Sony Offline Entertainment (Hacking of PSN and SOE)

[Ragnell]

http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comme...ecom_the_real/

Ok, I've seen a bunch of speculation of why people think PSN is down, and I thought I should just post what the community knows in comparison to what Sony is telling everyone. The truth is, there was a new CFW (custom firmware) released known as Rebug (http://rebug.me). It essentially turns a retail console into a dev console (not fully, but gives you a lot of the same options that usually dev's only have access to). Anyway, this new CFW was quickly figured out to give CFW users access to the PSN network again via the dev networks. With a little manipulation of the URL's through a proxy server you could get your hacked console back online. Not that big of a deal, right? Well, it also turns out that some people over at NGU found out that you could provide fake CC# info and the authenticity of the information was never checked as you were on Sony's private developer PSN network (essentially a network that Sony trusted). What happened next was extreme piracy of PSN content. Sony realizing the issue here shut down the network. Now, before you go freaking out about the latest information posted about Kotaku, no ones personal information was accessible via this hack. Not to say they couldn't get it, but no one is admitting to it being available. Anyway, that's the real reason for the PSN downtime. Sony is now rebuilding all of it's PSN servers to be more secure and (hopefully) make sure the CFW users cannot get online anymore.

Edit #1: To those of you saying that this is speculation, you are correct. But, it is speculation based on a lot of facts and the outcome seems to make the most sense.
1. Rebug was released on 3/31/11.
2. First guides of how to use the dev network to get back on COD games on 4/3/11. 3. Word of "shady" sites finding a way to pirate PSN content via the dev networks on 4/7/11 (basing this on posts I had to delete on the website). 4. PSN goes down on 4/20/11

Now, you can believe Sony's PR team which has kept you completely in the dark, or you can see the list of events above and come to your own conclusion. Now, this isn't the first time Sony has fought back against the PS3 modders from getting on PSN. A couple of months ago we had a utility called f*ckPSN that changed the necessary header information that was being sent to Sony to allow modified consoles back online. We were able to use it for about a month. Then came the new TOS, the mass e-mail to PS3 customers, and software update 3.56 and 3.60. So, once again, yes this is all speculation, but it is speculation based on previous actions and known facts.

Edit #2: Mathieulh just mentioned that he has been in contact with someone that has official access to the SCE devnet servers and it was posted to them today that only 3.60+ debug firmwares will be allowed on the dev network anymore. All earlier versions will be cut. If you want to retain your access you need to contact Sony and upgrade to 3.60 debug firmware.

Take it how you want

[*Shinzon*]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to assume that they're announcing CC information could of been compromised to cover up for an unrelated piracy attack. Though everything else is interesting though I'd heard nothing about it until now so. Again if you're acknowledging the system was hacked there's a good chance some opportunist decided to go after card information too. Anyway guess we'll see what happens.

[Ragnell]

I do remember hearing about CC info is not encrypted on PSN, could be true

[*Shinzon*]

Cross posted from Kotaku, still no confirmation on whether or not CC information was secure or not. Basically a giant summary of stuff:

t only does offline
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Everything You Need To Know About The Playstation Network Outage

Mike Epstein — Everything You Need To Know About The Playstation Network Outage It has been almost a week since Playstation Network went offline because of an external intrusion.

Since Sony's still relatively quiet on the details of what happened and how it will impact us. How long until we can play Portal 2 online, fatalize our buddy on the other side of the country in Mortal Kombat? Is my credit card info safe? Will I keep whatever offline trophies I earn?

You, we, everyone wants answers. Well, we've got 'em. Some of them, anyways. Before you go nuts, yell at your fellow forum-goers and throw out your machine, let us answer some of your basic PSN outage related questions.

Drop more in here and we'll see what we can do to get to the bottom of them for you.
The BIG PSN Outage FAQ

How long has PSN been down?
The system went down last Wednesday, April 20th. (That's six days if you're keeping score.)

When will it be back?
No one really knows, not even Sony. Current rumors suggest that PSN may be going back online in Japan today (4/25), with the US and Europe coming back tomorrow. (4/26)

Can I play games without going online, either by myself or with a friend locally?
Absolutely. Almost every PS3 game, whether it's played via disc or download, will work so long as you're using a mode that doesn't require PSN access. (That's internet multiplayer, mostly.) There is a small exception to this, which I'll explain a little later.

What about using a LAN?
Sure, a setting up a little LAN party would be a great alternative. The only problem is that the selection of LAN-capable PS3 games is pretty limited.

Is Anonymous responsible?
Probably not. The group has publicly denied their involvement, and there has been no definitive proof to say otherwise.

So why are they being arrested?
They aren't. The rumor is based on an old press release from January.

If the network was hacked, should I be worried that someone is stealing my credit card number?
Sony has said that they are investigating whether or not any credit information was stolen. As of now, they haven't said anything about the status of that investigation. So far there have been no credible reports of identity theft connected to the shutdown.

Some games use digital rights management to prevent piracy. Will that effect my ability to play?
As of now, the only games that we know to be affected are a pair of Capcom downloadable games, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 and the Final Fight/Magic Sword game pack.

So I can't play any games online or use PSN. Can I still use non-game PSN apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc?
Nope. No game modes, apps or DLC connected to either PSN or Qriocity are currently available.

UPDATE: As you can tell from the comments section, we are getting conflicting reports on whether or not Netflix is actually working at the moment. Many commenters and forum-goers have claimed that they've been using Netflix for days, often noting that the service doesn't always connect right away, but starts up on the second or third try.

What about features like the browser, which use the internet, but aren't connected to PSN?
Users have reported via forums that the PS3 browser still works.

Can I still get system updates?
The system update feature is not connected to PSN and is therefore functional. (Ever notice that you have to sign out of PSN to download an update?) Users can still also download system updates via the Playstation website.

Is there a chance my trophies could get wiped?
Trophies will not update as long as PSN is down, but since most of them are not internet-based, it's likely (but not definite) that the trophies that you earn during the shutdown will be added to your account when it updates once PSN is back online. If you were to delete your account or if your console were to crash, however, you would definitely lose any trophies earned while PSN is down. Currently, it is not possible to check trophies via the Playstation website.

Will I lose my saved game data?
Not likely, your saved game data is stored on your hard drive, and therefore should not be effected by outage.

Am I more likely to lose my data if I've been using the cloud storage feature of
Playstation Plus?
No. While you definitely aren't able to update any data you've saved in the cloud, the cloud data is technically a copy of whatever was saved from your machine, so even if the back-up data was lost your save would still be in tact on the machine where it was originally recorded.

[Dmitry]

I wish this would be done with soon so I can check what stuff is free for PS+ an then waste time looking at random stuff on the store again

[Vandole]

http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/1..._3Fw2MnJ-L.jpg

[6souls]

you were beaten 16 posts ago, Vandole.

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/103...=1#post4560445

[Plow]

so, who the fuck can make a public claim that anonymous is not responsible for something?

[BadKarma]

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/04/25/22402/


Dont know if real, and dont know if posted, but if it is real, consider me salty and humping my xbox like the dirty tramp it is.

By Ian Sherr

Internet gamers were frustrated last week when Sony shut down its PlayStation Network. Now, they might have reason to be worried.

REUTERS
Sony said on Monday that it is keeping its PlayStation Network videogame service offline indefinitely.

On Monday, the Japanese electronics giant said it is keeping its PlayStation Network videogame service offline indefinitely following a hacking attack it now says may have compromised user’s information.

To ensure the network’s integrity, Sony said it is currently rebuilding the service, which connects more than 75 million PlayStation customers over the Internet, letting them play videogames and chat together. “This is a time intensive process and we’re working to get them back online quickly,” Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold said in a blog post.

Sony is still investigating the “external intrusion” that forced the electronics giant to shut down its network last Wednesday. In an email, the company also said it is also trying to figure out if any personal information, such as credit card numbers, may have been compromised in the attack.

Last week’s outage came at a particularly bad time for the videogame giant. Many of its teenage customers were hoping to virtually punch, kick and choke each other in new videogames, including Warner Bros. Entertainment’s Mortal Kombat, over the three-day Eastern weekend.

Instead, many of them griped on Facebook, Twitter and even the Digits Blog. Many of the upset gamers said they wanted more transparency from Sony as the process of rebuilding its service continues. Others threatened to switch sides, as it were, and join Microsoft’s Xbox Live service, which largely offers the same features as the PlayStation Network.

Not all gamers were distraught and some said the furor was over the top. “You would have thought the world had just ended,” Matt, a commenter on the Digits blog, wrote.

[Plow]

You don't know if what's real?

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/25/psn-update/

^ that?

Or are you just trying to xboxfag up the thread? Console wars thread is in gaming.

[AoE]

That post is being thrown around Facebook so I see where he's coming from. Relax, bro.

[BadKarma]

You don't know if what's real?

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/04/25/psn-update/

^ that?

Or are you just trying to xboxfag up the thread? Console wars thread is in gaming.

You are all types of mad.

I have a Ps3.

[Takedown3]

You are all types of mad.

no kidding, must be sad about no superior network to play those dozens of exclusives on.

[Ragnell]

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/116/1163826p1.html


but Yea, I'm pretty happy I never put my credit info on PSN let alone bought anything from PSN

[Insanecyclone]

no kidding, must be sad about no superior network to play those dozens of exclusives on.

[Kuya]

PC is never part of the debate. Everyone should have a pc regardless of whether there's a ps3 or an xbox.

[Ragnell]

>mfw when I own them all

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/871...5675450041.png

[Chun Liroy]

How did it take 7 pages to get to this point.

[Headspace]

Can you consoles stop fucking up this thread with your console wars bullshit.

herpderpihaveallsystems.

nigga idgaf

post news/response that isn't "oh man glad i have my 360"

[Ragnell]

lol you consoles