Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
Summary
Sony has locked down 93,000 accounts after it detected a massive attempt to test combinations of sign-in IDs and passwords.
Topics
Sony has locked down tens of thousands of accounts for its PlayStation Network (PSN), Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and the Sony Entertainment Network (SEN), after it detected a massive attempt to test combinations of sign-in IDs and passwords.
The company said on Wednesday that the tests of various user ID and password combinations had mostly failed, meaning "it is likely the data came from another source", rather than from Sony's networks. However, around 93,000 attempts succeeded, and Sony has now "temporarily locked these accounts".
"Only a small fraction of these 93,000 accounts showed additional activity prior to being locked. We are currently reviewing those accounts for unauthorized access, and will provide more updates as we have them," Sony chief information security officer Philip Reitinger wrote in a blog post. "Please note, if you have a credit card associated with your account, your credit card number is not at risk."
For more on this story, read Sony freezes 93,000 accounts over compromised details on ZDNet UK.
Talkback Most Recent of 19 Talkback(s)
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RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
Now we wait for the people who don't read very well to start bashing Sony.
Aerowind12th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@Aerowind
Are you saying that Sony isn't to blame? Why are they allowing bruteforce login attempts in the first place? Any sensible large sized online-service will take measures to prevent it. For example, using a captcha to prevent automated login attempts, blocking an IP address for a certain time after a certain number of incorrect tries, and after a lot of incorrect tries - temporarily disabling the account (and sending re-activation instructions via email).. there are plenty of ways to prevent such attacks. One would think after repeated attacks Sony would take adequate steps to secure there network...
[deXter]12th Oct -
Give them a call....
@[deXter] I'm pretty sure they leave the door open for everyone on trust. Sounds like you can teach them a thing or two. Thankfully it's just oline accounts..... but how many folk out there use the same passwords for everything? You can't blame Sony for our laziness or stupidity! We want easy access to some sites, like Sony, but that has a risk.
Lets face reality here... ALL our accounts, in every organisation are under threat no matter what folk do. The internet will probably need to change and we'll all have our little secure tokens; 1 per secure site we use; and we'll all be pi$$ed off with the security measures as a result of some concerted individuals to steal from us.
GetReal-mac.com13th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
Someone must really hate Sony.
statuskwo512th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@statuskwo5 That line forms around the block.
technojoe12th Oct -
RE: Someone must really hate Sony.
@statuskwo5
I would not doubt it is someone who still is p---ed off over Sony's tactics.
I am still smarting from the rootkit I got from an infected Sony-BMG CD I bought back in 2005.
fatman6553612th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@statuskwo5 The question really is, who actually likes Sony? Almost everyone that I know merely puts up with them. I, for one, used to be quite the Sony fan. But when they started gutting the PS3 (taking away PS2 compatibility in hardware, then in software, then removing "Other OS", etc.) while putting up arrogant commercials claiming that "it only does everything" it felt like a slap in the face. When my original PS2 compatible in hardware 60GB PS3 dies, that's it, I'm done. I really only use it to play PS2 JRPGs (which are great) anyway because most PS3 games suck and there are very very few decent RPGs (JRPG or otherwise) made for the PS3. So in short, I loved the PS1, still have it, supported it well, have a large library, too. PS2 is still my favorite console of all time. Best balance of great gameplay and decent graphics. PS3 was nice because of the "all in one" capability in the beginning. It also upscaled PS1 and PS2 games, allowing BOTh to play through HDMI (something a real PS1 and PS2 can't even do, matter of fact, PS1 games, even ON a real PS2, will not play through component, you must switch cables back to composite but the PS3 is great because it WOULD play anything (until Sony gutted it, that is). I've lost all respect for Sony. Some have quite a bit of money invested in their library and Sony's greed and lies are just too much. I will NOT be getting a "PS4" if they survive long enough to release it UNLESS it is fully backward compatible again.
thombone12th Oct -
How many folk ran an alt OS?
@thombone Be serious... We all could and I downloaded mine but couldn't be bothered loading it. My PS3 does what I want and we're happy with it. Also got a wii and might get an xbox kinnect for the extension. If you dont like Sony thats fair enough but of no interest to me.
Our old PS2 sounds like a hair dryer these days, and I certainly wouldn't be having it in the living room. PS4 backward compatibility would be great but will likely depend if they can make a profit on the box. What price would you pay for full Blu-Ray, SACD, PS1-3 games support given that it's well known they lose on every PS3 hardware? If thats ??500 would you buy?GetReal-mac.com13th Oct -
Apple & China
I believe these attack are efforts from Apple in tandem with Chinese hackers to topple one company after another..
br.avinash12th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@br.avinash If that were the case, why are they targeting the PSN, something that Apple has no competitor to?
I can understand hating Apple, but at least hate them for what they do. Quit trying to blame them for things that aren't connected at all.Aerowind12th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@Aerowind I believe he is being sarcastic, but then again I would be scared if he wasn't.statuskwo512th Oct -
Next Gen Gaming
@Aerowind
Apple has already said they see the iPad as the next gen starting point for gaming...... - hooked via Apple TV we see the next gen gaming platform.
Has much faster develpment cycle than a PS3, Wii or XBox...
rhonin12th Oct -
RE: Sony targeted again by massive hack attack
@Aerowind
"Apple has already said they see the iPad as the next gen starting point for gaming...... - hooked via Apple TV we see the next gen gaming platform.
Has much faster develpment cycle than a PS3, Wii or XBox..."
And the worst controller scheme in the world. Leave the real gaming to the big boys.
Qbt12th Oct -
SONY BRAINNNSSS
MUST HAVE SONY BRAINSSSSS
ZombieSteveJobs12th Oct -
Do you know anyone who might have reason to dislike you or cause you harm?
Microsoft, Nintendo, any of the dozens of on-line PC gaming companies, disgruntled former customers, disgruntled customers, gruntled Linux users, Yakuza, Mafia, FBI, NSA, Korea (North or South), China, Islamic fanatics, Christian fanatics, Hugo Chavez, Southern Poverty Law Center ....
Dr_Zinj12th Oct
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