Sony’s PlayStation Network Works to Invite Gamers Back After “Highly Sophisticated” Breach in Online Security
Sony’s popular online gaming portal, PlayStation Network, was shut down a few weeks ago after the company recognized that the security of 77 million users’ personal information had been compromised. I guess in hindsight it’s a good thing my PS3 was put to rest a few months ago by the dreaded blue-screen-of-death.
In a letter submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives, which held a hearing May 4th in Washington, D.C. on “The Threat of Data Theft to American consumers,” Sony admitted that it had been a victim to a strategic attack on one of its SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) servers. The intruders planted a file titled “Anonymous,” linking the attack to an activist group that had previously targeted Sony after they filed a lawsuit against 21-year-old hacker George Holtz when he unlocked PlayStation 3’s operating system. Those cyberspace-cadets had also referred to themselves as “Anonymous,” enough to spook anyone into thinking the two events could be connected.
According to a press release published yesterday on the PlayStation Network blog, Sony informed the committee that the attack was “a very carefully planned, very professional, highly sophisticated criminal cyber attack.” To crack that network, which at the time consisted of “approximately 130 servers, 50 software programs and 77 million registered accounts,” I think it’s safe to say that is a fair assessment.
As for when you’ll be able to get back to killing zombies, romping around in stolen cars and executing undercover operations with your buddies online, Sony anticipates that the Network will be back, tighter than ever, by the end of this week. To make up for lost time, the company has announced a “Welcome Back” program that will offer subscribers 30 days of free membership in the PlayStation Plus premier service, the same for Music Unlimited subscribers and plenty of free downloads.
http://www.whitedm.com/
http://www.whitedm.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment