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Network that connected PlayStation 3 (PS3) consoles to online games, films and more.
PlayStation Network and Qriocity streaming music service were turned off April 20 in the wake of an “external intrusion”, according to Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold.
While the cyber attack was still being investigated, Sony said it believed that PlayStation Network and Qriocity service users’ names, addresses, birthdates, passwords and email addresses were swiped.
“While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility,” Sony said in an email message being sent out to PlayStation Network and Qriocity users.
“It is also possible that your profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers may have been obtained.”
Sony shut off PlayStation Network and Qriocity to investigate the breach and bolster defences.
“We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week,” Seybold said on Tuesday.
Players were still able to take part in games offline on consoles, but lost the ability to challenge others on the Internet, stream movies or get other services.
PlayStation Network launched in November of 2006 and boasts about 75 million registered users worldwide.
Sony did not indicate whether it identified a culprit in the intrusion.
Internet vigilante group Anonymous had vowed retribution against Sony for taking legal action against hackers who cracked PS3 defences to change console operating software.
Anonymous argued that PS3 console owners have the right to do what they wish with them, including modifying them.
Wedbush Morgan videogame industry analyst Michael Pachter suspected that Sony was hacked by a gamer more interested in showing off than ripping off PlayStation Network users.
“My guess is the person who hacked the network did it because they could,” Pachter said.
“Sony is a target because gamers tend to be more software sophisticated,” he continued.
“If you are a real cyber criminal trying to profit, you go where the money is, not PlayStation Network where the average user is a teenager.”
If Sony gets the Network back up promptly with hardened defences, users are likely to forgive, according to the analyst.
Sony was expected also to atone with free downloadable content and services. – AFP.