The Sony wars begin

[Saniflush]

CNET is reporting that a group of hackers spotted by an observer on IRC told them that a third major attack is scheduled to take down Sony's website this weekend. Even more devious are the hacker's plans to release personal customer information stolen from the PlayStation Network attacks.

In a congressional hearing, Sony's Kaz Hirai pointed the fingers at Anonymous, a decentralized hacking group that originally took PSN down briefly and brought Sony's websites to their knees. Anonymous has of course denied it was involved with the recent PSN outage, issuing a press release stating it's being framed.

Sony's enlisted the help of the FBI and three private security specialist firms to investigate and track down who was behind the PSN breach, but so far nothing has been unveiled yet. PlayStation fans are already extremely angry by the two-week and counting downtime and a third attack would only delay PSN's restoration even longer.

It's a lousy time to be Sony and a PlayStation gamer who plays online. Even though a hack against Microsoft and Nintendo is entirely possible as well (it can happen to anyone), it must feel good for both of them to see Sony struggling just as sales of it's PS3 were beginning to catch up to the Xbox 360.

[AWK]

CNET is reporting that a group of hackers spotted by an observer on IRC told them that a third major attack is scheduled to take down Sony's website this weekend. Even more devious are the hacker's plans to release personal customer information stolen from the PlayStation Network attacks.

In a congressional hearing, Sony's Kaz Hirai pointed the fingers at Anonymous, a decentralized hacking group that originally took PSN down briefly and brought Sony's websites to their knees. Anonymous has of course denied it was involved with the recent PSN outage, issuing a press release stating it's being framed.

Sony's enlisted the help of the FBI and three private security specialist firms to investigate and track down who was behind the PSN breach, but so far nothing has been unveiled yet. PlayStation fans are already extremely angry by the two-week and counting downtime and a third attack would only delay PSN's restoration even longer.

It's a lousy time to be Sony and a PlayStation gamer who plays online. Even though a hack against Microsoft and Nintendo is entirely possible as well (it can happen to anyone), it must feel good for both of them to see Sony struggling just as sales of it's PS3 were beginning to catch up to the Xbox 360.

It's Bill Gates.

[Saniflush]

LOL just found out that all this started because Sony was using outdated software on their billing servers, which they had been warned about and knew was a vulnerability. That now qualifies as gross negligence and will carry some hefty penalties when the results are tallied.

[Kaos]

LOL just found out that all this started because Sony was using outdated software on their billing servers, which they had been warned about and knew was a vulnerability. That now qualifies as gross negligence and will carry some hefty penalties when the results are tallied.

Will I get some of that?

[Saniflush]

Will I get some of that?

I think they already emailed you the information.

[Kaos]

I think they already emailed you the information.

Some Japanese guys bowed at me.  That helps how?

[Saniflush]

Some Japanese guys bowed at me.  That helps how?

They bowed because caucasians are just too damn tall.

[Kaos]

The financial apology rumblings start. 

Sony is reported to announce that all members of the PS Network will get a million dollar identity theft insurance policy.   

Please somebody steal my identity.  I will split the proceeds with you.  I get 700K, you get 300K.  No, seriously don't.  I have enough trouble with my own identity, don't need an imposter buying Impalas on my dime.

Sony also said to be putting together a welcome back package for members when the system comes back online.....  May 31 or later. 

[Saniflush]

Yea saw that news blurb.

Also saw part of the welcome back package.

[Vandy Vol]

Looks like the Playstation Network is up and running, almost one month after it shut down:

Gamers: Power on.

That's right. After an embarrassing breach that compromised millions of users' personal information, Sony has switched back on the PlayStation Network in the U.S. It also is resuming its Qriocity service, which offers access to streaming video and music on a variety of Sony devices.

A map posted by Sony shows the status of PlayStation Network across the country, and recently all states were illuminated green for go.

There still may be some kinks, so Sony is asking gamers to be patient if their service is not fully restored right away. That's because it can take the network's servers a little while to populate.

For most people, getting back online should be a snap.

As soon as you connect to the network, you will be prompted to download a software update for your PlayStation. The update carries version number 3.61. You will be asked to change your password as a precaution. Then you should be ready to go.

Sony isn't taking any chances after users' personal passwords, emails and credit card information were compromised. It is providing affected U.S. users with a year's worth of free identity theft services from security firm Debrix, including a $1 million insurance policy.

PlayStation Network players also get one month of free service, and several in-game bonuses and currency in a welcome back pack for several popular gaming titles (full list).

Full details on the "Welcome Back You Stupid Mother Fuckers" package can be found here.

[Saniflush]

While Sony's "Welcome Back" package smoothed over most people's concerns following the PlayStation network attacks in April and May, not everyone is won over. Some are taking Sony to court. And when I say some, I mean many.

The PS3 manufacturer is currently battling a total of 55 class action lawsuits as a result of the PSN security breach, which exposed the personal details of tens of millions of customers.

While many of those are simply from disgruntled individual owners (or groups of owners), there is an additional suit from a major insurance company, Zurich American, which is telling courts it shouldn't have to pay Sony to help it cover the costs of said suits.

It reckons Sony's insurance with the company only covers it against physical damage and injury to its employees, not the kind of cyberattack which was responsible fro the PlayStation Network being brought down for weeks.

This could be a big deal for Sony, which says the total cost of the attacks could run to almost $200 million.

[GH2001]

But they have teh bluez ray.

[Saniflush]

Welcome to the game Sony



Sony, along with several other big companies, has recently tried to institute a "no sue" clause in the terms of service agreements for its consoles.

To oppose this, some people are, yes, trying to sue them over their "no sue" agreements.

According to a report on GameSpot, a man in Northern California is leading a suit, filed in November, which alleges "Sony engaged in unfair business practices by forcing consumers to either give up their right to file a class-action lawsuit or give up access to the online gaming network they effectively paid for when they purchased the hardware."

While this sounds a little crazy, remember, the legality of these "no sue" agreements is highly questionable, given they seemingly strip away many Americans legal rights, so he may just have a case.