Sony's suite of online networks has been hacked again, with the catastrophic PSN hack earlier this year is still fresh in gamers' minds. Digital deviants managed to compromise 93,000 accounts across the PlayStation Network, Sony Entertainment Network and Sony Online Entertainment.
Sony acknowledged the breach in a statement, explaining the attack involved intruders "testing a massive set of sign-in IDs and passwords against our network database".
Sony reckons that huge list of sign-in details comprises user lists from other companies who have also been hacked. So the mean old hackers were trying to match details from those lists against Sony's own database.
Sony says attempts to verify customers' usernames and passwords were successful in the case of approximately 60,000 PSN and SEN accounts and 33,000 SOE accounts.
The tech giant says that in cases where hackers were able to match login information, it's shut down those accounts, and a "small fraction of these 93,000 showed additional activity prior to being locked".
If your PSN or SEN account was compromised, Sony says it has sent you an email asking you to securely reset your password. SOE accounts have been temporarily turned off, with users sent email instructions on how to go about getting your service restored.
Unlike the massive hack earlier this year that saw millions of users' information nicked, this breach hasn't seen the PlayStation Network itself shut down. The news of this latest hack will be a fresh hit to gamers' confidence in Sony, however.
At least Sony won't have to worry about users suing -- recent changes to its terms and conditions make it impossible for gamers to file class action lawsuits against the company.
Are you affected? Are you upset with Sony, or should people expect these kinds of security breaches? Let us know in the comments section below, or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 14
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anonymous 12 October, 2011 11:35
I'm done with Sony, love my PS3 but next-gen, I'm going Nintendo.
falo 12 October, 2011 13:09
So you don't want to play games then? What's with the Sony bash exactly? Unless I've missed something, this is Sony catching an event of people using stolen info from elsewhere to breach cases where users haven't set up different username/password combinations on multiple services. Good on 'em.
anonymous 12 October, 2011 13:56
Thats it im trading my playstation in for an x box
anonymous 12 October, 2011 14:52
erm.. it seems that their new security system is working pretty well...
anonymous 12 October, 2011 17:36
Nice sensationalist headline Cnet. Shame that no "hacking" has actually taken place...
anonymous 12 October, 2011 19:35
Yay! Now we get free games again
anonymous 12 October, 2011 19:51
Personally I think it's time that the governments get involved and start regulating the types and amount of information that companies like Sony can request or require. Sony has Playstation Network cards which are available for purchase via cash and which can be used in replacement of a credit card number. No one at any time should ever give Sony any credit or financial information.
Sony is not a bank or financial institution. They are not a credit line service. They are strictly a pay as you go service, however they like to have your credit card information so that they can market you knowing your credit limits. Sony has proven repeatedly that they cannot secure their network or the information on it. At no time should Sony ever be trusted.
The financial news this morning stated that Sony's stock is down 50% since this hacking started. And it should be. They are hurting the financial community (users) with their lack of security and it's time that they and other services like them that want to keep "financial and personal information" are regulated. It's time for the government to step up and clean up Sony's mess and restrict them from compounding it.
Do not use credit cards with Sony. Buy yourself a PSN card and apply it to your "Mr. Smith on Main Street USA" account. You will still have fun but will not be risking any interruption to your finances or fraud through Sony's insecure failed services.
Sony is a failed company still trying to ride out on a failed service. Fix it our lose it. Sony's investors are speaking volumes to them through the diminished trading and interest in their stock. All users should take their lead from the investors. Don't trust or invest in Sony, they have proven repeatedly that they do not deserve your consideration.
anonymous 12 October, 2011 21:18
CNET your confusing the silly ppl with extremist headlines.
Breaking News: I just hacked my gmail account by typing in my username and password! Which is essentially what these 'hackers' did.
anonymous 13 October, 2011 03:56
*sigh*
Dear CNET,
Please do not use words you do not understand.
"Sony acknowledged the breach in a statement, explaining the attack involved intruders "testing a massive set of sign-in IDs and passwords against our network database".
Sony reckons that huge list of sign-in details comprises user lists from other companies who have also been hacked. So the mean old hackers were trying to match details from those lists against Sony's own database."
This part right here, this means that the user names and passwords were obtained from outside Sony, for example a video game forum completely unrelated to Sony but that most likely had Sony related discussions.
93 000 people were stupid enough to use the same user name/password combination for EVERYTHING.
This happens all over the place because many message boards are very unsecured due to their operators/creators not knowing what they are doing.
If you leave your keys on a table with you address stamped on the side and then someone steals everything in your house, they didn't... "break into your house."
Please learn the meaning of what hacking is before posting ridiculous headlines like this.
Naryan 13 October, 2011 06:45
HEY CNET! Do you understand the meaning of the words you use? Are you stupid?
Perhaps you just get paid by the hits so you throw up any old Sun-esque headline that you think will stick?
I know you're not going to stop posting these sensationalist lies cause that's just how you roll, but could you at least be ashamed that people come here for news?
Thanks,
N
anonymous 13 October, 2011 12:35
I highly suggest you print a new article retracting this outlandish statement, as it is entirely FALSE.
Sony was not hacked. SONY. WAS. NOT. HACKED.
Have some journalistic integrity.
anonymous 13 October, 2011 21:33
I love my playstation and all the stuff I get for free from Sony.
iPlayer (you can't get on xbox because m$ want it only available to subscribers, but BBC said you've already paid to watch with your tv licence).
4od
ITV
Lovefilm
Skyplayer
A free Gaming network with voice communication.
Which is why, CNET, I respond to your question saying they deserve it for leaving the door open.
They brought a lot of negativity focus to them from the public by damning out consumer rights, taking away the OtherOS feature which many of us used.
Having such a lack of security on our private data is almost unforgivable in modern society where free open methods of - at least - encrypting data is readily available.
Oh well live and learn... Except this is the second time it's happening.
Not happy.
anonymous 13 October, 2011 23:26
Can someone explain to me why Sony got such unbelievable critisism for being hacked when all the other companies and institutions who also got hacked are not mentioned? The CIA, governments, the NHS to name a few. It seems to me people are forgetting that the hackers are the bad guys here, and if they put enough effort and resources into hacking into any company then they'll succeed.
These hackers are ruining a company that has brought us so much entertainment over the years and will surely continue to do so if we just stop the hackers from bringing the company to their knees. If Sony werent there they'd hack Microsoft, if they weren't there they'd hack Nintendo. I want to see Playstation 4 and continue to have a free online gaming service. Why do people seem to want to end all that?
And yes CNET is wrong they weren't hacked this time. Its an attempt to make an exciting headline. Pretty weak journalism guys.
anonymous 18 October, 2011 09:53
Lol at the fanboys mentioning MS and spelling the S with a $ as though it is going to give it some extra clout even though this article has completely NOTHING to do with MS or the 360.
Desperation calls for desperate measures as the er $ony fanboys are showing here.