Sony Shuts Down PlayStation Network 'Indefinitely'

Abarbarian

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What's the difference between a deep bow and a shallow bow I wonder?

Wonder no more :cool:

Those of us who have visited Japan, worked or lived there, know that Japanese people bow all day long. I personally have great respect and admiration for Japanese culture, having learned about cultural subtleties when I stayed in Tokyo on a prolonged business trip. The bow - ojigi in Japanese – is a traditional way of greeting and showing respect. There are also rules to follow when one is greeted with a bow.
First of all, observe carefully and bow back at the same depth and angle as you have been bowed to.The angle in a casual bow is about 15 degrees from the vertical position, and your hands are not touching the other person. If you are a man, your hands are “glued” to the sides of your body; if you are a woman, your fingertips are slightly touching in front of your body. Your feet are in a V-shape position – touching at the heels and pointing outward. Lower your chin and eyes as you make a bow, especially if you are bowing to an elder or very important person.The depth of the bow shows respect and indicates the status of the two people.

http://www.etiquetteoutreach.com/blog_new-york-etiquette-guide/?Tag=leadership skills
 

Abarbarian

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Looks like Sony were hacked earlier than they thought. :eek:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13256817

However, it added that "on 1 May we concluded that SOE account information may have been stolen".
Sony was quoted by the Associated Press (AP) news agency as saying that the latest incident occurred on 16 and 17 April.
This was earlier than the larger Playstation user security breach.
Sony said that during the most recently discovered security breach, names, home addresses, e-mail addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and gender information was taken.
Additionally, direct debit details of around 10,700 customers in Austria, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany were stolen, as were the credit or debit card details of some 12,700 non-US customers.
Broader investigation Sony explained that the information included card numbers and expiry dates, but said that it was taken from a 2007 database which was securely encrypted.
 

V_R

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Sony: “Passwords Were Not Stored In Cleartext Form”

One other point to clarify is from this weekend’s press conference. While the passwords that were stored were not “encrypted,” they were transformed using a cryptographic hash function. There is a difference between these two types of security measures which is why we said the passwords had not been encrypted. But I want to be very clear that the passwords were not stored in our database in cleartext form

http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/05/03/sony-passwords-were-not-stored-in-cleartext-form/
 

Ian

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Thanks V_R, that's some good news about the passwords at least!
 

V_R

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Important Step for Service Restoration


Today our global network and security teams at Sony Network Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment began the final stages of internal testing of the new system, an important step towards restoring PlayStation Network and Qriocity services.
As previously mentioned, we’ve been working around the clock to rebuild the network and enhance protections of your personal data. It’s our top priority to ensure your data is safe when you begin using the services again.
We understand that many of you are eager to again enjoy the PlayStation Network and Qriocity entertainment services that you love, so we wanted you to be aware of this milestone and our progress. We will provide additional updates as soon as we can.

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/05/06/important-step-for-service-restoration/
 

Abarbarian

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http://www.businessinsider.com/revenge-of-the-nerds-2011-5

I am not saying what George did was right (although I am very sympathetic to hackers opening devices like the iPhone, the Kinnect, the PlayStation, etc so that developers can build on them). I am not saying that Sony's lawyers weren't in the right when they sued George. This is not a post about what is right and wrong, legally or morally.

If it was hackers rather than criminals that have caused the disruption at Sony then the above is a very interesting slant on the affair. :cool:
 

V_R

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Old news and purely speculation.

;)
 

V_R

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Service Restoration Update


As you may know, we’ve begun the process of restoring the service through internal testing of the new system. We’re still working to confirm the security of the network infrastructure, as well as working with a variety of outside entities to confirm with them of the security of the system. Verifying the system security is vital for the process of restoration. Additional comprehensive system checks and testing are still required, and we must complete that process before bringing the systems online.
As you’ve heard us say, our utmost priorities are the security of the network and ensuring your data is safe. We won’t restore the services until we can test the system’s strength in these respects.
When we held the press conference in Japan last week, based on what we knew, we expected to have the services online within a week. We were unaware of the extent of the attack on Sony Online Entertainment servers, and we are taking this opportunity to conduct further testing of the incredibly complex system. We know many of you are wanting to play games online, chat with your friends and enjoy all of the services PlayStation Network and Qriocity services have to offer, and trust me when I say we’re doing everything we can to make it happen. We will update you with more information as soon as we have it. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience of this network outage

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/05/07/service-restoration-update/
 

Reefsmoka

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bout time they got it done now, i used to play zombies on call of duty online quite often with work mates, nights havent been the same :p
 

V_R

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I honestly think it will be another week, at least...
 

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PSN Now Back Up - Password change is Mandatory



Sony Computer Entertainment introduces increased security measures ahead of PSN service restoration.


Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) will today begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. The phased restoration will be on a country by country basis beginning in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

The first phase of restored services for North America and Europe will include:

Sign-in for PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, including the resetting of passwords.
Restoration of online gameplay across PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Playback rental video content, if within rental period, of PlayStation Store Video Store on PS3, PSP and Media Go.
Q Music Unlimited, for current subscribers, on PS3 and PC.
Access to third party services such as VidZone and MUBI.
'Friends' category on PS3, including Friends List, Chat Functionality, Trophy Comparison, etc.
PlayStation Home.

Increased Security Measures

As the result of a criminal cyber attack on the company's data centre located in San Diego, California, USA, SNEI shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services on 20 April 2011, in order for the company to undergo an investigation and make enhancements to the overall security of the network infrastructure.

Working closely with several respected outside security firms, the company has implemented new and additional security measures that strengthen safeguards against unauthorized activity, and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information.

The company has made considerable enhancements to the data security, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring and penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls.

The company also added a variety of other measures to the network infrastructure including an early warning system for unusual activity patterns that could signal an attempt to compromise the network.

"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, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation.

"I can't thank you enough for your patience and support during this time. We know even the most loyal customers have been frustrated by this process and are anxious to use their Sony products and services again. We are taking aggressive action at all levels to address the concerns that were raised by this incident, and are making consumer data protection a full time, company-wide commitment."

"During the past 18 months, we've seen a dramatic rise in the volume of cyber attacks, their sophistication and their impact on businesses. Thwarting cyber-crime requires an evolutionary approach to security that is well integrated, reduces risk exposure and improves efficiencies," said Francis deSouza, senior vice president, Enterprise Security Group, Symantec. "Today's cyber crime attacks are proving to be more covert, more targeted and better organized than those we've seen in years past. In working with Sony on the move of their data centre, it's clear they're implementing measures to reduce security risks moving forward."

As an additional measure, Fumiaki Sakai, president of Sony Global Solutions Inc. (SGS), has been appointed acting Chief Information Security Officer of SNEI. In addition to his current role at SGS, Mr Sakai, in his role at SNEI, will work to further reinforce overall information security across the company's network infrastructure.

Mr Sakai will lead the recruiting effort in finding a new and permanent CISO for SNEI. As CISO, Mr. Sakai will report to Tim Schaaff, president, SNEI, as well as to Mr Shinji Hasejima, CIO, Sony Corporation.

"While we understand the importance of getting our services back online, we did not rush to do so at the expense of extensively and aggressively testing our enhanced security measures. Our consumers' safety remains our number one priority," Hirai continued. "We want to assure our customers that their personal information is being protected with some of the best security technologies available today, so that everyone can feel comfortable enjoying all that PlayStation Network and Qriocity services have to offer."

The restoration of the services across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East are beginning, and consumers will be able to enjoy some of the online functionality provided by both the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. The company expects to have the services fully restored by the end of May 2011.

The company will be offering customers a "Welcome Back" package of services and premium content to all registered PlayStation Network and Qriocity account services.

The details of this program will be available at eu.playstation.com shortly.

Before you start using PlayStation Network again...

In restoring PSN, we have introduced a safety measure which means you will need to update your PlayStation Network account password before you can start using PSN again.

If you've got a PlayStation 3, you can do this by updating to system software version 3.61 and then signing in to PlayStation Network from the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) Menu once the service is restored in your country. Find out more at eu.playstation.com/ps3/support/system-software.

Otherwise, you can change your password by visiting https://store.playstation.com/login.gvm on your PC. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes and if you'd like more help you can follow the step by step guide at eu.playstation.com/psppsn.

Please contact us at uk.playstation.com/psnoutage should you have any additional questions. For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog at blog.eu.playstation.com, twitter.com/PlayStationEU and eu.playstation.com for the latest updates.

http://uk.playstation.com/home/news...69506/PlayStation-Network-Restoration-Begins/
 

Ian

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Thanks for the heads up! It's about time they've got this online... Although I do wonder if this has now become a challenge for hackers, and Sony may suffer a similar fate again?
 

V_R

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Details Of The Welcome Back Programme For SCEE Users


http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/05/16/details-of-the-welcome-back-programme-for-scee-users-2/

Now that certain PSN services have been restored and you’re once again enjoying online gaming, it seems a good time to confirm what is being offered as part of the Welcome Back programme.

Once we restore PlayStation Store, which will be just a little while longer, you will have the opportunity to claim your Welcome Back gifts. Please note that the Welcome Back programme is only available for those countries with access to PlayStation Store*.
All existing PlayStation Network members will be able to access the following from PlayStation Store*:

Two PS3 games from the following list:
LittleBigPlanet
Infamous*
Wipeout HD/Fury
Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty
Dead Nation*


For those with PSP accounts, you will also be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list:

LittleBigPlanet PSP
ModNation PSP
Pursuit Force
Killzone Liberation*

- 30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PS Plus subscribers*
- Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given 60 days free subscription.
- For existing Music Unlimited subscribers, you will be given 30 days free subscription.
- We are working on a Welcome Back offer in PlayStation Home and will share that when it is confirmed.

I would like to thank all of the developers and publishers involved in this programme for their support in making this happen. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you.
You will be able to access this content once PlayStation Store comes back online and we are doing everything we can to make that happen as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and keep checking back on the blog for more information.
For eligibility for the welcome back programme consumers must be an account holder on 20 April 2011. Specific details about these offers and eligibility requirements will be posted as the services go live. All existing PSN registrants have 30 days from when the welcome back programme goes live to redeem their content.
For the German market, InFamous and Dead Nation will be replace with Super Stardust HD and Hustle Kings in the selection of PS3 games.

For the German market, Pursuit Force and Killzone Liberation will be replaced with Everybody’s Golf 2 and Buzz Junior Jungle Party in the selection of PSP games. Killzone Liberation will not offer online gameplay functionality.
Access to the 30 days free PS Plus subscription is only available for those countries where PS Plus is offered. You will have access to the PS Plus content planned for May for 30 days. Access to the free games and exclusive features finishes at the end of the 30-day subscription period. Anything you buy with exclusive discounts, dynamic themes and premium avatars are yours to keep forever.
 

V_R

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OMG SONY!!!!!!!!! :wall: :eek: :rolleyes:


http://kotaku.com/5803050/sony-play...ted-customer-accounts-potentially-compromised


Report: 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:

The prodecure is as follows:
1) Navigate to : https://store.playstation.com/accounts/reset/resetPassword.action?token (this is normally, via email, https://store.playstation.com/accounts/reset/resetPassword.action?token=YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY with the y's being a unique token) - do not enter the code at this point.
2) Open a new tab in firefox, and go to fr.playstation.com (other pages will work too most likely), and click Login (Connexion)
3) Click Recover password
4) Enter the email and date of birth of the target account
5) Click continue, then on the confirmation page, click "Reset using E-mail"
6) Switch back to the original tab, and enter the code, then click continue
7) You will now be asked to enter a new password for the target account
 

Ian

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Oh dear... this is just getting worse... :(

It's a real shame as the PS3 is a great gaming system - but it looks like it's going to be plagued by problems and people looking for security holes.

BTW, which games are people going for from the welcome pack? I've got LBP and Infamous already, so may give Wipeout a go (not sure about the other game yet).
 

Abarbarian

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Sony has admitted that it can't guarantee the security of the PlayStation Network and has warned of a 'bad new world of cybercrime'.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming...mpaign=Feed:+bit-tech/all+(bit-tech.net+feed)

An to top it all,

Rockstar: New firmware causing PS3 overheating


Developer Rockstar has blamed Sony's new PlayStation 3 firmware for overheating issues and system crashes that are affecting the newly released LA Noire

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming...mpaign=Feed:+bit-tech/all+(bit-tech.net+feed)

:cool:

Thank goodness for the good old pc :D
 
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Oh dear... this is just getting worse... :(

It's a real shame as the PS3 is a great gaming system - but it looks like it's going to be plagued by problems and people looking for security holes.

BTW, which games are people going for from the welcome pack? I've got LBP and Infamous already, so may give Wipeout a go (not sure about the other game yet).


Hi Ian.....i bought(sadly) infamous a couple of weeks ago and am halfway or thereabouts through it. Its not a bad game but it narrows down our choice.
 

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