Playstation Network outage

Rico · May 10, 2011, 08:36:34 AM

Quote from: billybob476 on May 10, 2011, 06:44:19 AM
I will remain silent regarding some project I've worked on...let's just say it happens more then you'd be comfortable believing.

Oh, I have no doubt it happens all the time. Just like most products of all types are built and shipped with known flaws or issues.

Feathers · May 11, 2011, 02:03:08 AM

Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on May 09, 2011, 04:09:10 PM
Alright, I know that people make mistakes, but to me, this just looks like sheer negligence. I don't think that just sending them free games is the right punishment for the possible damages they could have caused by this. What do you guys think about this?

King

I think you have unrealistically high expectations of company behaviour...

Dangelus · May 11, 2011, 05:29:57 AM

Just a thought. I have a PSN account but haven't owed a PS3 in a couple of years. Still get related emails. I wonder if they'll send me some free stuff?

Would be nice to trade in for some Apple gear... ;)

Jobydrone · May 11, 2011, 06:40:43 AM

They'll almost certainly only be offering download codes.

Rico · May 11, 2011, 08:47:07 AM

Interesting article here on Sony's lack of communication during all this - especially early on.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/144054/20110511/sony-playstation-network-outage-psn-outage-sony-hackers-sony-pr-sony-response.htm

Rico · May 12, 2011, 08:51:31 AM

So, it looks like some people are trading in their PS3's as the outage continues. Poor Sony....

Users are trading in their PlayStation 3 consoles due to PlayStation Network being offline, according to a report.

Retail sources told Edge that there has been a rise in systems being swapped for cash or Xbox 360s, and that sales of PSN points cards have plummeted.

"In the first week of downtime we did not really see any major change in sales or trades," said a store manager at one major retailer.

"However, from the second week onwards we have seen an increase of over 200% on PS3 consoles being traded in, split almost 50/50 between those trading for cash and those taking a 360 instead."

Another source said that users trading in their systems were the "hardcore online shooter crowd", a group notably affected by the prolonged downtime.

It has been reported that sales and pre-orders of multiplatform titles have also declined on the platform, with players opting for the Xbox 360 version or canceling orders altogether.

Customer satisfaction has reportedly been hit, with those trading in hardware and software "annoyed" at how Sony has handled the security breach and its lack of communication.

Earlier this week, Sony said that it was unsure of an exact date for the return of PlayStation Network, but has suggested that all services will be fully operational by the end of the month.

PlayStation Network, which currently supports 77 million users worldwide, went offline on the evening of Wednesday, April 20 as a result of hacker activity.

It was confirmed the following Tuesday, April 26 that personal information was taken as a result of the breach. Sony has since recruited an external security firm to help create a more robust network infrastructure.

http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a319184/playstation-network-outage-hits-ps3-trade-ins.html

KingIsaacLinksr · May 12, 2011, 09:25:20 AM

Knew this was going to happen and as much as I'd pity them, Sony brought this upon themselves. Getting that badly hacked and then not restoring service for another month would make a lot of people switch to PC or XBox.

King.

Jobydrone · May 12, 2011, 11:59:23 AM

This all originates with their original, in hindsight extremely foolhardy, decision to remove the "other OS" functionality of the PS3, which is what put Sony directly in the line of fire of these hacker groups in the first place. I totally agree that they brought this on themselves, by removing features that shipped with the console that were obviously important to a group of customers. Crazily enough, Sony stated a large part of the decision to remove the other OS functionality was to make the system more secure against piracy and hacking.

KingIsaacLinksr · May 12, 2011, 03:10:33 PM

Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on May 12, 2011, 11:59:23 AM
This all originates with their original, in hindsight extremely foolhardy, decision to remove the "other OS" functionality of the PS3, which is what put Sony directly in the line of fire of these hacker groups in the first place. I totally agree that they brought this on themselves, by removing features that shipped with the console that were obviously important to a group of customers. Crazily enough, Sony stated a large part of the decision to remove the other OS functionality was to make the system more secure against piracy and hacking.

I've found companies have no idea how to counter piracy and/or hacking. If they truly did, they would remove a good chunk of it. You'll never erase it, but you could easily cripple it and its just appealing to our better nature....

King

Rico · May 13, 2011, 08:43:42 AM

Leaked letter detailing some of the how, when, etc. of the Sony security breach:

A letter sent from Sony to publishers of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity—the breached online entertainment services entering day 23 in the dark—has revealed a few more details about what happened.
No, it doesn't answer your most pressing question of "when will the services be resumed?" but the letter, obtained by and published in full at Industry Gamers, explains how the hack was discovered:
"On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Sony discovered that several PlayStation Network servers unexpectedly rebooted themselves and that unplanned and unusual activity was taking place on the network. This activity triggered an immediate response.

"Sony mobilized a larger internal team to assist the investigation of the four suspect servers. That team discovered the first credible indications that an intruder had been in the PlayStation Network system, and six more servers were identified as possibly being compromised. Sony immediately decided to shut down all of the PlayStation Network services in order to prevent any additional damage.

"The scope and complexity of the investigation grew substantially as additional evidence about the attack developed.

The forensic teams were able to confirm that intruders had used very sophisticated and aggressive techniques to obtain unauthorized access, hide their presence from system administrators and escalate privileges inside the servers. Among other things, the intruders deleted log files in order to hide the extent of their work and activity within the network."
It wasn't until two days later, April 21, that Sony officially confirmed the hack and shut down the services.
In the letter, Sony also said it was working with the Federal Bureau of Investigators to track the culprits. However even if "Anonymous," a coalition of hackers assumed to be behind the takedown, were involved, a disaffected former 'nonymous member recently told the press that he doubted such a secret would ever be leaked.
The letter also re-affirms that Sony is appointing its first Chief Information Security Officer for Sony Network Entertainment International, as announced in early May, who will report to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of parent company Sony Corp.
For more background on the outage, see "Sony's PlayStation Network Outage: What You Need to Know." Also check out ways PSN users can hedge against financial losses incurred by the theft of credit card information: "Sony Accounts Hacked? Here's What You Should Do."

from: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385339,00.asp

Rico · May 16, 2011, 08:45:36 AM

Looks like they are working on getting the PS Network back up now. Anyone tried yet??

Sony began a gradual restoration of its PlayStation services Sunday as the company works to resume normal operations following a security breach that exposed personal details of 77 million users.
"I'd like to send my sincere regret for the inconvenience this incident has caused you, and want to thank you all for the kind patience you've shown as we worked through the restoration process," said Kazuo Hirai, the executive deputy president of Sony Corp.
"I can't thank you enough for your patience and support during this time."
PlayStation users eager to resume games
Sunday's restoration of the PlayStation Network appeared to end an outage that lasted four weeks, angered users and stained Sony's reputation among gamers.
However, the network's return was not without glitches. In an update Sunday, Sony said it had to turn off services again for about half an hour as it struggled to accommodate users.
"We're currently experiencing an extremely heavy load of password resets, and so we recently had to turn off services for approximately 30 minutes to clear the queue," wrote Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold in a blog post.
Twitter was abuzz Monday with PlayStation users excited to be back online, although others complained they were still waiting for Sony to send them their new passwords.
Sony announced this month that gamers will receive compensation for not being able to log on.

Full story here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/gaming.gadgets/05/15/sony.playstation.services/index.html?iref=NS1

Rico · May 16, 2011, 04:16:15 PM

I have to say, Sony seems to be doing pretty right by it's customers. Besides free game time for 45 days for any SOE/MMO type game you ever have played or owned, they are also handing this stuff out to Sony/Playstation owners down below. I just changed my PS Network password and also my SOE password. I'm updating my PS3 right now. Hopefully, they are the most secure network around right now. :)

Goodies:

All PlayStation Network customers can select two PS3 games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.
Dead Nation
inFAMOUS
LittleBigPlanet
Super Stardust HD
Wipeout HD + Fury
For PSP owners, you will be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.
LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
ModNation Racers
Pursuit Force
Killzone Liberation
A selection of "On Us" rental movie titles will be available to PlayStation Network customers over one weekend, where Video Service is available. Those titles will be announced soon.
30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an additional 60 days of free subscription.
Existing Music Unlimited Premium Trial subscription members will receive an additional 30 days of free premium subscription.
Additional 30 days + time lost for existing members of Music Unlimited Premium/Basic subscription free of charge for existing Premium/Basic members.
To welcome users Home, PlayStation Home will be offering 100 free virtual items. Additional free content will be released soon, including the next addition to the Home Mansion personal space, and Ooblag's Alien Casino, an exclusive game.

Jobydrone · May 17, 2011, 07:07:45 AM

Some really good, although a bit old, games on those lists. Sony needs the good PR, that's for sure. With the big E3 conference right around the corner, they don't want everything they announce or talk about to be thought of in conjunction with their servers being hacked.

If you haven't played Infamous, Rico, you need to download that one...it is awesome. You play as a bike messenger that gets super electrical powers during an apocalyptic event in a big city. The control you have over your character is the best thing about the game for me, zipping around the city on power lines, climbing buildings, jumping, flying, shooting electrical arcs from your fingertips...it all flows perfectly and feels so natural and easy with the controller. The story is presented with a cool, comic book style too with great art if not the most original plotline. Great game, and the price is right!

Rico · May 17, 2011, 07:09:33 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Joby. Was thinking of maybe Little Big Planet too.

KingIsaacLinksr · May 18, 2011, 10:24:18 AM

http://kotaku.com/5803070/sony-playstation-network-password-reset-page-exploited-customer-accounts-potentially-compromised

Joel Johnson — According to reports on Nyleveia.com, Eurogamer, and NeoGAF, Sony's PlayStation Network password reset system-the one just put in place after the PSN hack-has been compromised, allowing hackers to change a PSN password if they know your email and date of birth. Exactly the sort of information that was released in the original hack.

Sony has taken the password reset system offline. Kotaku has reached out to Sony for comment.

Update 1: The good news (as pointed out by NeoGAF's "Metalmurphy") is that if your account was compromised, you should have gotten an email from PSN that says your password has been reset.

Update 2: An official community moderator on the EU PlayStation forums notes the following services are offline:

PlayStation.com
PlayStation forums
PlayStation Blog
Qriocity.com
Music Unlimited via the web client
All PlayStation game title websites

Update 3: This is the purported exploit as provided to Kotaku. As PlayStation services are now offline, this exploit is no longer able to be executed:

So Sony needs to be taught again and again about Security apparently. This is pretty much shattering Sony's reputation. Getting hacked twice this quickly...

King