-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/playstation-store-down-for-two-hour-maintenance-period-today/#comments We know our first instinct upon finding the PlayStation Store down would be to freak out and shred our credit cards. That's why it's important that you know this ahead of time -- the Store will be down today from 9AM-11AM PST (12PM-2PM EST). It's Sony's own doing, not the work of any lulz-motivated cabal. Sony says that other PSN functions won't be affected by the Store outage.

It's just maintenance. It'll be all right.

JoystiqPlayStation Store down for two-hour maintenance period today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-storeps3psapsnpspsonyThu, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Marketplace experiencing outages [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/xbox-live-marketplace-experiencing-outages/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/xbox-live-marketplace-experiencing-outages/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/xbox-live-marketplace-experiencing-outages/#comments The Xbox Live status page (and our own abortive efforts to download stuff) reveals that the Xbox Live Marketplace is currently experiencing an interruption in service.

According to the site, "users may experience difficulties" browsing Xbox Live Indie Games, the Games Marketplace, or the Games for Windows Live Marketplace from either an Xbox or a PC. It's more than "difficult" -- in our case, at least, the XBLIG page returns no results at all.

Given recent history, it's tempting to jump immediately to topic of hacking. However, there's no evidence of that, so we're going to assume the blame lies with molemen instead. Molemen are stealing our Marketplace access.

Update: Microsoft sent Joystiq a statement attributing the outage to "an internal operational error," which it is working to resolve "as quickly as possible." You can find the full statement -- which does not confirm or deny the involvement of molemen -- after the break.

Continue reading Xbox Live Marketplace experiencing outages [update]

JoystiqXbox Live Marketplace experiencing outages [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-for-windows-livemicrosoftmolemenoutagepcxbligxblmxblm-outage-2011xboxWed, 25 May 2011 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony responds to Congress with open letter, suggests 'Anonymous' was responsible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-with-open-letter-suggests-anonymous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-with-open-letter-suggests-anonymous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sony-responds-to-congress-with-open-letter-suggests-anonymous/#comments In response to a letter sent to Sony by the US House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, Sony's Kazuo Hirai sent an open letter detailing Sony's "principles" in dealing with the PSN outage and Sony/SOE data leaks. The full letter has been scanned and placed on Flickr for public view.

A PlayStation Blog post summarizes the content of the letter. According to Hirai, Sony has worked under the following four principles in dealing with the issue: "Act with care and caution, " "Provide relevant information to the public when it has been verified," "Take responsibility for our obligations to our customers," and "Work with law enforcement authorities."

In addition, the letter and post provide a timeline of the attack, including this early clue: "We discovered that the intruders had planted a file on one of our Sony Online Entertainment servers named 'Anonymous' with the words 'We are Legion.'" Despite that evidence, Sony still says it has yet to identify the "individual(s) responsible for the breach." It's unclear if that means Sony does not think the hacking organization known as Anonymous was responsible or, rather, if it hasn't managed to uncover the actual identities of Anonymous' ... err, anonymous contributors.

The "Welcome Back" program was also detailed, through which Sony is offering free downloads, and free PlayStation Plus memberships (and Qriocity access for those subscribers) lasting 30 days plus the length of the PSN outage.

JoystiqSony responds to Congress with open letter, suggests 'Anonymous' was responsible originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congresshouse-of-representativeskaz-hiraikazuo-hiraioutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonysony-online-entertainmentWed, 04 May 2011 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Online loses 12,700 credit card account numbers, 24.6 million accounts compromised [update 2]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-hit-with-second-attack-loses-12-700-credit-card-nu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-hit-with-second-attack-loses-12-700-credit-card-nu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-hit-with-second-attack-loses-12-700-credit-card-nu/#comments Following up on this morning's news that Sony Online Entertainment servers were offline across the board, SOE announced that it has lost 12,700 customer credit card numbers as the result of an attack, and roughly 24.6 million accounts may have been breached.

The company took SOE servers offline after learning of the attack last evening, and today detailed the unfortunate results: "approximately 12,700 non-US credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes), and about 10,700 direct debit records of certain customers in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain" were lost, apparently from "an outdated database from 2007." Of the 12,700 total, 4,300 are alleged to be from Japan, while the remainder come from the aforementioned four European countries.

Furthermore, Sony ties today's announcement directly to the recent attacks on PlayStation Network and Qriocity, and says SOE customer information was stolen on either April 16 or April 17. Sony has repeatedly stated that its PSN servers and SOE servers are not part of the same network, so it remains unclear just how these two attacks are tied together. Head past the break for the full statement from Sony.

Update, 9:03PM EST: SOE has provided us with the following statement, in which it confirms that its user data was stolen as part of the original intrusion -- not a second attack. "While the two systems are distinct and operated separately, given that they are both under the SONY umbrella, there is some degree of architecture that overlaps. The intrusions were similar in nature. This is NOT a second attack; new information has been discovered as part of our ongoing investigation of the external intrusion in April."

Update, 3:45PM EST on 5/3/11: SOE has told GamesIndustry.biz that, of the 12,700 stolen cards, just 900 were still active.

Continue reading Sony Online loses 12,700 credit card account numbers, 24.6 million accounts compromised [update 2]

JoystiqSony Online loses 12,700 credit card account numbers, 24.6 million accounts compromised [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonysony-online-entertainmentMon, 02 May 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: 'No truth' to story of credit card information sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-no-truth-to-story-of-credit-card-information-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-no-truth-to-story-of-credit-card-information-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/sony-no-truth-to-story-of-credit-card-information-sale/#comments During the marathon late-night press conference this weekend, Sony cleared up plans for the reactivation of PSN and the nature of the attack that led to its being taken down. What it didn't clear up was the status of users' credit cards.

Responding to rumors that credit card numbers were offered for sale on forums -- and even presented to Sony in an attempt to get the company to buy it back -- SCEA PR director Patrick Seybold said that "to my knowledge there is no truth to this report of a list, or that Sony was offered an opportunity to purchase the list." It's not quite a categorical denial of credit card information being leaked -- but at least it's confirmation that nobody's trying to extort Sony with it.

Seybold reiterated what Kaz Hirai said Sunday morning: that nobody from Sony will contact you seeking any ID. Should someone do so, they are up to something nefarious.

JoystiqSony: 'No truth' to story of credit card information sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit-cardoutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyMon, 02 May 2011 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE suspends services after discovering 'an issue']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/soe-suspends-services-after-discovering-an-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/soe-suspends-services-after-discovering-an-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/soe-suspends-services-after-discovering-an-issue/#comments Uh-oh. While Sony Online Entertainment had assured its customers last week that, "to the best of our knowledge, no customer personal information got out to any unauthorized person or persons" during last month's breach into Sony's systems, the MMO division today suspended its games and services, including its websites and Facebook titles.

"We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily," the group said in a brief statement this morning. "In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately."

SOE added that it would provide an update later today. In the meantime, the notification page suggests you download and play some (offline) casual games to distract you from that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Update: SOE has announced that it has lost 12,700 customer credit card numbers as the result of an attack, and roughly 24.6 million accounts may have been breached. Check out our follow-up post for more information.

JoystiqSOE suspends services after discovering 'an issue' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlineeverquesteverquest-2facebookfree-realmsmmooutagepcplanetsideplaystationps3psn-outage-2011soestar-wars-galaxiesstation.comvanguard-saga-of-heroesMon, 02 May 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's PSN regional breakdown, by the numbers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/sonys-psn-regional-breakdown-by-the-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/sonys-psn-regional-breakdown-by-the-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/sonys-psn-regional-breakdown-by-the-numbers/#comments Wondering how at risk your country is percentage-wise for theft identity due to PlayStation Network's recent breach? This handy charted tweeted by 8-4's Mark MacDonald should help break down just that for you!

Continue reading Sony's PSN regional breakdown, by the numbers

JoystiqSony's PSN regional breakdown, by the numbers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonySun, 01 May 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Some PSN services to return this week, full services 'within this month']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/some-psn-services-to-return-this-week-full-services-within-thi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/some-psn-services-to-return-this-week-full-services-within-thi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/some-psn-services-to-return-this-week-full-services-within-thi/#comments Sony's US PlayStation blog tonight announced that "some PlayStation Network and Qriocity services" will become available this week as the company scrambles to build a new server home in the wake of a security breach earlier this month. Though no specific time or date is named, the post lays out a plan to "begin a phased restoration by region" of services "shortly," alongside a mandatory system update for all consoles forcing a change in password, before the full return of services "within this month."

With the return of services will also come a new position at Sony Corporation: chief information security officer, a position that will report to current chief information officer Shinji Hasejima. Additionally, the company says it is expediting an "already planned move" of its data center -- a data center the post claims to have been "under construction and development for several months," despite the attacks having only occurred within the past few weeks. Sony also detailed its "Welcome Back" appreciation program a bit more thoroughly, though it still remains unclear what content the company will be offering in various regions as an apology. The list of known services returning to PSN this week are listed after the break.

Continue reading Some PSN services to return this week, full services 'within this month'

JoystiqSome PSN services to return this week, full services 'within this month' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 May 2011 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonySun, 01 May 2011 01:35:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/psn-outage-plus-qriocity-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/psn-outage-plus-qriocity-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/psn-outage-plus-qriocity-free/#comments Notes handed out before a Sony press conference today (timed so conveniently at 1am EDT in the US, and noon on the Sunday of Golden Week in Japan) reveal that Sony plans to offer free downloads of unidentified "content," 30 days of free PlayStation Plus access to new and existing members, and 30 days of free Qriocity service. The paper also says that PSN service will be restored "soon."

Two days ago, a PlayStation Blog Q&A post mentioned that the company was considering a "goodwill gesture" to PSN users (and sure, why not Qriocity users too) put out by the two-week outage. The company will likely have to provide much more dramatic gestures to appease all the government organizations who have taken interest in the case (and, you know, that enormous data leak).

Follow along after the break for pseudo-liveblog coverage of the presentation by Kaz Hirai and other executives.

Continue reading PSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity

JoystiqPSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 May 2011 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankaz-hiraikazuo-hiraioutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonySun, 01 May 2011 00:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Congress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/#comments The list of organizations Sony's going to be answering to about the PlayStation Network security breach is growing with alarming speed. The latest addition to the horde is the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which sent a letter to executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai yesterday with a number of inquiries about the nature of the breach, as well as the company's response to its consumers' collective exposure.

The letter, which was penned by subcommittee chair and California representative Mary Bono Mack, imposes questions including why the company is unsure whether users' credit card info was taken, as well as what steps Sony's taking to prevent future breaches. We're assuming that the question of "When's the PSN coming back online, because some of us are trying to get some Portal 2 co-op Trophies over here," was omitted, as it was found to not be "governmenty" enough.

JoystiqCongress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congresshouse-of-representativeskaz-hiraioutageplaystationpoliticsps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonySat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hirai to address PSN security breach at 1 a.m. EDT]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/hirai-to-address-psn-security-breach-at-1-a-m-edt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/hirai-to-address-psn-security-breach-at-1-a-m-edt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/hirai-to-address-psn-security-breach-at-1-a-m-edt/#comments Though we've been getting frequent updates from PlayStation Blog on the state of the recently intruded-upon PlayStation Network, one of the massive corporation's higher-ups is now planning to step forward to field some of our questions. According to Reuters, Sony Corp executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai is scheduled to address the media about the PSN outage and security breach in Tokyo tomorrow at 2 p.m. (1 a.m. EDT).

The predicament must be weighing heavy upon Hirai, who was promoted last month to a position meant to groom him for possibly inheriting the CEO seat from Howard Stringer. Then again, this might be the perfect opportunity for Hirai to set himself apart from the other contenders: If he singlehandedly manages to fix these problems using the ol' Hirai charms, he's a lock for the job.

JoystiqHirai to address PSN security breach at 1 a.m. EDT originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kaz-hiraikazuo-hiraioutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonysony-corpSat, 30 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamasutra examines a PlayStation brand in crisis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/gamasutra-examines-a-playstation-brand-in-crisis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/gamasutra-examines-a-playstation-brand-in-crisis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/gamasutra-examines-a-playstation-brand-in-crisis/#comments Hard as it may be to recall, at the turn of the century, "PlayStation" had replaced "Nintendo" as the colloquialism for "video game," and the PS2 was beginning its unprecedented run of 150 million units shipped. The brand was nothing short of "awe-inspiring," as Gamasutra business editor Colin Campbell recounts in a recent editorial. But a decade later, "the PlayStation brand is in gentle decline," observes Campbell. "And the events of the past week could accelerate that decline into something more serious."

In his thorough assessment of Sony's "predictably pitiful" response to the current crisis, Campbell poses a most distressing possibility. Imagine if, in a year's time, we were to look back and reflect: "'It just kinda went away, didn't it? Sony entirely laid the blame on the hackers, launched a lot of legal flak, refused to take any responsibility, offered the minimum clarity and token recompense. But no-one cares any more. At least they've encrypted my personal data now.'" Could we really settle for that?

While Campbell lays out an otherwise convincing ideal game plan for Sony to follow -- where is KB on this one, really? -- he's also suggesting that, aside from unavoidable short-term costs, the crisis could blow over for the company. It would seem, then, that in order to prevent such a sorry (non) response from Sony, video game media and consumers alike will have to act and not just react. Now that we've changed our passwords and checked our credit reports, what next? Do we just sit back and hope a freebie is coming our way? Is that how little it takes for us to forgive and forget? Or can we continue to push Sony for a respectful response -- and, if that fails, take our business elsewhere?

The video game community at large doesn't have to clean up Sony's mess, but we owe it to ourselves and each other to ensure Sony does the job right. Otherwise, we risk continuing to be treated as uninvolved, adolescent basement-dwellers. The hackers among us shouldn't be the only ones to teach Sony a lesson.

JoystiqGamasutra examines a PlayStation brand in crisis originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandoutageplaystationprps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyFri, 29 Apr 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Homeland Security, FBI looking into PSN breach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/homeland-security-fbi-looking-into-psn-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/homeland-security-fbi-looking-into-psn-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/homeland-security-fbi-looking-into-psn-breach/#comments The situation surrounding the PSN outage and data breach just got real. How real? The US government is now involved. The "Computer Emergency Readiness Team, "under the Department of Homeland Security, " is working with law enforcement, international partners and Sony to assess the situation," DHS spokesperson Chris Ortman told NextGov.

Did you know we had a Computer Emergency Readiness Team? That team's role is to work with affected companies to improve security and restore service, and share information with other security-related organizations to prevent future breaches.

Another federal agency is also looking into it, with a more punitive mindset. "The FBI is aware of the reports concerning the alleged intrusion into the Sony on line game server and we have been in contact with Sony concerning this matter," FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth told Kotaku. "We are presently reviewing the available information in an effort to determine the facts and circumstances concerning this alleged criminal activity."

JoystiqHomeland Security, FBI looking into PSN breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department-of-homeland-securityfbioutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyFri, 29 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony evaluating possible goodwill gesture for PSN outage and breach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/sony-evaluating-possible-goodwill-gesture-for-psn-outage-and-bre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/sony-evaluating-possible-goodwill-gesture-for-psn-outage-and-bre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/sony-evaluating-possible-goodwill-gesture-for-psn-outage-and-bre/#comments There's been a lot for PSN users to be concerned about regarding the service's outage and recent, user-exposing security breach -- but one element that's gone unaddressed by Sony is, hey, what's in it for us? In a new, late night edition of PlayStation Blog's Q&A, Sony responds to our outcries for compensation, saying, "We are currently evaluating ways to show appreciation for your extraordinary patience as we work to get these services back online."

The FAQ post also confirms that any Trophies earned during the downtime will be synced without a hitch once the network comes back online, and that Friends lists and PlayStation Plus saves haven't been lost. Which is great, because that is definitely what we were worried about. Definitely not the fact that we're all in imminent danger of getting totally Talented Mr. Ripley'd.

JoystiqSony evaluating possible goodwill gesture for PSN outage and breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-plusps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyFri, 29 Apr 2011 00:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Geohot: War on hackers, lack of security experts caused PSN debacle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/geohot-war-on-hackers-lack-of-security-experts-caused-psn-deba/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/geohot-war-on-hackers-lack-of-security-experts-caused-psn-deba/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/geohot-war-on-hackers-lack-of-security-experts-caused-psn-deba/#comments With all the recent hubbub concerning the PSN outage and security breach, the plight of legally beleaguered PS3 jailbreaker George "Geohot" Hotz may have slipped from your periphery. However, the notorious hacker recently posted in his personal blog about the incident, explaining he had nothing to do with the attacks on Sony's user info database. "I'm not crazy," Hotz said, "and would prefer to not have the FBI knocking on my door."

Hotz added that the gaming community might be misplacing some of its anger over the intrusion, saying, "Let's not fault the Sony engineers for this, the same way I do not fault the engineers who designed the BMG rootkit." He added, "The fault lies with the executives who declared a war on hackers, laughed at the idea of people penetrating the fortress that once was Sony, whined incessantly about piracy, and kept hiring more lawyers when they really needed to hire good security experts." A good point -- though, now, we think they're probably going to need all the lawyers they can get.

JoystiqGeohot: War on hackers, lack of security experts caused PSN debacle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geohotgeorge-hotzhackeroutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyThu, 28 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PlayStation Blog comment system tied to PSN accounts, also down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/psa-playstation-blog-comment-system-tied-to-psn-accounts-also/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/psa-playstation-blog-comment-system-tied-to-psn-accounts-also/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/psa-playstation-blog-comment-system-tied-to-psn-accounts-also/#comments The PSN outage has caused another (online) casualty: the PlayStation Blog's comment system. Commenters are required to sign in using their PlayStation Network accounts, which, of course, are inaccessible. Only those who signed in before the PSN went down are able to comment.

The European PS Blog warns that the cookies on comment account logins expire after a week, which means that even those lucky enough to have signed in just before PSN went kaput will lose their online voices soon. The site lists Twitter accounts for each country, and directs users to leave feedback there. Though, if we were Sony, we would have a hard time looking at that feedback.

JoystiqPSA: PlayStation Blog comment system tied to PSN accounts, also down originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationplaystation-blogps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyThu, 28 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Online Entertainment says its customer data is safe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-online-entertainment-says-its-customer-data-is-safe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-online-entertainment-says-its-customer-data-is-safe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-online-entertainment-says-its-customer-data-is-safe/#comments Though the PlayStation Network and Qriocity side of Sony's digital services may have been subject to a massive breach of user information, it seems that Sony Online Entertainment product users are safe. SOE reps took to Sony's forums to clear the air, saying, "We have been conducting a thorough investigation and, to the best of our knowledge, no customer personal information got out to any unauthorized person or persons."

The post also acknowledges a "continuing investigation" currently taking place at SOE, and notes that the company will "promptly notify" customers of any change in the situation. SOE's games -- including Free Realms and DC Universe Online -- temporarily went offline on April 21 and have since had service restored. An SOE rep states that "SOE's systems and databases are separate from PSN's," thus explaining how the company's games are still working -- and how your information wasn't stolen.

Meanwhile, as reported by our sister site Massively, SOE is working on a "make good plan" for Free Realms and DCUO players on the PlayStation 3, as well as holding a handful of in-game events across multiple games in the coming weeks.

JoystiqSony Online Entertainment says its customer data is safe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DC-Universe-Onlinemacmmooutagepcplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011soesonysony-online-entertainmentThu, 28 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: New PS3 firmware to accompany PSN relaunch, network being physically rebuilt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-new-ps3-firmware-to-accompany-psn-relaunch-network-being/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-new-ps3-firmware-to-accompany-psn-relaunch-network-being/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-new-ps3-firmware-to-accompany-psn-relaunch-network-being/#comments Sony has posted an updated PSN outage FAQ on the PlayStation Blog, and while some information it contains seems to reiterate things we already know -- "some services" will return within a week, you should monitor your credit card(s) -- new details have been brought to light.

First off, Sony is "working on a new system software update that will require all users to change their password once PlayStation Network is restored." It's also been confirmed that PSN is being physically rebuilt as a result of last week's intrusion. SCEA PR director Patrick Seybold states in the FAQ that the company is "moving our network infrastructure and data center to a new, more secure location, which is already underway."

Also revealed: While "the entire credit card table was encrypted" and there remains "no evidence that credit card data was taken," PSN's personal data table "was not encrypted, but was, of course, behind a very sophisticated security system." Not sophisticated enough, apparently.

JoystiqSony: New PS3 firmware to accompany PSN relaunch, network being physically rebuilt originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmwareoutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011securitysonyWed, 27 Apr 2011 20:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Sony distributing new security-enhancing SDK to PS3 devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/rumor-sony-distributing-new-security-enhancing-sdk-to-ps3-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/rumor-sony-distributing-new-security-enhancing-sdk-to-ps3-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/rumor-sony-distributing-new-security-enhancing-sdk-to-ps3-devs/#comments Sony is reportedly making the most of the PlayStation Network's hacker-triggered downtime by providing developers with new security tools to integrate into their games. Gamasutra cites development sources who say that they are being asked to begin using a new version of the PS3 SDK prior to PSN going back online, something that's supposed to happen within the next seven days.

Joystiq has reached out to its own development sources in an attempt to confirm this report. If you're a developer with insight into the steps Sony is taking to secure PSN against future security breaches, we'd love to hear from you at tips@joystiq.com.

JoystiqRumor: Sony distributing new security-enhancing SDK to PS3 devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>outageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011sdksecuritysonyWed, 27 Apr 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Class action lawsuit filed against Sony for security breach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-sony-for-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-sony-for-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-sony-for-security-breach/#comments As expected, the first federal class action lawsuit addressing the recent PSN security breach has been drawn up and submitted to the Northern District Court of California. The complaint, which was filed by the Rothken Law Firm representing 36-year-old Alabama resident Kristopher Johns (as well as every other affected PSN user), accuses Sony of "failure to maintain adequate computer data security of consumer personal data and financial data," and of failing to take "reasonable care to protect, encrypt, and secure the private and sensitive data of its users."

The suit also accuses the company of waiting too long to inform users about the breach, preventing them from making "an informed decision as to whether to change credit card numbers, close the exposed accounts, check their credit reports, or take other mitigating actions." The suit is seeking compensatory damages for the time and costs required to check their credit reports or change their credit or debit card information, as well as compensation for the PSN downtime.

According to IGN, Rothken Law Firm co-counsel J.R. Parker said in a statement, "Sony's breach of its customers' trust is staggering." He added, "Sony promised its customers that their information would be kept private. One would think that a large multinational corporation like Sony has strong protective measures in place to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of personal information, including credit card information. Apparently, Sony doesn't."

A PDF of the court document is embedded after the jump.

Continue reading Class action lawsuit filed against Sony for security breach

JoystiqClass action lawsuit filed against Sony for security breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-actionlawsuitlegaloutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011psprothken-law-firmsonyWed, 27 Apr 2011 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony may be hit with £500K fine over PSN data loss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-may-be-hit-with-500k-fine-over-psn-data-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-may-be-hit-with-500k-fine-over-psn-data-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-may-be-hit-with-500k-fine-over-psn-data-loss/#comments The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), a non-departmental public body, has contacted Sony to determine where PlayStation Network data is stored -- not in an effort to locate the hackers who reportedly grabbed it, but to determine whether any of it is being stored in the UK.

If PSN user data is stored in the UK, then it is subject to the Data Protection Act, which requires companies that hold personal data to provide adequate security for it. Notably, the law would trump Sony's PSN Terms and Conditions, which includes the line: "We exclude all liability for loss of data or unauthorised access to your data, Sony Online Network account or Sony Online Network wallet and for damage caused to your software or hardware as a result of using or accessing Sony Online Network."

"If we found a breach," an ICO rep told Edge, "one of the actions we could take would be to issue an undertaking, which is an agreement between the ICO and the company that if they are handling personal information they have to bring about set improvements in order for them to be compliant with the act." If the company fails to comply, the rep added, "further action would be taken, and we might consider an enforcement notice or issue a monetary penalty." For a serious breach, the fine can reach £500,000 (more than $800,000).

Admittedly, that wouldn't be a huge payout for Sony, but considering the other costs of the security breach and PSN outage the company stands to incur, it would probably sting a little.

JoystiqSony may be hit with £500K fine over PSN data loss originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fineinformation-commissioners-officelegaloutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsecuritysonyukWed, 27 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Breach: What it means for you, and for Sony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-breach-what-it-means-for-you-and-for-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-breach-what-it-means-for-you-and-for-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-breach-what-it-means-for-you-and-for-sony/#comments It's been nearly one week since the PlayStation Network servers were taken down due to an "external intrusion," and nearly one day since we learned PSN users' personal information was stolen during said intrusion. We're still not quite sure of the full scope of the security breach, but the latest update from Sony paints a fairly upsetting picture: Gamers' personal (and, possibly, financial) data has been exposed on a scale more massive than the gaming industry has ever seen.

To help get a grasp on the situation, we spoke with consumer advocates and tech industry figures about what gamers can expect in the aftermath of this security breach. For instance: What financial or legal repercussions might Sony be facing in the coming months? And what can PSN users do to protect themselves from potential identity theft?

Continue reading PSN Breach: What it means for you, and for Sony

JoystiqPSN Breach: What it means for you, and for Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer-advocacyecahackinghal-halpinidentity-theftmichael-pachteroutageplaystationplaystation-storeps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyWed, 27 Apr 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN devs offer mixed reactions to cost of outage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-devs-offer-mixed-reactions-to-cost-of-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-devs-offer-mixed-reactions-to-cost-of-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/psn-devs-offer-mixed-reactions-to-cost-of-outage/#comments As consumers scramble to deal with the ramifications (identity theft!) of the PlayStation Network breach and subsequent outage, PSN developers are struggling with anxieties of their own.

"PSN being out definitely affects our bottom line," Q-Games Dylan Cuthbert told IndustryGamers, "but as long as the people who were going to be playing Shooter 2 and other PixelJunk titles will get right back in there playing them when it comes back up, we'll be happy and hopefully income won't be dented too much." That could prove to be a big "but" -- Cuthbert's comments came before we knew PSN users' personal information had been stolen and consumer trust in Sony perhaps irrevocably damaged.

Speaking to Develop, a UK-based developer, wishing to remain anonymous, observed that "people will be a bit more wary about using their credit card on PSN, so obviously we're nervous about sales."

"There may be a lot of people who won't want to spend their money through PlayStation Network now," the same developer added. "We're expecting a 5-10 percent drop in business." The dev estimated that the studio has already lost "thousands" in expected revenue.

Continue reading PSN devs offer mixed reactions to cost of outage

JoystiqPSN devs offer mixed reactions to cost of outage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dylan-cuthbertea-tiburonjust-add-watermad-blocker-alphamichael-pachteropen-emotionoutagepaddy-murphyplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspq-gamessonystewart-gilrayukWed, 27 Apr 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Hulu Plus offers one-week credit to subscribers using PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/hulu-plus-offers-one-week-credit-to-subscribers-using-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/hulu-plus-offers-one-week-credit-to-subscribers-using-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/hulu-plus-offers-one-week-credit-to-subscribers-using-psn/#comments Though it seems minor now compared to the loss of personal data, one unfortunate effect of the PSN outage has been the inability to watch Hulu Plus through the PS3.

Even though you can still use the paid service through your computer's browser, the iPhone and other devices, Hulu has chosen to compensate users for the lost PSN time by issuing one-week credits via email. The credit can be redeemed any time over the next two weeks -- it would probably be best to wait until there's a PSN again.

As a nice bonus, Hulu also assured users that "No personal Hulu Plus account information was compromised as part of the Sony intrusion."

[Thanks, Jordan]

JoystiqHulu Plus offers one-week credit to subscribers using PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hulu-plusoutageplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: response to PSN outage was dependent on 'forensic analysis']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-response-to-psn-outage-was-dependent-on-forensic-analysis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-response-to-psn-outage-was-dependent-on-forensic-analysis/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/sony-response-to-psn-outage-was-dependent-on-forensic-analysis/#comments What happened after Sony pulled the plug on PlayStation Network, and before it finally alerted customers that their information had been compromised during an unlawful intrusion? According to SCEE head of communications Nick Caplin, writing in a post on the European PlayStation blog this morning, Sony's lackluster communication efforts were impeded because the company didn't immediately assume the worst. "There's a difference in timing between when we identified there was an intrusion and when we learned of consumers' data being compromised," Caplin says.

He goes on to explain that Sony learned of the "illegal intrusion" on April 19 and "subsequently shut the services down," though the official FAQ he links to in his post claims that Sony found the breach "between April 17 and 19." Furthermore, Caplin says that after shutting down PSN and Qriocity, "It was necessary to conduct several days of forensic analysis, and it took our experts until yesterday to understand the scope of the breach." There's your disparity.

The FAQ further notes that services will remain down until Sony can "verify smooth operation" of its network, though the company is "working hard to resume the services as soon as we can be reasonably assured security concerns are addressed." It also notes that folks looking for refunds may be out of luck for the moment, as Sony "will assess the correct course of action" regarding such requests when "full services are restored."

Beyond one US Senator politicizing Sony's info breach, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office also announced today that it would be questioning the company on the issue. "We are contacting Sony and will be making further enquiries to establish the precise nature of the incident before deciding what action, if any, needs to be taken by this office," the ICO said of its plans in a statement to Eurogamer.

JoystiqSony: response to PSN outage was dependent on 'forensic analysis' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nick-caplinoutageplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspqriocitysceesonysony-computer-entertainment-europeWed, 27 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST