Sony networks back online today after major security lapse - NZ one of first
Phased restorationi of Sony PlayStation Network, Sony Online Entertainment Networks begins.
A month to the day after it was struck by a hacker attack, Sony has begun the "phased restoration" of its PlayStation Network (PSN) - including music and movie download services - starting with Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
The company said it has also begun the "phased restoration" of its Sony Online Entertainment network, which hosts the popular PC multiplayer game Everquest, plus a series of Facebook games.
Sony has not set a day-by-day timetable for the restoration of service, but has said it wilil be complete by May 31.
In a statement, the company said both networks were coming back online with "increased security measures" including "additional software monitoring, performing new penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption."
PSN and Sony Online Entertainment are offering free downloads as part of "Welcome Back" promotions.
Sony has missed its self-imposed deadline to get its PlayStation Network, which has 77 miilion uers, back up in a week - a promise made on May 1.
The company won't give a specific week or day to get the service back online, but says it will do so by May 31.
The PlayStation Network has now been offline for three weeks following a cyber attack by hacker on April 17/18.
A second Sony network - Sony Entertainment Online, which has 24.6 million users and hosts Facebook games and the popular online PC multiplayer game Everquest - also remains offline. It was shut down after a May 3 security breach.
Second Sony network hacked, details of 12,700 credit cards stolen
MAY 3: Sony's San Diego subsidiary Sony Online Entertainment shut down its network this morning following a major security breach by hackers.
After the April 17/April 18 hacker attack on the separate Sony PlayStation Network (which is still offline) and its 77 million customers, Sony said it was unsure if credit card details were stolen.
With the new attack, however, the company said it could confirm that details for 12,700 credit cards was stolen.
Sony is still accessing to what degree other personal details of Sony Online Entertainment network users were compromised.
The San Diego-based network hosts Sony's popular PC-based multiplayer online game EverQuest, which has millions of monthly subscribers worldwide, including New Zealand.
Sony Online Entertainment's Facebook games have also been taken offline.
ABOVE: The message meeting visitors to Sony's EverQuest site (click to zoom).
Sony said in a statement that all of the 12,700 stolen credit details were for customers outside the US.
Although the two networks are separate, Sony believes the same group is responsible for both attacks.
The PlayStation network's gaming features are due to come back online this week, though there is no specific timetable.
Movie and music download services will be brought back online by "mid May".
NBR staff
Mon, 16 May 2011
Mon, 16 May 2011
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Sony networks back online today after major security lapse - NZ one of first
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