PSN Hacking/Return/Etc. Discussion ~ Do Not Make Anymore Threads
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+rep as soon as I can get to my computer.
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Happy to help, Alisa. I am an IT Security graduate but have studied some of the laws surrounding data breaches as well since the IT Security field requires you to be 1/3 geek, 1/3 lawyer, 1/3 businessman.
I agree Jade, we exist in the information age, unfortunately to run these services some information always needs to be stored and hackers will exploit that to their fullest advantage.
Not all of them are malicious, some just hack for fun or to learn more about the IT systems they love, but unfortunately, cyber crime has been on a steady upswing since it began to take off heavily in 2008, and things like this happen.
Happy to help, Alisa. I am an IT Security graduate but have studied some of the laws surrounding data breaches as well since the IT Security field requires you to be 1/3 geek, 1/3 lawyer, 1/3 businessman.
I agree Jade, we exist in the information age, unfortunately to run these services some information always needs to be stored and hackers will exploit that to their fullest advantage.
Not all of them are malicious, some just hack for fun or to learn more about the IT systems they love, but unfortunately, cyber crime has been on a steady upswing since it began to take off heavily in 2008, and things like this happen.
TerryMasters
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
It might not be a matter of grade level security, personally, based on my research of the situation I believe that Sony was just targeted. But that's not saying we should rule out them making a blunder of some kind - someone had mentioned that Sony stores credit card data in plaintext, this isn't an uncommon practice as every Android phone in the world stores it's passwords in plaintext and even then the credit card's security codes aren't stored at all so hackers would still have to brute force each card. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't be on guard about this, but I hate seeing people get upset about something that doesn't warrant getting worked up over (yet) as the situation isn't as bad as it's being made out to be. And the people who are ripping their hair out over this... it's not really their fault, there's just a lot of people who aren't informed of all the details which is why I like to come here and talk about it a little to calm some nerves and help everyone understand.
Like I said, unfortunately, I've had my identity stolen 7 times (short version: Citibank rep sold my personal info to other people). And as much as you'd think I'd be pissed about this I'm really not, nor am I going to switch to Xbox Live and I think that's with good reason: Forgive me if I've already mentioned this but the truth is, user accounts on Live get hacked on an almost daily basis - the reason they never make headlines is because they usually occur individually vs a large scale like what happened to Sony. The Xbox Live security setup might be even worse than what the PSN had which again, is why you still find modified Modern Warfare lobbies and aimbotters in Halo. People are talking about switching over, but I'm encouraging them not to because the last time Microsoft updated Live's security was 3 years ago, and I don't know if any of you guys follow this stuff but Stephen Toulouse who's basically the Xbox Live security admin just had his own account hacked a few weeks ago. So switching over to Xbox Live could arguably make things worse because we'd all be moving over to an even less secure platform than what Sony is going to use now, giving hackers a chance to get your personal information all over again. In my opinion it's just not worth it.
It'll be interesting to see how this whole thing develops.
It might not be a matter of grade level security, personally, based on my research of the situation I believe that Sony was just targeted. But that's not saying we should rule out them making a blunder of some kind - someone had mentioned that Sony stores credit card data in plaintext, this isn't an uncommon practice as every Android phone in the world stores it's passwords in plaintext and even then the credit card's security codes aren't stored at all so hackers would still have to brute force each card. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't be on guard about this, but I hate seeing people get upset about something that doesn't warrant getting worked up over (yet) as the situation isn't as bad as it's being made out to be. And the people who are ripping their hair out over this... it's not really their fault, there's just a lot of people who aren't informed of all the details which is why I like to come here and talk about it a little to calm some nerves and help everyone understand.
Like I said, unfortunately, I've had my identity stolen 7 times (short version: Citibank rep sold my personal info to other people). And as much as you'd think I'd be pissed about this I'm really not, nor am I going to switch to Xbox Live and I think that's with good reason: Forgive me if I've already mentioned this but the truth is, user accounts on Live get hacked on an almost daily basis - the reason they never make headlines is because they usually occur individually vs a large scale like what happened to Sony. The Xbox Live security setup might be even worse than what the PSN had which again, is why you still find modified Modern Warfare lobbies and aimbotters in Halo. People are talking about switching over, but I'm encouraging them not to because the last time Microsoft updated Live's security was 3 years ago, and I don't know if any of you guys follow this stuff but Stephen Toulouse who's basically the Xbox Live security admin just had his own account hacked a few weeks ago. So switching over to Xbox Live could arguably make things worse because we'd all be moving over to an even less secure platform than what Sony is going to use now, giving hackers a chance to get your personal information all over again. In my opinion it's just not worth it.
It'll be interesting to see how this whole thing develops.
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Well put Terry, it's best to play it cool for now and see what develops as more information becomes available, and I agree it's good to help clear things up so people can relax a bit and not worry constantly over this while details develop. Bummer on the Citibank thing, hopefully that rep was jailed.
Regarding the storage of plaintext credit card information, that most definitely violates PCI guidelines and would result in a ball busting for Sony *if* it's true. I have read those articles citing "The hacker" as a source, and they sound unreliable at best. Encryption happens at several different places in the chain, it was mentioned in those articles that 128 bit SSL encryption to the PSN network is used, that means the data is safe while it's in transmission.
Whether the data was encrypted once it is "At Rest" in the database after the transmission is an entire other story. I have not heard of any large corporation like Sony storing that information in plaintext for awhile now, due to the glaring security hole and PCI compliance violation it causes. Generally encrypting databases is not hard, so there would be little reason not to, but companies have been stupid in the past, so it's always a possibility. I highly doubt it however.
In regards to Xbox Live, it's a network the same as any other, subject to the same flaws and vulnerabilities. Switching one way or the other will not make a person any safer, I agree. Actually, most companies really go wild with security after a breach, so PSN may soon be the most secure lol.
Well put Terry, it's best to play it cool for now and see what develops as more information becomes available, and I agree it's good to help clear things up so people can relax a bit and not worry constantly over this while details develop. Bummer on the Citibank thing, hopefully that rep was jailed.
Regarding the storage of plaintext credit card information, that most definitely violates PCI guidelines and would result in a ball busting for Sony *if* it's true. I have read those articles citing "The hacker" as a source, and they sound unreliable at best. Encryption happens at several different places in the chain, it was mentioned in those articles that 128 bit SSL encryption to the PSN network is used, that means the data is safe while it's in transmission.
Whether the data was encrypted once it is "At Rest" in the database after the transmission is an entire other story. I have not heard of any large corporation like Sony storing that information in plaintext for awhile now, due to the glaring security hole and PCI compliance violation it causes. Generally encrypting databases is not hard, so there would be little reason not to, but companies have been stupid in the past, so it's always a possibility. I highly doubt it however.
In regards to Xbox Live, it's a network the same as any other, subject to the same flaws and vulnerabilities. Switching one way or the other will not make a person any safer, I agree. Actually, most companies really go wild with security after a breach, so PSN may soon be the most secure lol.
Glamador
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
I'm not so worried about my credit card info (because I don't think I have it linked to my PSN, I don't buy DLC). What I'm peeved about is my password being compromised. I use that password for most things...including this forum. All my "secure" passwords are different, naturally, but all the forums I belong to, some of my e-mail accounts, and others use some minor variation of it...
I'd be very sad to have to stop using it because of this.
I'm not so worried about my credit card info (because I don't think I have it linked to my PSN, I don't buy DLC). What I'm peeved about is my password being compromised. I use that password for most things...including this forum. All my "secure" passwords are different, naturally, but all the forums I belong to, some of my e-mail accounts, and others use some minor variation of it...
I'd be very sad to have to stop using it because of this.
MajorWeirdo
New member
Re: ...psn is STILL down?
That's all i'm doing right now...
I am a Story Mode <-> Challenge Tower hopper...
That's all i'm doing right now...
I am a Story Mode <-> Challenge Tower hopper... 
ToferBooboo
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
This is extremely terrifying for some people, I never really used anything on there besides PS Point cards, but I can just imagine how it is for some of yall.
I am really sorry, and this just sucks beyond anything else.
Please guys, be careful with whatever ends up happening afterwards. I wish that yall will be safe, along with yalls information.
This is extremely terrifying for some people, I never really used anything on there besides PS Point cards, but I can just imagine how it is for some of yall.
I am really sorry, and this just sucks beyond anything else.
Please guys, be careful with whatever ends up happening afterwards. I wish that yall will be safe, along with yalls information.
Ronster
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
It's about time they started ramping up security in a different way.... Banks should issue a dongle for people to use when paying for things cannot pay for anything online without the USB Dongle after you click pay for item you have a text message to confirm yes or no on your phone...
2 physical layers of security = Internet fraud is over **** the Hackers
The Video below contains bad language but it sums it all up for me the guy who runs the channel is a big MK fan also
It's about time they started ramping up security in a different way.... Banks should issue a dongle for people to use when paying for things cannot pay for anything online without the USB Dongle after you click pay for item you have a text message to confirm yes or no on your phone...
2 physical layers of security = Internet fraud is over **** the Hackers
The Video below contains bad language but it sums it all up for me the guy who runs the channel is a big MK fan also
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FlawlessVictor
New member
Re: Playstation Network (lighten the mood)
Okay, thanks for clearing it up. While I don't find the video particularly funny, I could understand the frustration.
I think he meant from the video; another thread was merged with this one, the one with Hitler talking about the PSN going down; that was what Aldo was laughing at tooNo harm meant.
Okay, thanks for clearing it up. While I don't find the video particularly funny, I could understand the frustration.
The 6host
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
I've seen him before, he's hard to watch. The way he acts makes me dislike him a lot. Crying on camera for youtube is, IMO, the worst way to make a point. I might agree with him but I'll never know because I can't stand to listen to him belly ache.
I've seen him before, he's hard to watch. The way he acts makes me dislike him a lot. Crying on camera for youtube is, IMO, the worst way to make a point. I might agree with him but I'll never know because I can't stand to listen to him belly ache.
Baraka_2060
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Sony is already being sued http://ps3.ign.com/articles/116/1164392p1.html#disqus_thread
Sony is already being sued http://ps3.ign.com/articles/116/1164392p1.html#disqus_thread
mkray41
Well-known member
TerryMasters
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Regardless of whether or not we're entitled to something about this mess, the lawsuit needed to happen if not solely for the release of information. A shame that 90% of the time these are the steps we have to take in order to get the whole story.
The reason I question whether or not we're entitled to something here is because last night I remembered those things none of us pay attention to called EULAs - and doing a quick search I believe both Xbox Live and the PSN had articles in place that waive their responsibility in situations like this (which adds fuel to the jumping-ship-might-not-be-the-best-idea fire). Of course, just because they stuck those articles there doesn't mean the corporations win. But again, this needed to happen.
Regardless of whether or not we're entitled to something about this mess, the lawsuit needed to happen if not solely for the release of information. A shame that 90% of the time these are the steps we have to take in order to get the whole story.
The reason I question whether or not we're entitled to something here is because last night I remembered those things none of us pay attention to called EULAs - and doing a quick search I believe both Xbox Live and the PSN had articles in place that waive their responsibility in situations like this (which adds fuel to the jumping-ship-might-not-be-the-best-idea fire). Of course, just because they stuck those articles there doesn't mean the corporations win. But again, this needed to happen.
Dez Decaydance
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Well this sucks to say the least but hey at least u all have Kratos in Mortal Kombat right???nahh im jokin.Are they refunding ppl money or anything(PSN+)?Hopefully everything will be fixed soon.So far this is looking awful.
Well this sucks to say the least but hey at least u all have Kratos in Mortal Kombat right???nahh im jokin.Are they refunding ppl money or anything(PSN+)?Hopefully everything will be fixed soon.So far this is looking awful.
Alisa
Team DCP Head Cheerleader
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
I miss PSN. Period.
i miss changing my PSN avatar everyday
I miss PSN. Period.
Young Mage
BANALITY
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
In all honesty, this is what i would have done:
In all honesty, this is what i would have done:
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Rain Rain Go Away!
New member
Re: PSN Downtime Discussion
Win! +rep
10Char
In all honesty, this is what i would have done:
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Win! +rep
10Char