Well, that was disappointing.Sony Corporation’s (ADR) (Public, NYSE:SNE) official statement has been the same statement they’ve made already: they shut down PlayStation Network because of a “malicious external intrusion” that occured between April 17 through 19.
What is known is that the following information could have been compromised:
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, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password 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 at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.
They once again state they don’t know if credit card info has been compromised. However, if the theory that rather than information theft, a credit card scam has been going on, then the previous information was meaningless. It could be used, however, in a phishing scam, so PSN users should be cautious about that.
The other information issued by Sony is that the shutdown could go on for a few more days, so either play PC online or Xbox Live games if you want to get your online multiplayer fix, or simply enjoy the warm Summer weather.
Jonah Falcon is a blogger for TMRzoo and GameStooge.com and covers all gaming consoles and platforms including Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft XBOX 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP and computer games designed for Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. Jonah provides his readers with reviews, previews and up to date gaming industry news and rumors.
