Unless you're some sort of internet surfing ninja, the PlayStation Network news has been hard to avoid. Sony's online platform provides online gaming, new video game, movie and music content to millions - and it has been hit hard by nefarious hackers.
While we can all live without playing online for a few days, the PSN hacking fallout may have bigger repercussions. Earlier this week Sony issued a chilling official statement confirming that the personal information of its users had been compromised as a result of the illegal "intrusion".
While there is no evidence at this time that any credit card data was used fraudulently, the possibility cannot be ruled out. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, an "abundance of caution" is advised.
Sony has said it hopes to restore PlayStation Network services within a week - but the question is... will you go back?
With the service and personal details compromised on such a broad and fundamental level will you be able to once again place your sensitive information in Sony's hands after being burned? Are you thinking it might be time to jump ship and join Xbox Live? Or are you confident that Sony will be able to address the security issues once and for all and are happy to forgive, forget, and go on enjoying the PlayStation Network's multiplayer gaming and content offerings?
As ever, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below...
Comments
101 comments so far...
JD_Method on 28 Apr '11 said:
I'll probably buy prepaid cards from now on.
I think I entered in false information for my name and address and stuff anyway, so I'm not too worried about that being taken.
gmcb007 on 28 Apr '11 said:
You should just go look at the new users' post history to get your answer. 95% of them consist of swearing, bad spelling and the demand of freebes. But mostly they say how Sony is now the worst thing in the world and they wont go back.
I honestly don't see why people won't go back to using it. Yes, people will be a lot more cautious when it comes to buying with credit card but overall I think it will slowly return to its former status.
timewarp1 on 28 Apr '11 said:
Of course. PSN cards are cheaper than real money anyway. Zavvi sometimes does £20 for £15.95 if your lucky enough to spot them.
If they supplied me with the address of a few Anon members and FW hackers plus free weapons and travel, then that would really make up for the downtime!
boskersrevenge on 28 Apr '11 said:
Which as we know is all p**s and wind
I like games and there are some great game on PSN so yes, but I think what this has taught me is that I have too many cards registered on sites and I think I am going to start taking them down.
PSN cards will do fine.
flash501 on 28 Apr '11 said:
This! The whole episode has been a real eye opener for me. I've been giving out my cc details left right and centre without ever really thinking about the potential consequences.
voodoo341 on 28 Apr '11 said:
There's a 6% discount on PSN cards on Shopto.net and you get the code instantly. If you build up your loyalty bonus you'll get that off them as well.
damoxuk on 28 Apr '11 said:
As soon as PSN is back up i'll be changing my password and deleting my credit card details (expiring soon anyhow) and getting PSN cards.
PSN cards are cheaper anyway something which i've always been meaning to do for ages now I have an excuse
Oh and there's always cashback (quidco etc) on those purchases (I think).
But that's about it once PSN is back up i'll be back to normal. Although been playing on my PC online this past week.
l1nc on 28 Apr '11 said:
I think sony should dish out free psn money as compensation to every psn user.
fred123q on 28 Apr '11 said:
M8 just found out 90 pounds missing from his bank account I would suggest yes credit card data has been stole and he just informed me hes is switching to theother side Xbox and he was ps diehard ****has anyone else had money missing from there account***** seems suspect I would say sony knew about the credit card data being stole they possibly just hoped there encrytion would save save them appears not!!!
tomthespesh on 28 Apr '11 said:
Nope, never ever. I feel let down by Sony and this shambles is just angers me. Though not going back is easy as I don't have anything connected to the PSN...
djreplay on 28 Apr '11 said:
I'll be back.
KainsLegion on 28 Apr '11 said:
This hasn't really phased me much, except that i am bored now on some evenings. I went and changed a few passwords and have been watching my CC account like a hawk (which i normally do anyways), but i'm sure they will come back with something strong (they have to at this point, otherwise they are pouched). I like the content of PSN and the PS3 in general to ever give it up. I enjoy using the video store regularly and the online gaming experience has satisfied my appetite.
I will be back on PSN as soon as possible. But will I reconsider using my credit card so recklessly; Yes, I will alter my habbits; just in case. You'd be crazy not to if you are an online shopper.
flash501 on 28 Apr '11 said:
Oh I'll go back to psn, I'll just be using psn cards instead of my credit card.
righteousjudge09 on 28 Apr '11 said:
Heck yes I'll go back! And here's hoping for a new online experience after sony cleans this up...I cancelled my credit card, had a new one sent to me, notified my credit monitor. Besides that, Facebook has already sold my email, address and personal interests to others...I guess i'll just have to empty my spam folder more and can look forward to more junk snail mail:) Seriously, we all had problems with the PSN before this...perhaps as they create a more secure network we can look forward to things like improved online reliability and cross game chat...(that would make the unconvience worth it for me) Besides...what would I turn to? 360 or Wii? I would rather convert to being an amish farmer than that!
Data Ghost on 28 Apr '11 said:
I will use PSN again if it lets me remove my card details entirely (not sure if they have to be there or if its optional, cant remember). At the end of the day I NEVER purchase anything on PSN at all so its an unnessesary risk for me having them stored on there.
I have to say though that I have always found PSN to be second rate, I dont play multiplayer on PSN and I dont buy anything from it. I think the only game I can ever remember playing on it was Uncharted 2 multiplayer.
matthew_m_g on 28 Apr '11 said:
Probably not...at least, not any time soon.
Was already looking for a good stand-alone Blu-Ray player with Netflix, Amazon, et al--this PSN outage just pushes that decision up to the top of the list.
If the PSN truly delivered something that was competent and secure, then yes, I'd stay. Since it's failed to deliver in one of those two core criteria for quite a while now, and the second only this past week, it's really going to take something spectacular with the reboot of their service to get me to stay.
890WERT on 28 Apr '11 said:
Yes but the credit card details will be removed and as its been already been mentioned that network cards will be used instead .
AngeloComet on 28 Apr '11 said:
No question I'll be back.
Any massive corporation with even the remotest connection to the internet that you have logged details with runs the risk of being targeted by, and broached, by hacking thieves.
My details may have been compromised but, so far, my money is safe, untouched. Furthermore, it's covered should it even be taken. You change your passwords. You take heed to the idea that you shouldn't have been using those same passwords all over the place. Minor lessons gets learned and life goes on.
Abandoning Sony, PSN, jumping ship to Xbox Live or wherever, that would be a massive over-reaction. As other posters have noted, there's a good chance that Sony will have tighter security now and a potentially improved service. If anything, now they've been hit, Sony PSN is perhaps the SAFEST PLACE to have your details!
Of course the alternative is to disconnect yourself entirely from technology, remove all traces of yourself from 'the system' (good luck with that), grow a big f--k off beard and go and live in a mountain cave.
SavageEvil on 28 Apr '11 said:
Never had CC details on PSN, made one purchase and that was MW DLC, yea the card used has been deactivated for years now, lol. I love my PS3, why wouldn't I go back to playing PSN, I still play Live. Screw that one system mentality, having options is a good thing. Carry on.
El Mag on 28 Apr '11 said:
Yep i'll be back. I've got some genuinely good lads on my friends list, even if i'm just sitting chilling out watching por...youtube *cough* on the browser they'll always be good for a laugh. I've only ever used a credit card once (theme hospital WOOHOO) and that was near 2 years ago and i deleted the details right after. And my e-wang waving with 37 plats just can't end so abruptly on a bad note. I can forgive in time, but i'll never forget.
Sammy_bham on 28 Apr '11 said:
Is this a serious article CVG? seriously?
what childish drivle.
"will you go back to psn".
yes. yes we will.
99% of all current psn users will go back, in fact we are all waiting for it to be back up, so we can use it. What a stupid article.
If Live went down for the same reason, nearly everyone would go back to it.
people who are spouting such things as "im getting rid of my ps3 and buying a 360" or " ive lost total faith in psn" are technology's version of hyperchondriacs (lol @ spelling).
Dont get me wrong, it is a disaster and i am worried about some of my information being stolen etc. But losing faith in sony???. Hackers can and will hack anything. MOD was hacked, MI5 has been hacked, CIA has been hacked. If at any point in your life you thought "ooo, psn will be ok (thumbs up)". You were kidding yourself.
out of the 77 million psn users a good 76,900,000 psn will be going back. (obviously a generalisation, dont crucify me for not being exactly correct).
End of article.
originalbadboy on 28 Apr '11 said:
Personally I dont use PSN for MP ...
I do however use it for mini's etc so I will still be using it .. Will I re-add my CC details ... no
I know at least two people at work who have bought 360's again over the last couple of days cos they are fed up with Sony ... They wont be the last, that's for sure.
hi0marc on 28 Apr '11 said:
It'll be back to its normal capacity within weeks, including myself.
Maybe sales will be hit for the next month or so but overall it will hit form again around summertime with new releases etc.
gogo65uk on 28 Apr '11 said:
I'm more tempted to stop using these forums than PSN at this point. CVG your using this to troll way too much for anyones liking. If this ever happens to XBL you feckers will be suicidal. just how many more articles on this PSN outage can you reword and use again before even you get bored of them?
PG2603 on 28 Apr '11 said:
People on this forum are saying, blah blah blah, i'm going to get a Xbox 360 instead. I would pmsl lol, if the hackers did the same to Microsoft. Then that'll be twice.
alan666 on 28 Apr '11 said:
if you use a PS3 you have no choice to use PSN, i always use the scratch cards anyway.
pRM8 on 28 Apr '11 said:
Although I hardly used it Yeah I'll use PSN again, I had no card details stored anyway so any info they may actually have on me can be obtained quite easily from elsewhere.
All I want it back up for is to link it with my steam Acc so I can play Portal 2 on my PC and then some co-op. Not bothered about anything else.
budobear on 28 Apr '11 said:
How the flying F*** can you have found PSN to be second rate if you never use any of the services? If you don't use it for downloading games or multi player then yeah its not great, but it would be no worse than Live if you didn't do any of those things!
I'm confused!
Imaduck on 28 Apr '11 said:
I think it'll depend on a lot really. I'm not a PS3 owner (not regretting that right now as I play the Gears 3 beta
) but I can see there being many sides to this.
On one hand, I think it'd be mad to no longer use a service like PSN when you've dedicated so much time and cash (games) into it. If it's fun, why give it up just because Sony f**ked up a bit?
However, if there is actual damage done, credit card mess etc. I'd understand both the immediately concerned and onlookers moving away. That's just sense really, if you can't trust them to protect your details, you need to go elsewhere, gaming can't be the source of you losing your house or something.
If I was involved personally? If they f**ked up my personal details or leaked my info and credit card stuff, yeah I think I'd walk away. I'd hate it (having to leave) and I'd be angry and feel ripped off for trusting them and investing so much in their console, but for the sake of life in general, I'd move on.
If however I wasn't effected at all personally other than a holiday break with no online play (oops), I'd be p**sed off but I doubt I'd leave, they'd just have to win back my confidence. I reckon that's where most will stand really. If I was a Plus user I'd be really, really, really p**sed off if they messed something up and didn't refund me.
djreplay on 28 Apr '11 said:
As long as it's not off for a month I don't think they need to refund anybody. The stuff you get with plus (free games & dlc) can be downloaded on the first of the month or the last, by not being on PSN for 2 week's you won't have lost anything.
WHAT?
ps Where did you get that trophy hack?
El Mag on 28 Apr '11 said:
Haha, i won't lie there's some crap on there and a couple my brother played. Last one was Yakuza 4 though, brilliant game i just couldn't put it down until i had the shiny.
spam23 on 28 Apr '11 said:
of course i will
yourmumwasfun on 28 Apr '11 said:
Log in, put card details in, buy stuff, delete card details, log out. If you're too cautious.
Barca Azul on 28 Apr '11 said:
Now lert me think a minute. Machine cost me 400 Euros, 30 plus games, it will cost me at least another 250 Euros for a different machine.
Its still a good overall experience on the PSN, with the exception of home (hope that squatters haven't moved in whilst its been empty......since month after launch)
Probably still potentially the best line up of tittles this year, unless your a massive FPS fan.
Ill probably keep the machine and log on again.
Perhaps the question should be, will you think twice. For the next gen before buying because of this!
lordirongut on 29 Apr '11 said:
Of course. It would be retarded not to.
Noobsaibot on 29 Apr '11 said:
I will definately go back (even more than before). Because that's what Anon do not want. Sony are probably strugling more than enough from the Japanese quake. I don't want playstation to fall into oblivion just because some bored keyboard saboteurs (or information freedom fighters as they probably like to be called) think they deserve their cake, be allowed eat it and feel they're owed the family secret too.
Reegeee on 29 Apr '11 said:
I don't think Sony will be too worried about people coming back. Most of us have quite a large library of games that we play online. What are we going to do? Sell them all? Nah. I would bet Sony is currently being asked 2 questions over an over again at the moment, at number one 'are my credit card details safe?' and number 2, 'when is PSN coming back online?'
And I agree with Noob. Spirit of the Blitz people! We shall not falter (Just delete our card information).
TheCrimsonFenix on 29 Apr '11 said:
I never left.
duende667 on 29 Apr '11 said:
definitely stickin with the ps3,for me its just a matter of changin my password,used psn cards all the time anyway.i originally started on the 360 and went through 5 of them in 2 years because of RROD.the thought of going back to the big squishy fisher-price controllers and fear of RROD makes me want to rock myself gently while cradling my knees in a corner,i can't go back,please dont make me.....
LordVonPS3 on 29 Apr '11 said:
To improve PSN gamer's security, Sony should (at least)...
1) Support PayPal funded transactions on the PSN.
2) Make PSN cards more readily available through retailers and SCE website(s) which would in turn support PayPal.
3) Stop hoarding credit card info & use a bank's hosted order page to do ALL card authorisation instead.
4) Use / enable 3D Secure or equivalent for all credit card transactions (Sony should be able to simply enable this option for each currency merchant account with the bank).
5) Stop hoarding gamer's personal info. The only info that's needed is the PSN ID, password and e-mail address. Maybe trophy information and last login date+time, but that's it... Nothing else. If people want to blog or share personal info - there's already other sites - including Sony boards for that.
6) Encrypt gamer's personal info, including order history. Anything Sony stores about its customers needs to be encrypted.
7) Allow users to change their PSN ID's. Users have been asking for this feature for years…
9) Whenever a user signs into PSN, he should be notably informed about his last login date+time.
10) Allow trophies to sync only when the gamer is set as "online". It shouldn't be possible to see when you were playing a game - either online or offline - beyond the previous day. On that note, remove the time from the date+time stamp for each trophy.
11) Allow gamers to make their gamer card 100% private, available only to friends or public.
12) Allow gamers to play online but mask / hide their gamer tag. Players would only see an auto-incremental 10 digit number issued and relating to when a player signed into the PSN. It should not be possible to send a friend request to a "hidden" player.
13) Tighten access control measures such that just to create a new system-administrator account - executive level approval must be given to a named and personally met employee. IT executives & senior managers need be tasked with personally meeting all system-administrators joining the company and authorising system access before any system access is granted. Any and all 3rd party IT supplier system-administrator access should be fully revoked. Only 1st party sys-admins and IT staff should be trusted!
14) Ensure anti-malware, anti-virus, etc - software products are installed on all servers. Ensure all servers are properly and routinely patched.
15) Install TripWire or an equivalent security product to any and all customer database servers such that any and all actions / changes on - or to those servers are logged.
16) Send an instant e-mail alert to system administrator manager(s) whenever a system-administrator account logs into any customer database server, indicating whose sys-admin account that is. In this way, system-administrator's access can be personally and visually monitored. i.e. I can see a system-admin remote session in progress and / or him physically using a customer server via CCTV.
17) Ensure only sys-admin accounts or the SYSTEM account (used to provide r+w access to authenticated servers) has access to any and all customer database servers. No user level accounts. Alert on creation of any account that does not have sys-admin privileges.
18) There needs to be complete transparency from Sony about what it is storing, where and how it is protected, including the encryption algorithms employed. Keep the public informed.
Think I'm about done, for now... If Sony does all these things then I will feel Sony has addressed my initial concerns.
gmcb007 on 29 Apr '11 said:
@lordvonps3
Very good list but unfortunatly Sony will more than likely go back to its old structure.
LordVonPS3 on 29 Apr '11 said:
I agree and that's why it's fair to say Sony isn't going to be working hard enough to deserve your custom after what's taken place...
cranium2001 on 29 Apr '11 said:
This is the perfect answer. I was at GameStop earlier and one of the associates did comment on the amount of people trading in their PS3's for Xbox 360's. I was a little surprised so many people jumped ship to be honest. I see this problem as a bump in the road. Hopefully when the bump is fixed it will be like a freshly paved road again.
digifreak277 on 29 Apr '11 said:
Yeah i'll be back to psn. Big whoop they stole people's details but i never really had anything major on psn so I'm fine, i'm not paying £40 a year for xbox live, thats just stoopid
P.S. i won Playstation Move Heroes from firstplay today
crs353 on 29 Apr '11 said:
of course i will go back to psn its a great service. i have been on it for 4 years and have loved it no problems with it at all. this is something i see will strengthen sony and psn. yes things get hacked and people miss up ( as in if stuff wasn't encrypted ) and people/ companies learn from mistakes. yea i don't feel Sony owes me anything but as a plus member iv felt like i been stealing the games from them ( i felt i got my moneys worth like the 2nd month of plus ) but the only thing that bothers me is that i bought the free realms 1 month card and so this is cutting into my time ( idk if that time will count on pc ) but other then that its fine. these people need to calm down this people just flipping out over something that isn't as bad as it seams. so yes i will go back to psn. nothing can beat it.
edit 1:
i will be useing psn cards from now on tho. i didnt keep my cc info save on psn tho.. even tho iv used it and its prob in there history.
EddieNES on 29 Apr '11 said:
instead of talking about the new update that came out today for fallout nv that freezes consoles, cvg asks dumb questions like this. everyone careful with your fallout. im just posting on here cause its the most active. dont update fallout!
meh2allfanboys on 29 Apr '11 said:
I will use my ps3 yes but only for uncharted 2/3 and fifa 12 when thats released only reason il get fifa 12 on ps3 is i think the dualshock 3 is more suited to fifa than the 360 controller im not a huge fan of killzone 3/socom 4, il make a decision on resistance 3 after the multiplayer demo and il rent inFamous 2 before buying as i thought the 1st 1 sucked.
orgasmatron on 29 Apr '11 said:
So they had a major attack. The truth is that it is not the only company that's attacked. there are a lot of others. and there are companies that doesn't know they're attacked because of bad security. all the banks all over the world are probably attacked as well and there are some that even don't know it. This is the internet life that you are in. no one has never been safe since internet began. and yet every person use the net and give away their personal id:s and all their bank accounts and cards. so this was not a newsflash. the only reason it was on the big news is that sony told that noone could hack their system. But here is a new newsflash. as long as it is electronics and computers nothing is safe. even if they come up with new securities they always will be hacked and cracked. so why bother. as long as you have a console or computer you WILL be hacked. you are probably hacked right now and don't know it. I know I am hacked but my lack in computer education makes so I can't find them.
totalweapon on 29 Apr '11 said:
i will definitely go back. it's not sonys fault they got hacked. and as far as i know nobody has had any money taken or they cards used so stop crying about it.
bigroy on 29 Apr '11 said:
I'll be back - I'm not too worried about this sort of thing tbh. I use unique passwords etc.
Makes me chuckle a bit at people saying that they will use psn cards to avoid using cc's and then say they will be getting them from internet based companies like shopto and zavvi - how exactly are you going to get them? you will be adding your cc details to another site!! This was nothing to do with some hacker grudge with sony - this was professional hackers after personal data - and they are doing it all the time and who knows which database they will go for next to be able to sell the details on?
just follow the recommended advice on how to protect your info - that is all we can do!
budge on 29 Apr '11 said:
I cancelled my bank cards and changed a few passwords the other day, it took me about 15 mins. No biggie whatsoever, it's a mishap that could've been worse but it wasn't. I honestly don't understand the massive palaver that's been made over this! Chill out people.
Laughlyn on 29 Apr '11 said:
i'll be using it of course. They've hopefully tightened up any secuirty loopholes in the system and i dont usually have any details on PSN anyway as i buy PSN vouchers online (usually for a few quid cheaper) as long as service has been improved i'm sure i'll forgive em, i just want psn back up cos i have a bunch of DLD i'm wanting to redeem for various games i bought over last few week
Solm on 29 Apr '11 said:
I will be back never used credit cards when buying stuff on the PS store always used PSN cards and the fact that I sold my xbox 360 before Christmas just don't have enough time in my day to play both consoles
sizzle69 on 29 Apr '11 said:
Oooo.... is this the Cyber Terrorism that the Tories warned us of????
Firstly, just signed up to CVG forums - I was sent my user name and PASSWORD via a plain text email. Now, understandably, I decided not to add my address, phone number, shoe size and CC number but c'mon CVG guys, this isn't rocket science. I've only just created it, I'd have a seriously poor short term memory if I had forgotten it in the time it took to receive an email!?
How many sites have got this information on you anyway? Amazon? Play? HotJugs.com? Jeez, I've seen people put their whole life on social networking sites thinking that it's safe and that Mark Zuckerberg is your "BFF" like Phoebe from "Friends".
Only recently RSA (yes, the IT security company) were hacked and delicate information was taken regarding their 2-factor authentication. Oh, you didn't know this? Why would you? It doesn't affect you directly. After all some central/local government bodies use RSA tech to access their infrastructure remotely which holds Social Care data, etc. Companies are hacked and data is stolen on a daily basis.
I have no reason not to continue to trust Sony with the data I choose to provide. Anyway, they're rebuilding their environment with stricter controls. It's called learning from your mistakes. Who knows tomorrow might be Microsoft's turn (a hacker might already be collecting your data now without Microsoft's knowledge - afterall their OS offerings aren't really the most secure option and other developers usually release a workaround before MS even acknowledge an issue) and then what are you guys gonna play your games on? A Windows PC? Hmmm..... make sure it's patched, get a solid firewall and get a decent AV (or 5).
You're still breathing, right? Well then, it's all ok. Take some Kalms, you're all gonna get through this.
Rocketman on 29 Apr '11 said:
No choice,sold my Xbox when i got my PS3,but i will be using prepaid from now on
starsail on 29 Apr '11 said:
I'm technically still using it to access the internet via its browser. From there I can still downlo ... cough ... and stream ... cough ... ahem ... movies and music into my lovely tele, which is better in my opinion that sitting at a monitor in the corner, plus the added bonus that its connected to my entertainment 5.1 surround is also rather cool. Anyone who isn't taking the hub advantages of PS3's online capabilities is rather silly, with DivX, Flash and WMV content supported.
With regards to the network itself, Sony are doing what they can to ensure these hackers aren't going to be able to do this again and I support them for it but (always a but) they have failed millions of gamers with the access that this individual (or individuals) has achieved in the first place and the resulting down time is unacceptable as a consequence. They really do need to pull the finger out. Can you imagine if you were an Xbox 360 fanboy who admitted it times to try out the PS3 to be met with this. Sony deserves to receive the criticism and hopefully should declare lots of goodies for loyal gamers when all is resolved.
try4life on 29 Apr '11 said:
of course im going back the only good game on the xbox at the moment is cod,and i hate cod.tried gears beta lol.sony picked a good week to flip the switch.i only use psn cards so the only info they got off me,they would of got out of a phone book.
chimpchilla on 29 Apr '11 said:
Yes but I will only use prepay vouchers now.
Mmmmgrolsch on 29 Apr '11 said:
Only a complete bellend wouldn't go back. Seriously this is just flamebait if I've ever seen one. Only 360 fanboys or people that didn't have a 360 will
like little bitches saying s**t like "SONY are bastards I hate PSN you ruined my whole life blah blah blah 
LIVE 4EVA init!"
Gotta laugh at people though that have acted as though Sony are a big evil empire, and now they need compo
s**t happens move on. No dubt in the future fanboys on here will forever be bringing it up just like the same morons that keeps going 360 iz crap cuz of the red light 
Multiplayerking on 29 Apr '11 said:
There's one thing keeping me with PS3 and that's the exclusive games, Uncharted, Killzone, Heavy Rain...
I'd miss these games too much. But then again I really want cross-game chat and custom soundtracks, both of which are Xbox features. I was considering getting both, but meh... It's not worth it, I'd never have time for both.
TheLastDodo on 29 Apr '11 said:
Yes I will go back to PSN. I've invested too much over the last 3 years to just up and leave. I think I deleted my CC details 2 weeks ago anyway but I'll certainly be logging in asap to rectify this asap if I didn't. As others have said, I'll be sticking to PSN cards from now on.
Even if I didn't use PSN, I'd sure as hell be keeping my PS3 to play games like inFamous 2, Uncharted 3 and The Last Guardian.
However if anything major like this happens again, I will be considering the other next gen consoles before I look into buying a PS4.
timewarp1 on 29 Apr '11 said:
unverified reports on techtree.com and telegraph that psn info for sale on underground sites including cvv number on back of card. hope you cancelled your cards
monkeydude40 on 29 Apr '11 said:
Why?
Seriously I am annoyed that it has been down for ages now but I never paid a penny in subscriptions and I`m not actually LOSING money as a result of the outage.Sony have kept everyone up to date as much as possible and they are going to rebuild the service and change the server locations.
So some bunch of no life losers decided they had nothing better to do than p**s off millions of blameless PSN users by attacking the Huge Mega Evil Sony Corporation (TM) in this manner.Thats hardly Sonys fault is it? Thats like blaming a mugging victim for the muggers actions.
They are not big or clever they are criminals pure and simple.I get the whole `Fanboy` PC/XBOX/PS3 thing which to the greater extent is just todays version of Spectrum/Amstrad/BBC micro but these hackers are scum.Lets just hope that these maroons dont think that Xbox live is the next big juicy target shall we.Lets face it Microsoft aren`t exactly known for the worlds most robust internet security are they?
Anyone on the internet should be worried about this attack on Sony.It affects everyone to some degree as it may just be the start of a larger campaign.How the heck do we know that the attack on Sony wasn`t just to test the waters?
I can only assume that any PC or XBOX 360 users using this as some kind of cheap point scoring exercise have never owned a Walkman,purchased a Sony TV or stereo,watched a film distributed by Sony or listened to ANY artist on Sony BMG? cos if you have then hullooo mr/mrs hypocrite.
monkeydude40 on 29 Apr '11 said:
WOOT WOOT WOOT
BS ALERT BS ALERT
try reading the official statement from Sony first.
Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state/province, zip or postal code), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity passwords and login and handle/PSN online ID. 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. If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained. While there is no evidence that credit card data was taken at this time, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, to be on the safe side we are advising that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may also have been obtained.
They dont have your CVV numbers.I have never been asked for mine when doing CC purchases on Sony and neither to my knowledge has anyone else.
nice try though
Soviet1918 on 29 Apr '11 said:
Yep +1 strange as it goes just got a £20 card from eBay for £16 so its cheaper as well,
all i got to do now is wait for PSN to go back up so i can put me code in.
timewarp1 on 29 Apr '11 said:
its not a try at anything dork . hence why i said unverified. maybe go read it youself ? im just reporting what was posted on google news in last hour when you search psn. talk about shoot the messenger. btw if sony doesnt keep my cvv number how come when i add funds it doesnt require it ? i couldnt care less tbh i cancelled my cards last week whe the network went down. but there may still be people that havent hence why i posted this. i guess lack of psn is making you angry monkey boy? i assume it is unverified as they want 100,000 for 2.2 milliob card details most of which wont work anymore anyway. and yes it probably is someone trying to scam credit card fraud sites but you never know.
timewarp1 on 29 Apr '11 said:
www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/1096 ... s-For-Sale
file it under bs if you want
yourmumwasfun on 29 Apr '11 said:
I think this is the best thing that could happened to psn.
Anyone remember cow's BSE epidemic? Everyone was saying that won't touch beef for the rest of his life.
Now, when shopping for a decent steak, you're looking for a british beef.
PSN will be stronger then ever now, not completely safe, but what is these days?
statix on 29 Apr '11 said:
I've been a loyal user of the PS3 for 4 or so years, and the system has served me well. The fact that my password and credit card may have been leaked is somewhat inconvenient, but I just changed my password on some other sites that used the same password, and I believe the credit card was expired. So it's all good now.
When PSN finally comes back online next week, I'll just jump back on and continue to play like nothing happened. Maybe from now on, I'll buy pre-paid PSN cards instead of entering my credit card information, but that's about the only thing that will change about my gaming habits and precautions. All will be forgotten.
I think the best thing for Sony to do for compensation is to offer all PS3 players 3 months of PSN+ Plus for free, and maybe a free PSN game or something. Then all will be forgotten, and it will be good advertising for its PSN+ Plus service also.
The Bossman on 29 Apr '11 said:
Of course I will. Too much has been made of this, like the equivalent of a war or something. Most of us cancelled our cards as a precaution, and most of the address details are fake anyway. Prepaid cards for sure now.
gmcb007 on 29 Apr '11 said:
No I won't go back to PSN. Not after coming home early to find her shagging the postman
timewarp1 on 29 Apr '11 said:
I would imagine Sony make more out of PSN cards than actual money, or resellers would not be able to sell for less than the actual worth. I mean how does the tax office tax Sony for prepaid cards? Its not money! The consumer paid the reseller already. Genius plan! We do it at work sometimes - you can have overtime as time and hald taxed, or vouchers not taxed. Win win
petrolhead on 29 Apr '11 said:
C&VG, you are pathetic.
How stupid are you to put out a headline like this?
All you are doing is looking to stir up flamewars.
Have you nothing else to report on?
You disgust me.
DoucheVader on 29 Apr '11 said:
Well I know this is wishful thinking but I do hope the sensationalism of the news goes down a notch when the PSN goes live.
Here are the facts --
FACT 1 -- CC Info was Encrypted, unless the hackers decrypt this info your info is likely safe (CC encryption is usually pretty robust).
FACT 2 -- If you feel your card is in jeopardy notify your bank or card issuer. You are only liable for a maximum of $50 for stolen cards, in this event you are likely not liable for anything (depending on your card), but as long as you contacted your bank when Sony made their announcement $50 should be the cap on your liability.
FACT 3 -- There is no fears of Identity theft, Sony never asked you for your Social Security Number. If anyone contacts you in any way regarding your Social, you never give that out anyways. Now its different when you call a company and they ask for it for ID, you just make sure you are calling the right place.
FACT 4 -- Using PSN cards while an additional layer of protection really isn't necessary. Credit Card companies have been dealing with fraud for years now. Using your card in a restaurant or a bar opens you up to more fraud than the PSN.
FACT 5 -- This breech has been well publicized any financial institution not looking out for things that may come from this are hiding their head in the sand, and you shouldn't be doing business with them.
FACT 6 -- It took 4 years for PSN to have a breech. XBL was not so lucky their were issues in 2008 and some people were reporting fraudulent charges. The fact that it took 4 years for hackers to do this is a testament to the Security Sony did have. Finding out about these holes will go a long way into further securing the network.
FACT 7 -- You should always be on the lookout for Phishing, the only route thee hackers really have to go to get info from you is Phishing. More often than not that's what these hackers are, they are just fooling people into willingly giving up credentials. Don't fall for it.
FACT 8 -- Hackers are dicks, they are anti social and their belief system is such that they feel no one should be charged for anything (if I gather this right). I am not sure if they are suggesting we go back to Barter and Trade (which opens up a WHOLE SLEW of economic inequities). In this day and age money is a currency that we trade our hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Money leads us to purchase items and own property. I can't think of a better expression of freedom than to own something. If Anon and Hackers don't get that, they don't get what freedom is all about.
I will use the PSN with my same Credit Card, I will do so fearlessly!
MattyR95 on 29 Apr '11 said:
Using PSN cards or deleting my info will do no good now anyway, the damage is done. I also doubt it'll be hacked again for a long time, Sony has hopefully learnt it's lesson.
nuggit3000 on 29 Apr '11 said:
I wont avoid PSN. Its unfortunate that this has happened, but it could have easily happened to any of the consoles online services. If I abbondonned PSN for Live, can anyone guarantee it will never happen on Live. No.
No moatter how annoy8ing it is, Sony have done the right thing by taking the network offline, while they investigate/repair the damage done by hackers.
I have recently started using pre-paid cards anyway, since I have discovered that they can be cheaper than using real money anyway, so will make sure that I dont put any card details on there again.
beaky09 on 29 Apr '11 said:
no i wont be going back because i never left in the first place .cvg you shud ov said are u going to stay with psn u fools cvg & im staying with psn because i will never give that dirty dog bill gates any ov my hard earned ££££££££s
liveswired on 29 Apr '11 said:
At the end of the day your always taking a risk.
atleast we'll finally see some much needed updates to PSN!
gramreaper666 on 29 Apr '11 said:
will I go back to PSN? HELL YEA
Debate Closed CVG! stop making hate among the gaming community, sony has had it bad from PS3 owners wanting money for nothing
Krakn3dfx on 30 Apr '11 said:
Of course I'll be back. I'll be plugging in updated credit card information on Day One and hopefully picking up a copy of Outland on the Playstation Store not too long afterwards.
timewarp1 on 30 Apr '11 said:
http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=13879
jack bauer will sort it out
MrRage on 30 Apr '11 said:
Go back? I haven't gone away from PSN, its just down!
Anyway I dont see a problem with it Sony just need to learn not to annoy the hackers so much. No system is 100% secure if they want to get you they probably will. Microsoft have been tageted by hackers since forever so are probably better at detecting it than Sony. Saying that, RSA a massive IT security company got hacked recently as well loosing a load of user data.
narratorjuan on 30 Apr '11 said:
I don't know about you guys, but today I've started receiving spam to the email account I used on PSN. It may just be coincidence but...
timewarp1 on 30 Apr '11 said:
http://www.gamingunion.net/news/sony-to ... -4861.html press conference tomorrow. Maybe. 2pm Japan time
TOKEN on 30 Apr '11 said:
IM saving at the moment for a ps3 and because its free online and has bluray,but my worry is titles or lack of them.
Barry316 on 30 Apr '11 said:
As others have said, i never left.
Shouldn't be a problem, the PS3 has the best and most diverse exclusives after all. And you say you already have a 360 and Wii so having the choice between all three you can't possibly lose.
timewarp1 on 30 Apr '11 said:
Dont worry about lack of titles! I have 4 games qued up on my shelf that I havent even got to play yet ! This year will be worse for games for me - loads of good ones and not enough time to play them!
timewarp1 on 1 May '11 said:
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/01/psn-o ... city-free/
http://blog.eu.playstation.com/ a press conference from Sony if there is anyone that this is news to
Janovilas on 1 May '11 said:
To be fair, the only people that aren't likely to go back are those with minimal investment in the PS3 - the people that either bought it just as a Bluray player (in which case they probably never went near PSN anyway) and the people that bought it and only bought a couple of games.
Who will jump ship and go over to XBL? Those that have no more than a couple of games and that are swayed by the sensationalist headlines in the tabloid press. Yes, this has been a seriously bad piece of PR and a major headache to PSN users, but to believe that Nintendo or Microsoft are safe from this type of thing is naive at best. They've merely been lucky not to have attracted the attention of the hacking community to the same degree (you could argue about the security of the data once the perimeter had been breached, but that's pretty much all hearsay and rumour - I have no idea how much is true nor how Sony compare to anyone else in this respect) - it's probably only a matter of time...
As an XBox user it was easy to be smug about the PSN outage for the first few days, until the real cause became apparent. Following the admissions from Sony regarding the true cause and then the extent of the hack, this became an issue facing fellow gamers rather than a little bit of an inconvenience that those of us unaffected through our choice of platform could poke fun at. XBL is great - but it's not immune to this sort of thing.
When PSN comes back, I hope that users do return - although I hope that they make use of the pre-paid cards to a greater extent and that Sony address any issues raised by the recognized security company that they engaged to help investigate the issue. And I hope that Sony recognise that something needs to be done to bridge the divide between their current corporate culture and that of their different target audiences - it is the perception of Sony's attitude that appears to have done them the most damage over the last few weeks & I believe that much of this stems from cultural differences rather than contempt for consumers...
timewarp1 on 1 May '11 said:
If you had tons of dlc and stuff purchased from the PSN store, why would you swap to xbox live and have to rebuy all your games, addons etc? I would say the people most likely to jump ship are those that hardly have anything on PSN, or millionaires
Padua on 1 May '11 said:
That's like saying will you go back to saving money after the banks failed
or
Will you go back to McDonalds after Mad Cow Disease.
Yes I am going back.
It is also a timely reminder for everyone everywhere to pay more attention to your credit card statements
Before PSN, big security lapses have often been in news!
Personally, I can thank PSN going down for encouraging me to finish Dead Space 1 and now almost Dead Space 2
So right now I am a very happy customer 
Both are fantastic games.
ricflair on 1 May '11 said:
Had I used a card, I wouldn't do that again, but I've no problem with going back to it and I only use cards on XBL because they're much cheaper than buying points direct from MS, and it's the same getting PSN cards from zavvi, shopto etc.
I'm sure Sony may miss out on a bit of revenue as people without credit on their PSN account might think twice about impulse purchases. Can you pay for PS+ with PSN credit or do you have to pay with a card? Because that might be effected I suppose.
Ali_ on 1 May '11 said:
Yes.
Next stupid and inflammatory question please.
GlynCR on 2 May '11 said:
yes
but not to use +, never been a + user i don't see the point in it
mcb2011 on 2 May '11 said:
i will definitely go back on to my beloved PS3. Only one more day to wait and what's great about it is i won't be paying 10p a day for my online experience.
gmcb007 on 2 May '11 said:
BreezySkells on 2 May '11 said:
that is a yes as i have all three consoles so no headache for me + i always buy the PS wallets
k3v1n on 2 May '11 said:
TBH I haven't missed the PSN access the now. The sun has been good and lots of girls out in their teeny weeny string bikini's. Its upsetting that our information may have been hacked, however its nearly summer!...get out in the sun and get a burd!
STEVONYMO on 3 May '11 said:
Yes I will go back on PSN...will I input my new debit card number...ermmm NO!
DavidVM on 4 May '11 said:
I don't think they should even turn it back on, look what America's achieved since it couldn't play CoD online anymore
.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 4 May '11 said:
Yes. Sony are even giving us a free months sub to psplus even though they could give us nothing they still want to reward our patience.
We basically get something for free for doing nothing. Can't say no to free stuff