Something went wrong. Try again later

Punk1984

This user has not updated recently.

595 133 34 19
Forum Posts Wiki Points Following Followers

Is this PSN hack as bad as the RROD?

Before I get too far in; if you haven't heard the PSN was hacked thanks to custom firmware and registered PSN users personal information (including maybe credit card numbers) was compromised. Thanks GeoHot. SO the question has been running around about whether this is or is not as bad as the RROD. Well Sony managed to handle this in surprisingly Microsoft-esque  fashion by not telling everyone right away. Just kind of hoping it wasn't as bad as it could be and then having to fess up. We won't know how bad this effects Sony's reputation for a few months really, once the problem is solved and hoopla dies down, if the issue still lingers then we will know. For right now I would say no not really but that is only because the RROD was a much larger problem then what the PSN Hack seems to be right now. Having said that if people's credit information is compromised and the worst comes to pass this could be a big black eye on the PlayStation brand.
Sony needs to do something big to make up for this some gesture beyond giving away free PSN downloads. If I were in charge of Sony PR I would make sure a vague mention of this came up in the E3 keynote (along the lines of "We've learned from our mistakes and we are better") and a position was created to both keep in contact with web security and the customers. But I'm not in charge of Sony PR so I'll sit back and watch, I feel they've done a sub-par job thus far with this crisis but they haven't handled it the worst. Already SOny seems to be strengthening the network to protect users, but that isn't enough. If anything I think this will push Sony to price the PS3 at $199 before Microsoft, it would be the kind of big news story you need to cover this stuff up.

On a personal note this is why I am against hacking and home brewing. It opens a platform (and its customers) up to abuse in a way that most hackers don't for see. Geohot may play nice and say he only jail breaked the PS3 to run his own code but this is what happened and he is responsible for it. He is as responsible as Sony for any breach if not more so. Geohot bypassed the security safe guards and this is what happened.

If your information is compromised; I'm sorry, hate GeoHot and the hackers because it happened and hate Sony because they took their time telling you about it.


Edit-
So consensus seems to be that if this is as bad as it could be then this is a worse PR blunder than the RROD. However, it is interesting that most people in the other camp are taking a more relaxed approach to the problem (waiting to see if it is as bad as it could be.) There is also a third group that thinks they are not comparable.
I actually have to agree with both sides here; I think this initial response is pretty bad on Sony's part since the problem may not be as bad as it could be Sony has caused a lot of media attention. Unless credit card info was taken; Sony's worst day (with this fiasco) is behind them, they bit the bullet and told everyone to be cautious. Was that the smart thing to do? If the PSN goes back up in a week and nothing else happens, no probably not. At the same time if everything is ok, people will always say that at least Sony told them. Once again I think it is too early to tell because Sony only warned us of potential damage, if that comes to pass then the situation changes. PR wise I feel like they handled this "not-bad" like a C-. Sure it will give a little more gas to the flame wars but really at the end of the day at least they told us they screwed the pooch.
156 Comments

157 Comments

Avatar image for kaosangel-DELETED
KaosAngel

14251

Forum Posts

6507

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 3

Edited By KaosAngel

PS3 is doomed.  

Avatar image for madarenrut
MadaRenrut

161

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By MadaRenrut

it's good to see the overwhelming amount of responses to this is the obvious that this PSN hack is far worse than the hardware failure.  however it is also entertaining to read the few comments about how the RRoD is worse. the defense of getting a new credit card and changing passwords so it's no big deal?  first off if they do gain access to your credit cards and max it out and you dispute it, that affects your credit rating that is a long term effect in itself right there.
however, really that's all the information you are willing to believe they got.  they have purchase history, email addresses, your address, date of birth, your full name, credit card information, expiration dates, security codes.  so how do you go around changing your date of birth?  not to much information is needed to get a credit card opened in your name, not to much is needed to take a loan out in your name, not to much is needed to call your bank and transfer all your money out, or max out your credit cards.
it's a freaking gaming system and it's a billion dollar company that didn't spend any money to protect your information, yet you defend it like you would defend your family?!  sad.

Avatar image for punk1984
Punk1984

595

Forum Posts

133

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

Edited By Punk1984
@MadaRenrut: Mada I wasn't going to say anything else here but you're just fear mongering and I want to defuse it. Also you posted on someone else's blog post? I'm hurt you're a Trollope. @MadaRenrut said:
" it's good to see the overwhelming amount of responses to this is the obvious that this PSN hack is far worse than the hardware failure.  however it is also entertaining to read the few comments about how the RRoD is worse. the defense of getting a new credit card and changing passwords so it's no big deal?  first off if they do gain access to your credit cards and max it out and you dispute it, that affects your credit rating that is a long term effect in itself right there. however, really that's all the information you are willing to believe they got.  they have purchase history, email addresses, your address, date of birth, your full name, credit card information, expiration dates, security codes.  so how do you go around changing your date of birth?  not to much information is needed to get a credit card opened in your name, not to much is needed to take a loan out in your name, not to much is needed to call your bank and transfer all your money out, or max out your credit cards. it's a freaking gaming system and it's a billion dollar company that didn't spend any money to protect your information, yet you defend it like you would defend your family?!  sad. "
Once again there is no evidence that credit card information was leaked; Sony just warned you to be cautious. Also for those of you in the United States the following pieces of information are public domain and can be accessed by anyone with the time; Full Name, Current Mailing Address(es), date of birth, legal guardians/parents, phone number, place of current employment and political affiliation. To get a credit card or loan you will need a Social Security Number these things the hackers don't have. While I agree you can be as mad as you want at Sony it doesn't help anyone to be spreading wild stories.
Avatar image for yukoasho
yukoasho

2247

Forum Posts

6076

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 7

Edited By yukoasho
@Fait622 said:
" Who cares which one is worse? Really, who could give a flying fuck over what terrible fuck up is worse? Fanboys, that is it. Those are the only people that will debate what console manufacturer took a bigger shit on their customers. Try thinking about this from the point of view of a regular customer, if you own a PS3 and your network is down and your personal info potentially hacked, does it really matter that "Oh well, at least it's not as bad as what happened to those poor x-box users a couple years ago", your shit is still broken.
And if your x-box broke are you really gonna sit back and chuckle now that PS3 owners are getting fucked? If you are, then what the hell's the matter with you?
"
Pretty much.  There's no better or worse in the situations:  They're both shit.  I've had an Xbox 360 break on me, and while I don't play online much, the PSN going down does effect me in that I can't check messages on there or see the store.  It's crap, and I don't see the point of arguing whether hyena crap is better than giraffe crap.
Avatar image for madarenrut
MadaRenrut

161

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By MadaRenrut

What a QUICK response by Sony, I just got an email notification today from Playstation.  Here is the the email.
 Add PlayStation_Network@playstation-email.com to your address book

===================================

PlayStation(R)Network

===================================

Valued PlayStation(R)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:

1) Temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services;

2) Engaged an outside, recognized security firm to conduct a full
and complete investigation into what happened; and

3) Quickly taken steps to enhance security and strengthen our
network infrastructure by rebuilding our system to provide you
with greater protection of your personal information.

We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and goodwill
as we do whatever it takes to resolve these issues as quickly and
efficiently as practicable.

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.

For your security, we encourage you to be especially aware of email,
telephone and postal mail scams that ask for personal or sensitive
information. Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email,
asking for your credit card number, social security number or other
personally identifiable information. If you are asked for this information,
you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking. When the PlayStation
Network and Qriocity services are fully restored, we strongly recommend that
you log on and change your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation
Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated services or
accounts, we strongly recommend that you change them as well.

To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we
encourage you to remain vigilant, to review your account statements and
to monitor your credit reports. We are providing the following information
for those who wish to consider it:
- U.S. residents are entitled under U.S. law to one free credit report annually
from each of the three major credit bureaus. To order your free credit report,
visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free (877) 322-8228.

- We have also provided names and contact information for the three major U.S.
credit bureaus below. At no charge, U.S. residents can have these credit bureaus
place a "fraud alert" on your file that alerts creditors to take additional steps
to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. This service can
make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name. Note, however,
that because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you,
it also may delay your ability to obtain credit while the agency verifies your
identity. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others
are notified to place fraud alerts on your file. Should you wish to place a
fraud alert, or should you have any questions regarding your credit report,
please contact any one of the agencies listed below:

Experian: 888-397-3742; www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
Equifax: 800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
TransUnion: 800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division,
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

- You may wish to visit the website of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at
www.consumer.gov/idtheft or reach the FTC at 1- 877-382-4357 or 600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580 for further information about how to protect
yourself from identity theft. Your state Attorney General may also have advice
on preventing identity theft, and you should report instances of known or
suspected identity theft to law enforcement, your State Attorney General,
and the FTC. For North Carolina residents, the Attorney General can be
contacted at 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; telephone
(877) 566-7226; or www.ncdoj.gov. For Maryland residents, the Attorney
General can be contacted at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202;
telephone: (888) 743-0023; or www.oag.state.md.us.

We thank you for your patience as we complete our investigation of this
incident, and we regret any inconvenience. Our teams are working around the
clock on this, and services will be restored as soon as possible. Sony takes
information protection very seriously and will continue to work to ensure that
additional measures are taken to protect personally identifiable information.
Providing quality and secure entertainment services to our customers is
our utmost priority. Please contact us at 1- 800-345-7669 should you have any
additional questions.

Sincerely,

Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment

Avatar image for punk1984
Punk1984

595

Forum Posts

133

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

Edited By Punk1984
@MadaRenrut: Wow they must not like you I got email the day before yesterday.
Avatar image for gabriel
Gabriel

4139

Forum Posts

638

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 7

Edited By Gabriel
@Contro said:
" Sony's E3 should be an interesting spectacle, and not because of any games they may show. "
I expect a solid hour of Jack Trenton just punching faces.