Topic: PSN = Privacy? Security? Never!

[Ceric]

Geesh - if Sony had invested half the money they've put into their anti-piracy measures into network security, I wonder how much of this would have happened.

That's because when they fight piracy they're defending *their* property. They don't give a **** about protecting the information of their customers. Its not Sony's problem, so why should they give a crap? So that's why the Anti-piracy mission comes first, and network security is somewhere far down on the list of company priorities, right under shampooing Kevin Butler's pet poodle.

Miniture poodles do get dirty pretty easily.

[BranDonk Kong]

Remember when I was saying how weak PSN's security was a while back? Remember when I said it didn't matter if you were using the console? Hate to say I told you so, especially since my CC info is on PSN as well.

[Chozo Ghost]

Remember when I was saying how weak PSN's security was a while back? Remember when I said it didn't matter if you were using the console? Hate to say I told you so, especially since my CC info is on PSN as well.

If you knew then why did you use your CC on it?

[ShyGuy]

Why did Morari hack PSN?

[BranDonk Kong]

I bought Mortal Kombat 2 (using my CC) long before the PS3 was ever hacked, and way before PSN's shortcomings were detailed. I haven't actually entered my CC info since my initial purchase, but it's on their servers, so I'm probably fucked. It's still the only PS3 game I've ever bought...still debating which version of MK9 to get. I kind of wanted the PS3 version, but since PSN no longer exists, I can't play it online.

[Chozo Ghost]

Sony shouldn't store your CC info like that. That just shows how little they care about the security of customer information, but they sure make major strides when their own property is threatened.

As for MK9, the PS3 version has the exclusive Kratos character. I don't know if that matters to you or not but I'm just putting that out there. It seems like they should have had an exclusive 360 character as well to compensate. Maybe they will add one later on? I'm sorta interested in MK9 myself, but I almost never buy games at full price so I'm going to wait.

[Stogi]

Meh...it's easy enough to get a new credit card sent to you. Companies even expect to at some point. I don't see why it's such a big deal. SSN's on the other hand...

[UncleBob]

It's a PITA because I have several online accounts (including bills) set up with one particular card.  Also, if you used your debit card instead of a credit card, depending on your bank, it may take longer to get any issues sorted out after your account gets cleared out.

[Stogi]

My bank charges me for lost/stolen debit cards. Fucking bank...

Anyway, yeah I understand it's a pain in the ass and a shitty situation, but there are ways to protect yourself.

[broodwars]

*sigh* I'm well on my way to my third Platinum (Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2) since the PSN went down and we're coming up on one week since the PSN first went down.  That's just sad, Sony.  It's going to be interesting to see what happens if the PSN's not up tonight considering we get our Shop updates every Tuesday.  They might just not update the Shop at all this week if the network's not restored by Tuesday evening.  Either way, Sony's going to have a hell of a time restoring faith in their online service after taking it down for so long and now seemingly rebuilding it from scratch.

And seriously, Chozo, I know you're being incredibly subtle about it, but we get that you hate Sony with what seems to be a very personal passion (which makes your decision to purchase a PS3 a very odd one).  Maybe 6 years ago their CD rootkits murdered your dog or something, but the constant harping on them for the same issues you've already listed is getting old.

[UncleBob]

Was any of that second half really necessary?  If you don't agree with someone's post, just skip over them.

Back on subject, there's a new rumor floating around that all server-side user data has been deleted.  Trophies, download records, etc., etc.  Supposedly, the reason PSN has been down so long is because SONY is working like hell to attempt to recover this stuff.

[NWR_insanolord]

That's as likely an explanation as I've heard as to why it's taken so long.

[oohhboy]

Nah, the CD rootkit not only murdered his dog, but sent his Cat to Gitmo and raped his computer on the way out.

Never Forget. 

He more likely a dedicated enough of a gamer too ignore the issue at the time, but obviously the **** has been just piled on top since then and like anyone who has ever invested in anything only to be dicked with, they are pissed.

WOW, either they had no backups or someone took virtual napalm to their servers. I can't figure out whether to be impressed or laugh.

[Chozo Ghost]

(which makes your decision to purchase a PS3 a very odd one).

Its not that odd. Although I dislike Sony, I am a gamer and the Wii just wasn't cutting it so what was I supposed to do? It was either that or the 360, and I decided against 360 because of the RROD issue and because of having to pay for online, and plus most of my friends have a PS3 instead of 360 so for all those reasons it made more sense at the time. This was back in mid-late January. So we're only in April now, but all this crap with the PS3 security been broken and then Geohotz being sued and later settling and Anon declaring war on them and PSN being down for a week is all stuff that happened AFTER I bought the PS3. I'm not a psychic, so how could I have known this was all going to transpire?

Knowing what I do know now I probably would have went with the 360.

[Enner]

One, Sony isn't talking specifics, with the latest update on the PlayStation Blog from senior director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold only outlining that the company has identified "a compromise of personal information as a result of an illegal intrusion on our systems."

Two, probably within a week--at least for some parts of PSN. "We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week," said Seybold. "We’re working day and night to ensure it is done as quickly as possible."

Three, the answer is yes. Here's what was available to intruders: "name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID." It's also "possible" that "your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers" were included.

Unfortunately, credit card details remain a mystery. "While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility," added Seybold. "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."

Ah crap. Kind of regretting I have a PSN account now. Time to change some passwords.

[lolmonade]

Enner beat me to it.  Bad news all around. 

I'm not happy with the hackers that compromised my data, but I'm more-so angry with Sony.  They are the gatekeepers of mine and obviously millions of other users personal data in this circumstance, and were expected to have the proper checks in place to prevent such fraud.  It is deplorable that they could have such limited capability to defend against this type of intrusion.

Let this also be a lesson to people who rooted on the hackers throughout all of this fiasco.  You had every right to be upset at Sony for their recent actions that hurt their customers more than hackers, but it is apparent now that the consumer will be the one to pay regardless of who wins in this fight of corporation vs. pirates.

[broodwars]

I'm curious how widespread the intrusion was.  I've seen conflicting statements from Sony on this, as their recent PSN Blog update specifically states "certain accounts" were hacked (which would fit in with the rumor that Admin and Dev accounts were hacked), while in other statements they aren't sure of the damage.  That their Blog update advises PSN users to place Credit Fraud Alerts on their accounts with 3 major credit institutions isn't a good sign.

Depending on the damage incurred, I'll be interested to see if there are any lawsuits filed against Sony for negligence in the design of PSN security.  If the information leak is as bad as we fear, I wouldn't blame folks for doing so (since I highly doubt the hacker or hackers will ever be caught).

[Chozo Ghost]

If I ever get back on PSN I'm changing my name on there to John Smith and I live on 123 Makebelieve Street.

[broodwars]

If I ever get back on PSN I'm changing my name on there to John Smith and I live on 123 Makebelieve Street.

It's too late for that.  I highly suggest following the instructions on the PSN Blog and placing a Fraud Alert on your name, as I have now done.  It only lasts for 90 days, but at least it's some protection.

[Chozo Ghost]

I meant for the next time it gets hacked.

[broodwars]

I meant for the next time it gets hacked.

Well, let's hope it doesn't.  Given that Sony's taken the PSN offline for so long (and is only tentatively promising for it to return "sometime this week"), one would hope that they are rebuilding the network to be as hacker-proof as is possible in this day and age.  If for no other reason, you'd think they would do it to ward off lawsuits from victims of Identity Fraud.

It's really a shame that this is what the situation has come to, as my PS3 is by far my favorite of my 3 current gen systems and I'm on it all the time.  Stuff like this really sours what is otherwise a very solid gaming experience.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Watching BBC News 24 as I type. One of the top stories, as the scrolling text on the screen is repeatedly telling me, looks very grim:

'Sony says an unauthorised person has stolen names, addresses and other personal data belonging to about 77 million people who have accounts on the PlayStation Network.'

Jeez. That's really serious.

[Ian Sane]

Hmmmmm, this kind of sucks.

I haven't bought anything through PSN so they shouldn't have my credit card number.  But I'm pretty sure I used by real name and address for my account.  Why wouldn't I?  But then my name and address is pretty public to begin with.  It is it any different then looking it up in the phone book?

[MegaByte]

Why the hell were passwords available? They should not be storing passwords.

[broodwars]

Why the hell were passwords available? They should not be storing passwords.

Why not?  It's one of the two pieces of information you need to log into your PSN account.