Millions of gamers and PS3 owners have been without PSN service for over a week now. As of today May 1st they held a press conference that started at 1 am EST and the topic of that conference was the much anticipate return of the PSN. Among the things detailed in this conference tonight was what the loyal PSN users would get in compensation for going with their online gaming.
So what is my compensation for PSN downtime? For starters all PSN members will get a free month of PSN+ (current PSN+ members will get an extra month of service for free) and they will also be giving out “selected PlayStation entertainment content” for free downloads. More details to come at a later point this month. Current Music Unlimited subscribers will also be getting a free month of service.
The PlayStation network should be making a partial return next week, with it being fully restored sometime by the end of the month. A firmware update will of course greet you when the network comes back online. And of course you can expect that Sony did a complete revamp of their security so your data should now be “safe”.
Some other points of interest are:
- They stated again that they don’t believe any CC numbers were taken but they said you should keep an eye on your credit card statements.
- They will be working with the FBI to conduct a full criminal investigation
- Out of 77 million users, about 10 million had active credit cards (ONLY 10 million?)
Still no explanation on what happen and no apologies for not securing your data properly. Do you think Sony is doing enough with what they have promised?
Full transcript/statement below:
VIA PS-Blog:
SOME PLAYSTATION®NETWORK AND QRIOCITY™ SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally;
System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal InformationTokyo, May 1, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on. The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.
Following a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s data-center located in San Diego, California, U.S.A., SNEI quickly turned off the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, engaged multiple expert information security firms over the course of several days and conducted an extensive audit of the system. Since then, the company has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. SNEI and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests to verify the security strength of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased rollout by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the rollout will include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems-This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
- Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
- Access to account management and password reset
- Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
- PlayStation®Home
- Friends List
- Chat Functionality
Working closely with several outside security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures to further detect unauthorized activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company is also creating the position of Chief Information Security Officer, directly reporting to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation, to add a new position of expertise in and accountability for customer data protection and supplement existing information security personnel. The new security measures implemented include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks
- Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption
- Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns
- Implementation of additional firewalls
The company also expedited an already planned move of the system to a new data center in a different location that has been under construction and development for several months. In addition, PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.
The company is conducting a thorough and on-going investigation and working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for the illegal intrusion.
“This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.”
Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program
While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.
Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:
- Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
- All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
- Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.
Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.
SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.
Thanks to Thelostdeathknight for original news post here.
05-01-2011
01:43 AM
psn+ for a month is no use to those who have no wish to carry it on as the "free" content will become unplayable when the month is up.
the lack of sorry is also insulting to all
05-01-2011
01:45 AM
Thanks Pirate, looks real nice. I just hope it is a decent read. I agree japsander, the lack of apology is insulting.
edit: I think i know why the original thread didn't get pushed to the front page, i was editing this line "users would get in compensation for going with their online gaming." to say without, while you were front paging it. sorry about that
edit 2: I gotta say I like the additions you did to my OP
05-01-2011
02:02 AM
with the free ps+ month you can keep the free dynamic themes and the dlc that are free for ps+... you can download sam and max devil play house 1-5 and steel can be play when the free ps+ end...u steell can play a free mag map...one of the minis... i know this couse my sub ends and i can play them...
05-01-2011
02:09 AM
05-01-2011
02:13 AM
What does a forced update mean? Does that mean if we even connect the ps3 to the internet that it automatically forces an update and agreement to the new bull**** we can spy on psn tos?
05-01-2011
02:15 AM
this still is wrong both morally and legally.
I hope the Feds see this as an insult too.
"we lost your CC/bank details but hey, have a cookie and forgive us (not that we accept any guilt)"
05-01-2011
02:17 AM
I don't think sony is so low they would update your ps3 without permission but you will have to agree to whatever new TOS they have and update to the new firmware to use the psn again
05-01-2011
02:19 AM
Phased out region? So only one region for everyone?
05-01-2011
02:25 AM
Too late Sony I have since sold my PS3 sick of Sony's antics and sheer retardedness.
05-01-2011
02:27 AM
Japsander, I couldn't agree with you more.
05-01-2011
02:36 AM
PSN+ is of no interest to me, and this giving us a month of PSN+ is trying to hook people to buy PSN+ after thee month is up... even when Sony tries to win back customers they try to profit from it...
after Sony removed OtherOS I began a strategy of buying as few products/services from Sony as possible, that why I bought an Xbox 360, this weekend I bought Portal 2 for the 360. Sony started a war, I'm cheering on the CFW makers, I am cheering on Graf_chokolo. as far as I'm concerned Sony can choke, go bankrupt etc... first they have that rootkit fiasco (something HD-DVD users kept bringing up saying that Blu-ray would have somethng like that I said Sony has probably learned from their mistake but then...) Sony for whatever reason removed OtherOS (Security supposedly but from the sounds of things the PS3/PSN was seriously lacking in security I have doubts OtherOS was the biggest security concern but whatever) When Hackers tried to undo Sony's idea of removing OtherOS, lawsuits happened, and now my personal information is floating out there, possible with my credit card information and Sony thinks 1 month free PSN+ is going to make it all better?
I spit at this offer, Sony should return OtherOS it was probably the only thing keeping the PS3/PSN secure as it kept the hackers happy. Sony has to try real damn hard to make me happy with them if they ever want me to buying their products or start recommending their products again.
05-01-2011
02:50 AM
i think Sony deserve it...
after all the troubles they did to normal users and the lawsuits
its good that Sony Feels Pain or even lost..
whoever hacked them i say Good Job.. u deserve it..
05-01-2011
03:37 AM
Well my ps3 wont be going online again until/if someone cracks the new firmware as mines on 3.55 Kmeaw
05-01-2011
04:18 AM
Are they serious?!?!
I wouldn't use PSN before all this blew up in their face, I wouldn't use it now if they paid me.
This will cost them nothing. They give you a months service which has no financial penalty to them. They will more than likely claim this as a cost to the business and write it off against their tax bills, etc.
They'll probably make a profit knowing Sony.
It's not my place to tell anyone what to do, but I advise taking them up on this, They'll claim that you've been adequately compensated, if indeed further down the line fraud does occur.
Never, ever, ever trust Sony, and if you must, first sell your soul to the devil so at least Sony can't get their grubby little hands on it.
05-01-2011
04:20 AM
Even if Sony gives us 1 month free PSN+ we can't use it as it will need a firmware update to use it. I am not ready to give up my Homebrew for 1 month of PSN+. I will enjoy Homebrew for as long as possible.
No apology is an insult to customers. F*** Sony.
05-01-2011
04:23 AM
66 million possible cases of identity theft and at least 10 million credit card numbers in the wild, all because sony spent more time removing features and attacking users in one year than they did on security in the last five years.
Sony was warned about huge holes, and they did nothing about it until the worst possible scenario played out. This almost seems to be the standard in Japanese business practices; Sony, Tepco, Toyota...they all had massive problems that they were warned about numerous times...and they all just let them slide until the worst-case scenario played out. At this point, the nicest thing I can say about Sony, it is that their negligence hasn't killed anyone...but if someone kills themselves and mentions identity theft in the suicide note, I won't even be able to say that.
05-01-2011
04:46 AM
Disregarding Sony's very unprofessional performance, I still hope that somehow those guys behind it will be caught and held responsible for a big part of the financial damage created for both Sony and the PSN users. Those guys should be paying bills to the end of their lifes for what they did.
05-01-2011
04:52 AM
WOW lol omg i cant stop laughing.
thats just like saying: i punched my kid n da face n then gives him a teddy bear to shut him da fuk up and then taking it away when he stops crying. LOL. this is how you say your sorry for not even encrypting users personal info? anyone feel like this is a mushroom stamp in the face?
any ways good read still funny **** ive read in awhile. **** sony !!!!! i hope sony gos bankrupt. i stopped my support long ago. no sony tv- samsung instead, used ps3, ds instead of psp, new wii n 360.
05-01-2011
05:03 AM
another future taken by an update: I am in no way able to activate my account on the same machine as it was created unless I upgrade
And I can't activate my PSN account on my legal FW 3.60 machine.
And the mail account with my PSN account is non-valid so bye bye PSN...
I have € 40,- left on my PSN and I will compensate this in ANY way, Sony!!
I more and more start believing Sony is making this all up:
We need more info about how it was done if it really was done. I think it was no cyber attack but just an ordinairy physical theft of data information. Sony was planning the move already and with a move people get fired. And one of those unhappy employees on the list to get fired toke it away or if it was indeed a cybercrime he opened a gateway/backdoor... But it stays an inside job..
05-01-2011
05:40 AM
Why no make a p2p online service as alternative to psn, cfw's own online place to play games?
05-01-2011
05:46 AM
05-01-2011
06:06 AM
Hahahah knew it, PSN+ which is valued at 40!! How can they call that compensation for what they have done.
Just give me a bloody xbox so I never have to worry about Sony products again!
Woah woah woah! Hang on a second! It says 1 month of free psn+! 40 is for a years membership, so 1 month is only worth 3!!!!!
How the f**k can they call that compensation! Its just another big insult to us gamers!
Come on we should all demand an xbox so we can forget about Sony and their PS3!
05-01-2011
06:14 AM
I still have doubts that their internal databases were compromised...and here is why...
Every time someone logs into the PSN (at least before the shutdown), all of the information listed is transmitted, without any encryption. This is well known. What I am thinking about now is the week before the shutdown; that whole time, it took 4-10 tries to log in...what if the first 3-9 tries failed because they were intercepted? Wouldn't that give you something like say, only 10 million CC numbers? I mean, we all know that the PSN has a lot more CC numbers than that stored...so why are only 10 million compromised if there was a breach into the server that probably has over 50 million?
Of course, my theory is backed by something stronger than numbers...Sony claims their servers were hacked...and Sony is incapable of truth. Therefor, the servers were not hacked.
05-01-2011
06:22 AM
I think this will slow down all the hacking scene. PS3 hacking has nothing to do with these cyberattacksbut we all know that it will strengthen Sony's position against the hackers.
The FBI has already offered to help Sony find the criminals. It's serious.
Imagine GeoHot or Anonymous is behind it
05-01-2011
06:25 AM
The funny thing would be if they hacked the psn after it comes back online... (not for the users, for sony...) (it would be the most EPIC WIN for hackers and TOTAL EPIC FAIL FOR SONY. Also, total lulz :P) Well i have said again... Where is the private psn...
I hope there will be people there after 26th May that i'll play again!
P.S.: For p2p gaming use XBSlink its awesome
Also, what if a hack was made that simulates the psn but uses p2p for each game, so we won't need the game to support LAN to play...
05-01-2011
06:30 AM
"Hackers found out that we were lying and breaking so many laws that if the people knew they would be an uproar"
"Yeah well lets hunt them down and say they are the bad guys for making us look stupid"
"Yeah people are stupid and will believe anything, we can pull it off"
I cant believe there arent any more people who agree with me that Sony should compensate us with an xbox! I mean are you really still going to support Sony after this?! Buying PS3 games supports Sony, and most games are on the xbox anyway, better to support the devs via xbox then help fill sony's wallet.
05-01-2011
06:43 AM
@bigo93 : the main advantage of the ps3 over the 360 is that the online gaming is FREE. That's why a lot of people will unfortunately stick with Sony whatever happens. free gaming speaks the louder and i'm sure not so many people will migrate to the xbox360.
05-01-2011
07:12 AM
When, not if, that happens I think people would prefer xbl.
05-01-2011
07:24 AM
Press conference video added to first post.
05-01-2011
08:46 AM
"They will be working with the FBI to conduct a full criminal investigation"
....Yes....and it won't be long before the FBI finds them.......I say maybe a month or 2.........I'd love to see the look on the hackers' faces when the Feds bust down their doors.......you can fool a lot of people....but you CANNOT fool the U.S. Government.....
I support hacking but one thing I don't support is retaliation......the stupidest thing you can do is mess with a big company with money..who can get help from the FBI........obviously "anonymous" has no clue the FBI can see through encrypted traffic and IP addresses with the flick of a switch.....
now those stupid little kids will pay.......hope you like jail "anons"
05-01-2011
09:07 AM
trufan1, seriously I don't think Anonymous was behind this, look at thier history, all they ever do i DDOS that doesn't and cannot steal data, it just prevent servers from responding. Anonymous pissed off users by hitting PSN login servers but there is a HUGE difference between preventing the flow of data, and stealing information off a server, and I'll add something else, if Anonymous had been continuing to DDOS the PSN, our data would likely still be safe as the hacker who stole our info would have also been denied the access the the PSN servers as we were...
effectively Anonymous was protecting our data, until they called off the attack.
05-01-2011
09:13 AM
and I don't want the Xbox (it is M$), the new Nintendo is also allright with me, this way the money still goes to Japan, only to their competitor
Nah, the new unhackable PS3 for compensation is ok too
05-01-2011
09:24 AM
05-01-2011
09:40 AM
Interesting article thanks for sharing.
i hope that translation is accurate.
05-01-2011
09:40 AM
I wonder if this is the security threat Sony was talking about with OtherOS? Well even if it is they could of patched the holes instead of removing it and no one would care. Sony may have been asking for this when they screamed OtherOS is a security threat. I know I would of went fishing around if I had the skills to do it.
05-01-2011
11:03 AM
05-01-2011
11:23 AM
So much for only 2 million users data taken. They can't even guarantee what the hackers got. They haven't verified, which is odd, if they hackers got everything down the pipeline or not. Every time you download something it leaves a trace, for f sakes figure it out Sony. It's either that or they do know, and they were advised at this time to not give detailed information out until after those responsible are caught.
Another thing that ticks me off is them down-playing the identity theft portion of it, like its the least important thing. It's not. Not every PSN user is going to move, just to change their address. They may change their phone # if it was listed, but they can't change their b-day. Should the FBI not be able to catch at least the data lost, this could blow up on Sony again a few years down the road. Yes it takes time to plan out a proper ID theft to use against the consumer of your choice; there's prolly a lot of people out of that 77 mil with bad credit or little. But as discussed on a previous post, this is still the most major threat. If that information goes public or that information gets sold, or even given away, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what to do with it.
PSN + for a month and an entertainment package is a lot less than what Sony should be delivering on the table. Even the gov't across the nations are already demanding more. Like having Sony for a year pay for consumer protection and insure any losses caused by this ID theft. However, a year will not be long enough, as it doesn't take much to sit back and do nothing and wait for the heat to blow over if those responsible never get caught.
Now I not saying it is guaranteed to be that bad, but it definitely COULD be that bad. What makes this worse, is that at least half of PSN users won't even care. As they don't think any harm would come out of knowing someone's name, address, b-day. Or its kids who think, its my parents that have this issue, not I. Well I hope those parents have common sense to be just as concerned as I. It doesn't change the fact that' it's already too late, and nothing Sony can do other than make sure they get the info back, as well as make sure there are no other copies made and streaming about, that's all Sony can do and hope for. That's all we as consumers can truly hope for. And should that information get back safely, how far can we trust Sony to protect our information.
They claimed they took our "security of data very seriously", yea bloody right. Of course you do now that its lost, before then you took more seriously getting those that offended you for modding the PS3 behind bars and woah, low and behold, not one of them are behind bars. Not one of them have been ordered to pay Sony F*** ALL. So wasted $ that could have been spent protecting us, went to lawyers to protect Sony. They didn't even have a Chief Security Officer. EVERY corporation that deals with $ by the millions and up has a freaking CSO.
Everyone should be more than mad, and for those only wanting to go back on PSN and don't care for what this means in the digital age; grow up already, cause one day it could effect you, and before you know it, you are in debt before you even hit the age of 20. I normally say keep it gaming, in this case, keep it gaming on anything that doesn't utilize PSN.
05-01-2011
11:27 AM
After reading all these comments I had to jump in
What in earth is wrong with you people?
I totally agree that Sonys business ethics are depleted. How they treat customers is insulting. Not gonna deny that.
However, this has great potential to ruin Sony. May never see a PS4, or even another ps3 title for that matter. Is this really what you want? However deep my hatred for Sony runs, I LOVE THIS CONSOLE!
Anybody who says "**** Sony, I'm buying an XBox" it a complete and utter retard! XBox couldn't hold a candle to the PS3, if you deny that ur a MS fanboy to begin with.
Stop forgetting why we are in this, for our rights, not to ruin what remains of the console we love!
Do I want Sony to stop being jackasses about security and consumer rights, absolutely!
Do I want them to embrace the homebrew community, absolutely!
Do I want them to cease from existence because some idiots feel asthough they have been so wronged that they justify a move like this, absolutely NOT!
Use your brains people!
$0.02
05-01-2011
11:35 AM
************* [ - Post Merged - ] *************
05-01-2011
11:43 AM
I don't remember Xbox live being unusable for almost two weeks, with all of its members accounts being compromised....
05-01-2011
11:43 AM
THIS MAN SPEAKS THE TRUTH!
Finally someone who agrees with me!
05-01-2011
11:49 AM
This has ZERO chance of Ruining Sony
05-01-2011
11:51 AM
To go back to my original point, NGP is still on schedule for fall launch, and Sony has already shown off tablets to compete against iPads. They been showing the tablets off while working around the clock on this network issue. Sony isn't dumb, they know they have to keep making products, keep expanding their current line-up, fix their lack of security on PSN AND hopefully with the help of FBI and other nations track down our information and those responsible. Rest assured, Sony is not going to die; so will they hurt?
Oh darn right they will. Will WallStreet care how Sony deals with their consumers to keep them coming back? OH ****ing right shareholders are pissed and worried. Will those shareholders walk away from Sony forcing them out of public market? No. Sony is WAY to big, has too many markets in other areas that generate high profits. PSN and their game devices/software is only a couple out of MANY Sony does.
So please stop worrying that this could be the end of Sony on a board where only a few out of 77 mil are talking. And please don't ask people to not get so mad about this serious issue and PLEASE do not ask people to not sell their Sony products or to stop supporting Sony cause at the end of the day, it's their choice to protect themselves by ANY means necessary, because the consumers already know, if they don't, neither will Sony.
05-01-2011
11:51 AM
If 77 million accounts being compromised, 2.2 million credit cards being sold and PSN being offline for two weeks has ZERO PERCENT CHANCE to ruin Sony, I'd like to see what a ONE PERCENT chance is. Better yet, a ONE HUNDRED PERCENT chance.
05-01-2011
11:59 AM
this will 100% not ruin sony. it may however ruin their credibility in regards to psn and the playstation 3.
at worst, the dedicated ps3 players would just resort to prepaid cards instead of trusting them with CC info.
05-01-2011
12:12 PM
Oh and if you want more proof Sony won't die, take a look at IGN and see how many kids and ignorant adults post in favor of PSN just being turned on so they can get back to gaming again. We talking hundreds to thousands as they just clueless beings.
05-01-2011
12:15 PM
Sony is taking this the completely wrong way. I dont get why they have to piss off so many people and have all this happen because a small number of people have to hack into the ps3 and make cfw because they wanted OtherOS back. Look at Nintendo they could give two ****s about people having modded wii's. You dont see them going to waninkokos house and arresting him.
05-01-2011
12:19 PM
Modded Wii's don't ruin anyones online experience because there's no experience to be had in the first place!
05-01-2011
12:30 PM
05-01-2011
12:31 PM
The problem as i see it is Sony, they are the ones limiting the true potential of this great machine, I see what the xbox 360 is doing and ask myself why isn't Sony putting the PS3 to better use, why did they remove OtherOS?
You said you want Sony to stop being jackasses about security/consumer rights, I say Sony had the opportunity after they infected audio CD's with a rootkit trying to prevent piracy, but Sony hasn't learned their lesson yet apparently.
You say you want Sony to embrace the homebrew community, look at the PSP, and PS3, Sony doesn't want homebrew because that means we the consumers can use the PS3 our way independent of them, and they don't see a way to profit from our homebrew. if you can create a business model for homebrew that Sony will accept then they might give it a shot but don't hold your breath.
I want Sony to suffer, if they lose enough money over this they might be more humble in how they treat their customers and reexamine how carefully they want to protect our information/rights. if they cannot learn them I'd rather they disappear, I'd rather see no PS4 than having a corporation that feels it can do whatever the hell it pleases including pissing on my rights and not giving 2 ****s about the value of my information. I'm still waiting for OtherOS to be returned, I haven't heard a peep from Sony about compensating people that used OtherOS...
05-01-2011
12:39 PM
let me break this down for you......
I bought a $500 system because it had 'otherOS' functionality...
George Hotz hacks a firmware to boot custom programs on ps3 (thru otherOS)
Sony then takes away otherOS.........
My point being is that if geohot never touched otherOS/ We would still have it!!
I know im going to get flamed for this post, saying that Sony had a different motive, but I do not buy any of that for a second...
If you followed the ps3 scene it geohots heyday, and had to suffer by half your system getting taken away from you. Directly after geohot released his work, you would understand that geohot really caused (this
suffering and a loss of functionality...
Please dont hate.. because...
I did purchase my ps3 for linux as well as gaming
05-01-2011
12:48 PM
05-01-2011
12:52 PM
Forced update? 3.70? Well wasn't it stated that there's already a hack for 3.60 but he has no interest in it and will wait until 3.70
Lets hope.. Then again, Sony probably DID change it a bit more than anticipated, due to the database theft and all..
05-01-2011
12:54 PM
lol you should do your own research, GeoHot promised to create a CFW AFTER the OtherOS function was removed.
Also he did NOT hack the PS3 to create a CFW or boot custom programs.
EDIT:
Read this, you might learn something
http://ps3history.com/
05-01-2011
01:00 PM
Anyhoo back on topic again about this conference.
What I have read is that sony once again did not apologise for anything, to reward its patient customers they will give them one months access to their "premium" service which I have been told means what you download from it won't work in a months time which also you will have to install ANOTHER update to be able to get it.
Now this update is to "improve" your consoles security, but it wasn't my PS3 that stored 77 million peoples data was it? it wasn't hacked by an outsider for 2 whole days before I manually shut-it down. I take the "improved" security is for 2 things:
1. It will create some random algorithm "passkey" that when it connects to PSN 2.0 it is checked and confirmed before it authorise's my console onto the network.
2. They have been following Math's tweets and news-related posts about his "exploit" which the clever boffin's at Sony have now managed to patch with some sort of software modification.
05-01-2011
01:04 PM
Now that I think about it, the new FW, TOS bull****, "server move that had already been planned" etc.. makes me lean even more towards suspecting Sony themselves as the guilty party trying to scare people into thinking THIS is the kind of **** the PS3 hacking community does, which obviously is not the case.
And yeah, if Sony's not guilty, sure, it could have been one or a few members of the PS3 hacking community, probably was, but that is an isolated group of hackers within the community if anything, and of course, the rest of the community doesn't approve.. Of course we don't. They took our sensitive information. And our PSN.
Maybe I should try and head out Californy-way.. Maybe the PSN isn't all dried up over there.. lol
05-01-2011
01:04 PM
05-01-2011
01:05 PM
One thing is for certain, one months free PSN+ membership with some free dlc is nowhere near enough!
Who do they think we are thinking a service worth 4 is enough to compensate us for the trouble they have caused?! It's like giving starving orphans you dog's scraps!
I heard that Sony could be fines almost $400 per infringement, better for them to spend $250 giving us all an xbox so we never have to use out PS3s online again!
05-01-2011
01:06 PM
05-01-2011
01:07 PM
One month free PSN+ membership? Hell, by the time PSN finally comes back up, I'll damn near have already LOST one month I already paid for. Why not give existing PSN+ subscribers, I don't know, a free THREE months? Or a YEAR. Just in good faith, you know, since Sony basically reached into your pocket, took your wallet and handed it all to thieves.
On a side note, HP/Palm should get into the console business. They work TOGETHER with their homebrew community. They've even hired homebrewers to write apps for them. If it wasn't for the homebrew community, we wouldn't have webOS 2.1 on our legacy devices. And this was all done with the cooperation and approval of HP/Palm.
Funny that same device was how I performed my first PS3 3.41 jailbreak.. I remember when the HV exploit first came out, my first thought was "Geohot's gonna jailbreak it with an iphone", in a joking manner....I had no idea how close I was lol
05-01-2011
01:11 PM
Again it has came to light that the holes in Sony's security have been there for quite awhile as it was front-paged on every scener site back in Feburary (which I am sure Sony read about and just srugged it off as BS) add that to the fact that some people actually had their own shell installed on the PSN servers! Now me being a realist think that peoples data may have been compromised well before now but as their PR department would have kept quiet on it as it wasn't to this scale we never found out about it but thats just my guess. Sony have also broken quite a few simple rules in the security section not alone mention they have broken quite a few laws too (Data Protection Act for one!) - Not only should they pay, they should should offer their own a$$ for a reach-around and let the user's F*ck them for a change.
But hey maybe we should all forgive and forget, if it wasn't for Sony we wouldn't have this site and I wouldn't have fallen in love with Greg. :D
05-01-2011
01:15 PM
If Sony sends me a free advance copy of Duke Forever, all will be forgiven...well maybe not forgiven, but it will make me a lot less hostile towards Sony. I've been waiting too damn long for that game. And to play Mortal Kombat online, (where I can maybe actually get a challenge, once you're beating the arcade ladder on expert with one of your weakest characters and not losing a round, it's time for a little more of a fight.)nand get my DLC... since I haven't been able to do that since I GOT the game
Damn I miss the Dreamcast online gaming/Seganet... Sure it was dialup, but it was plenty fast at the time (never had ANY problems playing PSO, Q3A, UT, or NFL2K1 online..except if somebody paused NFL and turn off the dreamcast...the person on the other end still playing would be locked up at the pause screen until they turned the system off and back on. (maybe that was NFL2K that had that bug, it's been ten years I dunno)) Either way, to play the Dreamcast online was free, except for your dialup service, whether it be Seganet or a random local ISP. (except PSOv2, but I think that's just because of all the hackers ruining online play in v1 with the codebreaker. Forgot to mention that problem, but it wasn't THAT big a deal to me, because i was usually never affected by it.)
Basically what I'm saying, all these game systems need to go back to a much more simple approach to online gaming. Look at the online system on Q3A for dreamcast. DC's been gone for a decade, but you can still play Q3A for Dreamcast online, with no hacks or workarounds whatsoever. You just have to have a landline and a dialup connection, which most people dont these days lol... Or if you're clever, you can borrow a connection from your computer.
That's how it should all be done. List of people playing, fastest connection is the host, with no intermediary networks.
05-01-2011
01:32 PM
In turn of giving our information to Sony, Sony agreed to protect it. That's international treaty law violations, privacy violations, and security violations. Not only is FBI investigating the hackers at this point, they are in fact investigating Sony did everything in their power to protect our data. If the FBI finds they did not, other gov't sanctioned groups in US can then in turn fine them for negligence. And so will every other country; so far confirmed is Taiwan/Australia, Most of Europe and Canada all going after some consumer retribution, on top of the class action lawsuits in US.
So to day consumers deserve nothing for this act, is wrong. How so? Because thousands of lawyers and gov't sanctions declare otherwise. Even Congress sent in the letter pretty much stating you will fix this, this is how, and its not up to debate. So yea, Sony owes, and you are fool to think otherwise. But hey if turning on PSN is good enough for you, there's your reward then.
The hackers responsible owe us too, big time. But I can't see them manning up, going to the FBI and turning themselves or even the information in.
Last why was the entire PSN with Quercity *or whatever its called* tied all onto 1 server network. They never hear of cluster networking? each country PSN gets accessed should have their own highly encrypted servers, that only admins access, then have the servers speak to each other so we can all and so Sony software can still communicate over PSN to each other if we choose. That way when the attack happens through the pipelines, depending on where the attack took place, they would only get access to 1 server information if they broke in, and not all of them at once.
2 whole days open access with Sony security just watching, eating popcorn, thinking, we have this under control, we can end this any time and use this to our advantage. Yea I hope real bad it bites Sony in the a$$ for that.
05-01-2011
01:44 PM
Mystt, I honestly don't believe in the "hackers" angle of this. 2 days that system was poked about in, now I aint a security network whizkid but I am sure in todays age as soon as some restricted parts of the system were entered the damn alarms would have sounded out and the system should have automatically closed itself down (or locked parts of itself) to reduce any risk of system corruption and/or data compramise and logs should have been sent to those who need them with times/IP's & details of what was accessed.. but no. The system was left open so this makes me belive in one thing.
The FBI/CIA/CSI/NSA/MiB or whoever else has now included themselves into this investigation not need look over here at us sceners but should instead look into Sony. Mainly any disgruntled employees or those recently fired. Taking closer notice of anyone who knew the system, knew of the backdoors and had the keys to these locks. As soon as that system was compromised there should have been a big red notice across everyones screen that said "F*CK!" but this wasn't the case either this system was as secure as unlocked toilet or someone knew what buttons to press to fool/bypass/disable the security measures in place.
Thats just my 2 cents & yes I know it aint even worth that... what the F*CK do i know
05-01-2011
02:01 PM
FBI has already confirmed there has been an attack, so yes there was an intrusion. FBI is currently investigating Sony to figure out the answers congress wishes to know by May 6th. Hopefully by then if Sony doesn't answer, FBI will.
I believe there was an intrusion, but it's still up in the air if the CC data was stolen, or how much if it was. There is no question about the other information, it was taken. It could be Sony lied about the CC to get the focus of attention off them and onto hackers, as that would be considered the immediate threat. Sony would also like consumers to believe that those responsible for hacking are a part of the same group that mods their PS3 *for piracy, even if we don't*.
Either or, most people have valid interesting points on what is going on. Only the ones that argue having PSN back on and consumers deserve nothing, should do a bit more research to whats going on. IMO.
Even should it turn up the investigation PROVES there was no intrusion, then that also proves that we as consumers can't trust Sony. That Sony does not have consumers interest in their plans, and that everything they ever said aside from showcasing technology and software was a lie. That will be dealt with accordingly and would have severe impacts on Sony, maybe even criminal charges.
05-01-2011
02:18 PM
wow guys quit complaining at least there trying real hard to get it back online and giving away free ps+ month for ps+ members i mean aint this a good deal or not ? i mean at least give them some credit its not like there going to get it back online and not give every ps+ member a free month so u guys better be thankfull that u are getting something for free. and yes i do blame the hacker who doesnt have a life just to hack the psn for funn and trust me i hate not going back online after a week or so its driving me crazy lol.
05-01-2011
02:23 PM
05-01-2011
02:40 PM
Discussing an issue of this magnitude can hardly be seen as complaining. And what would happen if complaints weren't made? Sony would assume their security was good enough, and all of this would happen again in a couple of months until Sony starts treating their consumers with respect.
At the possibility nothing happened and Sony fabricated this event, well that will open up an entire new can of worms of complaints. But that doesn't mean complaints can't be done with taste, as seen a many well discussed posts here.
At the end of the day, those pleased with Sony efforts *whom still never given a formal apology, not even one on their site apologizing for being down*, then be pleased with Sony. Go back to PSN knowing your security is still at risk. There's no telling even if they will released details on how security was vamped up before PSN is back up, so go ahead back to your gaming community and be happy.
For those of us with sense, we'll be patient enough to see just how exactly Sony is going to prevent this from happening in the future, and hopefully this time will have circumvention methods in place to dealing with this type of intrusion going forward. As well as assurances and insurance policies in place in case this happens again.
In other-words to each their own, but we don't have to belittle others or ask people to stop complaining about something that is a relatively serious issue. And it is serious, because again if it wasn't, then lawyers and politicians alike wouldn't be gathering together still demanding answers we didn't get last night during Sony's 1 minute press conference. Imo they didn't bow their heads low enough. *Check youtube for sony's so called lack of apology*
05-01-2011
03:19 PM
I would abandon PS3, but I don't really care for the 360 at all, and the Wii just isn't up there on the same level. (I do want to check out the 3DS sometime though)
05-01-2011
04:09 PM
05-01-2011
04:32 PM
Lets hope, but I've lost quite a bit of faith in Nintendo since the 90's. The Virtual Boy was awesome, imo, and they abandoned it. The N64 was so-so, I despise the gamecube, and the Wii is cool, but it's severely limited as to what it can do.
05-01-2011
06:11 PM
Apparently my last post was reflected to the wrong direction whether by me or others, it doesn't really matter. The point I'm trying to make is this does not help the scene in any way, shape, or form. If anything it hurts the scene. Stop mistaking this as some kind of win for us because its not.
Never once did I ask people to not be pissed. Hell my CC info was in that database too!! Just don't misinterpret this data breach as some sort of chess move for the scenes better good.
@ Mr. Rasputin..........
I mean not to offend your intelligence.........but the fact remains that the PS3 and PSN are two seperate entities. You can have your PS3 without PSN any day of the week. Same goes for XBox and Live. As a CONSOLE, the XBox could not hold a candle to the PS3!!
However, when it comes to online gaming, XBox takes the cake, and we all know this to be true! Sorry for not elaborating in my OP!
@ the Guy who thinks the Removal of OtherOS had nothing to do with GH .......
you sir, are incredibly misinformed!
05-01-2011
06:36 PM
@Johnnyb15613
I agree that it is not a win nor a lose as all the whole thing has done is cause problems for Sony and PS3 users alike.
I do have to say you are wrong in one thing though (in my opinion anyways)... "You can have your PS3 without PSN"..... Techinically no I can't as I cannot play the latest games without updating the OFW, and although that is not solely due to PSN access, it does figure very largely in it.
05-01-2011
06:43 PM
05-01-2011
11:21 PM
"I know im going to get flamed for this post, saying that Sony had a different motive, but I do not buy any of that for a second..."
Sorry back to Topic....
psn+ and free dlc for regular psn users, almost seems like a ploy to 'lure-in' more potential psn+ subscribers... Whilst giving the same deal to current psn+ users, is just trying to 'keep them'
All in all they just might gain more monthly income from this whole ordeal.
05-02-2011
12:00 AM
on this paper you say "Still no explanation on what happen and no apologies for not securing your data properly."
obviously you didn't see hirai bow for 7 seconds in apology.
05-02-2011
01:16 AM
05-02-2011
02:44 AM
man Sony failed royally this time :/
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and yeah for Members who didn't follow the story here's a complete flashback
05-02-2011
10:21 AM
why can't the whole post be on the first page of the topic instead of linking to another page, what's the point,
05-02-2011
10:52 AM
Read it on the front page and you wont have that problem.