[UPDATE] Sony Online Entertainment Servers Taken Offline
A recent intrusion into the separate Sony online structure resulted in a system-wide shut down.
Published: May 2, 2011
To say the past few weeks have been rough for Sony and its user base would be an understatement. On April 17th, Sony Computer Entertainment originally noticed an intrusion of their online systems, including the PlayStation Network and Qriocity Music Service. The end result of which has left over 70 million PSN users without online interactivity, compromised personal information, and a lot of headaches for everyone involved. Also during this time there was a notable attempt on wholly separate services provided by Sony Online Entertainment, which hosts, amongst other things, Free Realms and DC Universe Online.
Today, a community page-based announcement was released by Sony Online Entertainment regarding, what at this time, appears to be regarding the original attack that happened several weeks ago. The message reads as follows:
"Dear valued SOE Customers,
We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily. In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately. We will provide an update later today (Monday)."
Given the phrasing, we do not believe that another attack has been made, but this is purely speculatory on our part. Once SOE responds, we will be sure to update this article.
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Update
Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed that the earlier attack on their servers (which, again, are different from the PSN servers) were compromised. The following information was taken:
-Names
-Addresses (city, zip code, state, country, etc)
-Email address
-Gender
-Birthdate
-Phone number
-Login
-Hashed password
The hashed out password is a distinct remark from the press release, giving some relief for SOE members. However, their news continues to get worse than the PSN attacks, at least for users outside of the US. The latest press release states the following:
"Customers outside the United States should be advised that we further discovered evidence that information from an outdated database from 2007 containing approximately 12,700 non-US customer credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes) and about 10,700 direct debit records listing bank account numbers of certain customers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Spain may have also been obtained. We will be notifying each of those customers promptly."
Yes, that is a lot of information that is compromised. However, keep in mind that the database is from 2007, and many of those numbers are expired. Servers will be out of service until they fix the security issues. We will continue to update you as this story unfolds.
Today, a community page-based announcement was released by Sony Online Entertainment regarding, what at this time, appears to be regarding the original attack that happened several weeks ago. The message reads as follows:
"Dear valued SOE Customers,
We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily. In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately. We will provide an update later today (Monday)."
Given the phrasing, we do not believe that another attack has been made, but this is purely speculatory on our part. Once SOE responds, we will be sure to update this article.
--
Update
Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed that the earlier attack on their servers (which, again, are different from the PSN servers) were compromised. The following information was taken:
-Names
-Addresses (city, zip code, state, country, etc)
-Email address
-Gender
-Birthdate
-Phone number
-Login
-Hashed password
The hashed out password is a distinct remark from the press release, giving some relief for SOE members. However, their news continues to get worse than the PSN attacks, at least for users outside of the US. The latest press release states the following:
"Customers outside the United States should be advised that we further discovered evidence that information from an outdated database from 2007 containing approximately 12,700 non-US customer credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes) and about 10,700 direct debit records listing bank account numbers of certain customers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Spain may have also been obtained. We will be notifying each of those customers promptly."
Yes, that is a lot of information that is compromised. However, keep in mind that the database is from 2007, and many of those numbers are expired. Servers will be out of service until they fix the security issues. We will continue to update you as this story unfolds.
