Major security vulnerability discovered for PlayStation Network, lock up your PS3s
Details are still sparse (and primarily in Japanese), but our Tokyo bureau just let us know that Sony's announced a fairly severe security vulnerability on the PlayStation Network, which would actually allow an attacker to access your account, personal information, and Wallet -- but not your credit card on file -- as well as change your password. Damn. More on this as it develops; in the mean time, keep a close eye on that account.Update: More information is on the US PS3 site. Apparently the issue has been resolved and "security is restored." Thanks, luckydude76.


















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
August Larson @ Mar 27th 2008 1:00AM
viruses for ps3 coming soon?
ethana2 @ Mar 27th 2008 3:42AM
http://psubuntu.com/
Heh. Let them come.
Kurian @ Mar 27th 2008 8:18AM
No, the PS3 can not run native unsigned code in game mode, so no viruses.
In OtherOS mode it is no different from a PC being attacked by viruses.
squishh5150 @ Mar 27th 2008 1:00AM
They can't get home out on time and they left a huge hole in the PSN?
Jamesology @ Mar 27th 2008 1:06AM
It's not a hole its hackers making a way. That is why they create updates for Firewalls; make sense yet?
Also, most software now-a-days are not coming out on time. I mean look at SMB: Brawl and it still sucks. I had to play SMB on GC just to keep myself from throwing the Wii against the wall.
rhogan @ Mar 27th 2008 1:17AM
So when someone makes a virus for windows it's not a "hole" because they have service packs right? lol..
andres @ Mar 27th 2008 1:34AM
@jamesology
firewalls update to patch the holes that hackers enter through. they dont make the hole, they just enter.
xiln @ Mar 27th 2008 1:50AM
@andres
Really? So exploits are triggered by them self? Do you actually know what you are talking about?
Jamesology @ Mar 27th 2008 2:05AM
@andres
If we can just enter, then why do I have to change or modify scripts?
andres @ Mar 27th 2008 2:30AM
perahaps i said it in a weird way, i meant that the patches fix the holes that hackers exploit to gain access, and hackers use the flaws that are there, they dont create the flaws, although there were 2 responses so for all i know ive made a mistake
comscier @ Mar 27th 2008 12:12PM
exploits, usually cuz of memory leak...
3 block... filled them up with 6, leave 3... the extra 3 block(leaked memory) possible for execution. (Its a lot more complicated, but thats the thoery)
Jamesology @ Mar 27th 2008 1:01AM
WOW this sucks, well at least it keeps my credit card file untouched, but for how long?
Alex Padilla @ Mar 27th 2008 1:04AM
lol, I like the graphic
andres @ Mar 27th 2008 1:36AM
in soviet russia, graphic likes you
Homeboy @ Mar 27th 2008 6:29AM
It's a funny picture but sadly Ryan has spellt it PAWNED rather than PWND. He'$ n0t 1337 n iZnt tejking tHa haXX0r comunite zEEEri0zly.
Jamesology @ Mar 27th 2008 1:08AM
This is a calling for like anti-Sony losers. Mostly Nintendo fanboys b/c MS games last longer.
jbhitter24 @ Mar 27th 2008 1:13AM
:'(
luckydude76 @ Mar 27th 2008 1:15AM
Looks like the Playstation site has more details:
http://www.us.playstation.com/News/ConsumerAlerts
Longhorn @ Mar 27th 2008 1:16AM
Uh-oh. And yeah the graphic is killer :D
Adam H @ Mar 27th 2008 1:17AM
That's why you get an Xbox 360 and all will be well.
PS3 = PWNED.
Chebwa @ Mar 27th 2008 1:23AM
You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=131
HatManTC @ Mar 27th 2008 1:28AM
if i do remember correctly. the 360 got hacked recently too. so this isnt a Sony only problem.
spook4thecia @ Mar 27th 2008 1:29AM
And it starts. Here come the Microsoft fanboys/sellouts. Rather have a PS3 with a soon to be PATCHED security hole than a red ring of DEATH.
YOU=PWNED.
Andrew @ Mar 27th 2008 1:56AM
@spook4thecia - Now who's the fanboy/sellout?
rip @ Mar 27th 2008 2:18AM
Perhaps. Of course, you have to send the 360 in for service every 6 months from rrod or disc errors.
Then again, the RROD is a pretty awesome firewall.
CB17 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:24AM
@Chebwa
Did you even read the article? The Xbox 360 itself wasn't hacked. It was people getting XBL CSRs to give out personal information.
Chebwa @ Mar 27th 2008 2:47AM
@CB17
The original comment implied that switching to the 360 was the cure to console security problems. That isn't the case. I never said that the security breaches were the same.
guerilla779 @ Mar 27th 2008 5:04AM
when the attack comes from the inside (RRoD) you dont need to attack from the outside .
simple war plan :)
Seminole @ Mar 27th 2008 12:50PM
Be gone you fanboy.
Bizzell @ Mar 27th 2008 1:30AM
Love the picture. Priceless!
nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 1:35AM
Zonelabs Zonealarm for PS3
(on the way)
David @ Mar 27th 2008 1:38AM
Soon the skynet-1.0 program will execute from within the cell processors and judgment day will arrive. DUNDUNDUN DUNDUN
kyle allen @ Mar 27th 2008 1:40AM
just one more reason why n64 is the best system ever :)
andres @ Mar 27th 2008 1:45AM
agreed
Andrew @ Mar 27th 2008 1:58AM
Also agreed. :)
Jamesology @ Mar 27th 2008 2:00AM
Though I still love my PS3. But I believe my Super NES is the best system ever. NOTHING beats Super Mario Brothers World. That like when Mario turn into Super Saijen with the Cape! The birth of the random yellow cape.
Ant @ Mar 27th 2008 2:35AM
WRONG
snes is not spelled n64 sir.
ethana2 @ Mar 27th 2008 3:43AM
zsnes FTW
LiqwidZero @ Mar 27th 2008 8:19AM
Atari Jaguar
Not a lot of people had/have one.
Those that do are safe as a peanut butter on a shark's butt.
manimal @ Mar 27th 2008 1:41AM
Not surprising, hackers will hack.. I think its good (but yet very bad), since that means now the new hole can be fixed.. it just sucks that accounts got violated in the process.
Good thing I didn't have any important info in the network to risk (just got mine the other week)
logyk @ Mar 27th 2008 1:44AM
it's a great day for Xbox fanboys everywhere, unless they just red-ringed.
but seriously though this is risk with having a somewhat "open" policy and inviting people to install Linux on your console... I still want one though, i just wont be putting my credit card info in any time soon.
spaceb @ Mar 27th 2008 1:50AM
ColecoVision FTW!
Matt @ Mar 27th 2008 2:07AM
glad I didn't get a PS3 yet. sucks for some owners. enough said
Denden @ Mar 27th 2008 2:08AM
Who's to say they won't follow suit and try to hack into the 360 community too... Scary world, when all we are trying to do is play some games and we have to worry about these issues
TecK @ Mar 27th 2008 2:15AM
When it comes to sony and online play and security, you get what you pay for... wait, you don't pay...
Chino B @ Mar 27th 2008 2:37AM
Your funny play your god damn Xbox 360, oh wait RROD? wait for 4 weeks son.
amart @ Mar 27th 2008 3:04AM
Uhh actually he is right, you don't pay so why the oh-so-fresh rrod comment?
After seeing it 6 times before you, its quite sad actually.
Just enjoy the games you play and let others enjoy their own!
Morgan Percy @ Mar 27th 2008 2:15AM
The only secure computer is one not hooked up to the internet, sad but true.
michas_pi @ Mar 27th 2008 2:26AM
Well excuuuuuuuuuse me, but the CD-i is obviously the best.
spaceb @ Mar 27th 2008 2:39AM
Hey, I don't care as long as attackers don't mess up with my pr0n collection.