Sony Warns Users of Potentially Compromised PlayStation Network Information

[Shawn Zipay]

Bad news PlayStation 3 owners, Sony is warning you that much of your PlayStation Network information may have been compromised. Furthermore, there is still no word yet on when the PlayStation Network will be back up and running.

The latest PlayStation Blog entry provides all of the sad details, here are a few of the "highlights" from their entry.

Valued PlayStation Network/Qriocity Customer:
We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network. In response to this intrusion, we have:

- Temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services;
- Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full and complete investigation into what happened; and
- Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our network infrastructure by re-building our system to provide you with greater protection of your personal information

They continue on to explain, in detail, what information may have been compromised in this security breach.

Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.

There are more details, including how you can protect your information on the PlayStation Blog. It's strongly urged that all PlayStation Network and Qriocity members read the article.

[K-16]

Re: Sony Warns Users of Potentially Compromised PlayStation Network Information

So... Sony won a settlement, only to potentially be fighting against a class-action lawsuit? Wow it sucks to be SCEA at this time. Protecting against homebrew/game developers, only to lose customer information (whatever that may be). I mean, if they left George Hotz alone then game developers probably would've sued SCEA for condoning piracy. So instead, they piss off the homebrew community and um... Well this happened. I have major doubts that the two incidents aren't connected despite what reports and people say. Although it is shooting yourself in the foot to nuke your own access to online games and communications with friends.