Sony Hacked, AGAIN!!!

Sony had disabled the site intended to help users after a hacker attack in April, after finding more vulnerabilities. Undisclosed site is designed to help 77 million PlayStation Network users to reset their passwords. This issue represents a setback again for Sony, after a fierce attack of hackers who get into their network.

Dan Race, a spokesman for Sony, said that their companies find security holes on those sites that allow hackers to break through the user's personal data which they had previously stolen. "If I have your email and your birth date, then I can go into your account," said Race, giving the parable.

As a result of these findings, Sony on Wednesday had to temporarily turn off the password reset page PlayStation Network, as well Qriocity music service.

"Once repaired, we will immediately turn back the page," added Race.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government is still blocking PSN service in Japan to be restored, calling their explanations about their security measures “lacking” – a measure which angered many PSN users, but now looks increasingly justified.

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PSN is BACK

PlayStation Network is back. Nearly four weeks after a hacker attack forced Sony to turn off the PSN, Sony has announced that a phase of restoration per region for the PSN and Qriocity services, has begun.

This restoration phase will be carried out gradually between countries. Starting in America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. But Sony did not announce the exact date of the return of the PSN service in total.

A firmware update for the PS3 are also available. Despite looking like an update that is not useful, but Firmware 3.61 will force the owners PSN account to replace their passwords so they are back online for the first time.

"We strongly recommend to all PS3 owners to update their systems to prepare for the return of the PSN," said Eric Lempel, Sony's vice president of Network Entertainment. "The release of this update is necessary in our efforts to make PSN more secure."

Password player can only be replaced on his PS3 or the PS3 in which he activate his PSN account. If he uses another PS3, an email will be sent to their email address.

"The email will provide a link that allows players to change their password," said Lempel. "At the email, the player can just click the link and follow all the prompts to change the password. After the password change, he will be able to sign in using the new password."

In addition to news about the return of the PSN, Sony Online Entertainment has also revived their servers. Sony stated that they have increased their security systems.

"Sony has made various improvements in data security, including the addition of advanced security technology, additional monitoring software and test the vulnerability, and increasing the level encripsi and additional firewalls,"said a Sony representative. "Sony also has added a variety of things on the network infrastructure including an early warning system to track suspicious activity that could damage the tissue."

Sony hopes the PSN service can operate in total at the end of May 2011.

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Sony : Now PSN is on the Final Stage Testing

As would be expected, Sony's PlayStation Network is still offline. But a spokesman for the PlayStation maker says the team responsible for reviving online play and other network services to the PlayStation 3 and PSP has reached "an important step towards restoring" online functionality.

"Today our global network and security teams at Sony Network Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment began the final stages of internal testing of the new system". Sony Computer Entertainment America's Patrick Seybold calls it " an important step towards restoring PlayStation Network and Qriocity services."

"As previously mentioned, we've been working around the clock to rebuild the network and enhance protections of your personal data," Seybold writes. "It's our top priority to ensure your data is safe when you begin using the services again."

Sony also specified its plans to offer complimentary identity theft protection services to PlayStation Network and Qriocity account holders. In the United States, Sony plans to offer identity protection firm Debix, Inc.'s "AllClear ID Plus" free to PlayStation Network and Qriocity account holders for 12 months from the time an account holder registers for the program.

Debix has launched a preliminary landing page for Sony customers, which also lays out AllClear ID Plus services.

Sony says it will begin sending activation e-mails to its customers in the coming days. Similar plans for other territories will be announced soon, the company says. More details on Sony's identity theft protection plans right here.

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PSN got FBI Attention

The leaking of 77 million PSN account has attracted the attention of The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FBI. The personal data that may have fallen into the hands of hackers are likely also will expose other external data, such as business and financial information, and government institutions information.

As reported earlier that Sony states that the possibility of user data such as name, address, date of birth, email address, login name and password may have been leaked because these data are not encrypted in the PSN network itself. Even so the Sony states that the Credit Card data is stored encrypted, and there is no evidence that these data has leaked, but of course it does not make things better.

Good news for users of the PSN is that Friends Lists and PlayStation Trophies are expected to remain intact when the service return.

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About 2.2M PSN Member's Credit Card Information up for Sale

According to Kevin Stevens, an online security expert with TrendMicro, "low-level cybercriminals" are currently shopping around lists supposedly containing the credit card details of 2.2 million PlayStation Network members.

While Sony says it has "no evidence credit card numbers were stolen" in the attacks on the PlayStation Network, it has still recommended people make necessary precautions regarding their cards and bank accounts.

Stevens says the details are up for sale on the illegal forums of "carders" (people engaged in credit card fraud), and while he does not link these forums directly, says the sellers are claiming to be in possession of card holder's names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth and, perhaps most importantly, full credit card details, including their CVV2 numbers (those little numbers on the back of the card).

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