Playstation Network is a Joke!

Sony will be holding a press-conference tomorrow to discuss the matter whilst the US Congress has now got involved and wants answers from Sony.
 
On 1 May 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 programme to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.

Following a criminal cyber attack on the company's data centre located in San Diego, California, USA, SNEI quickly turned off 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 PlayStation Network and Qriocity services.

With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased roll-out by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the roll-out will include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Restoration of online gameplay across PlayStation 3 and PSP systems, including titles requiring online verification and downloaded games.
  • Access to Q Music Unlimited for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers.
  • Access to account management and password reset.
  • Access to download unexpired movie rentals on PS3, PSP and Media Go.
  • 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 to 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 centre 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 ongoing 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," said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. "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. 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 programme 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 Programme

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 programmes. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.

The company will also roll out the PlayStation Network and Qriocity "Welcome Back" programme, 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" programme 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.
  • Q Music Unlimited 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.
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PlayStation-Network-Restoration-Update

Looks like they are doing their bit to try and win back the hearts and minds. Playstation Plus free for a month is nice and some free goodies to be named later.
 
yep we need lots of free stuff now for this inconvenience
 
The 30 days free PSN+, does that mean anything downloaded for free in that period will expire unless you sign up to the service??

They should implement cloud saves for every PSN user & give us something free (eg. 1 free download from PSN game store or video store)
 
ha_rooney said:
The 30 days free PSN+, does that mean anything downloaded for free in that period will expire unless you sign up to the service??

They should implement cloud saves for every PSN user & give us something free (eg. 1 free download from PSN game store or video store)
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But isn't that feck all to compensate users with?

Playstation plus has just a few demos more than the normal Playstation store right?
 
I'm not that arsed about compensation, it wasn't their fault some geeks decided to hack it, and they've done everything since then to make it as secure as possible, considering the issues with congress wanting answers etc this is annoying but justified. I just want it to come back up again so I can shoot people.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
But isn't that feck all to compensate users with?

Playstation plus has just a few demos more than the normal Playstation store right?
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Discounts, couple of freebies & I think early beta & demo access. Imo PSN+ is a pile of shit, offers very little for your money.
 
Your lucky you got anything at all, I ain't complaining about some free shit just because I lost a few days of online play.
 
Zarlak said:
I'm not that arsed about compensation, it wasn't their fault some geeks decided to hack it, and they've done everything since then to make it as secure as possible, considering the issues with congress wanting answers etc this is annoying but justified. I just want it to come back up again so I can shoot people.
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Amen-Brother.jpg
 
Zarlak said:
I'm not that arsed about compensation, it wasn't their fault some geeks decided to hack it, and they've done everything since then to make it as secure as possible, considering the issues with congress wanting answers etc this is annoying but justified. I just want it to come back up again so I can shoot people.
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Personally I think it's more to do with the fact that Sony deliberately witheld what had happened for several days as a pure face saving exercise than not being able to play online for a few days.
 
So with some luck the PSN might be back up today. Will not have the Store back online till the end of the month apparently.

Means I/UK players cant do things like redeem online pass for Mortal Kombat and therefore wont be able to use the online anyway. A major blow for Netherrealm among others I'm sure
 
I went onto a Playstation forum that I used to talk to a friend on, and on there some members are comparing people being annoyed at Sony with dumping a raped girlfriend :lol: Also some people are "close to tears" when they see people criticising Sony :wenger:
 
Olly said:
I went onto a Playstation forum that I used to talk to a friend on, and on there some members are comparing people being annoyed at Sony with dumping a raped girlfriend :lol: Also some people are "close to tears" when they see people criticising Sony :wenger:
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:lol:
 
You have found Weaste's hideout.

Sucks about the store, this might effect LA Noire DLC if we can't access the store.
 
It absolutely will. Might be on the disc, but it'll need a key like MK's dlc. At least you wont have to wait as long to use it
 
More trouble for Sony:

SOE confirms 24.6 million accounts compromised

And the nightmare continues. Following up from this morning's server outages, Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed that the information of 24.6 million SOE user accounts could have been stolen.

"Personal information from approximately 24.6 million SOE accounts may have been stolen, as well as certain information from an outdated database from 2007," says an SOE announcement.

It adds: "The information from the outdated database that may have been stolen includes approximately 12,700 non-U.S. credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes), and about 10,700 direct debit records of certain customers in Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.

Account details leaked include name, address, e-mail address, birthdate, gender, phone number, login name and hashed password. However, from the 10,700 Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain accounts stolen, hackers could have also accessed their bank account number, customer name, account name and customer address.

"Upon discovery of this additional information, the company promptly shut down all servers related to SOE services while continuing to review and upgrade all of its online security systems in the face of these unprecedented cyber-attacks," said SOE.

It says emails will be sent to all whose details may have been stolen, and users will receive compensation in the form of play time for the server outages.

"SOE will grant customers 30 days of additional time on their subscriptions, in addition to compensating them one day for each day the system is down," it said. It is also in the process of outlining a "make good" plan for its PS3 MMOs (DC Universe Online and Free Realms).
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Anyone with PS+ can tell us what free games are there for download when PSN is up to speed again? :D
 
The free games will expire though once the 30 days is up , discounted games won't though
 
So am I right in thinking a week or two later they still have no idea who had access, what they had access to, and for how long?

fecking hell :lol:
 
LEAVE SONY ALOOOOOOOOOOOONE

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when do we get our free stuff weaste?
 
Weaste how do you plan on winning back the loyalty of PSN users?
 
Eh seems that was a windup :nervous:. Not sure why Weaste is using Japan to troll the PSN users, I think thats well out of order
 
weaste why did you bring japan online before everyone else? not fair! thats racist!!
 
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