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Credit Card Companies: No Evidence Of Stolen PSN Data

After a week of terrible news, there appears to be one bright spot for Sony.

According to a Bloomberg report , several credit card companies (MasterCard, American Express, and Wells Fargo) have seen "no unauthorized activity relating to Sony." Maybe this isn't surprising, though, as Sony just recently said that all PSN credit card information was encrypted at the time of the security breach. They also maintain there's no evidence that critical personal data had been stolen.

But when you're a big boss in a corporation that's under the microscope, everyone is going to analyze how you handle things. And such is the case with Sony's Kaz Hirai, who has been a big proponent of the PSN and intends to let the Network stretch to other electronic devices, like HDTVs and Blu-Ray players. If he can deal with this new problem, perhaps he'll succeed Sony Corp. CEO Sir Howard Stringer, who offered the following statement:

"This is an opportunity for the board to watch Hirai-san and judge his performance."

Good luck, Kaz.

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Zemus101
Zemus101
12 years ago

Yes, good luck indeed. I really hope we can bounce back from this. I've always been a Playstation supporter, for more than 15 years now, and right now I'm a little more hush hush than I usually am about playing on PSN and PS3. No matter where you post or who you talk to, everyone seems to know about this crazyness 😛

Or at least… they like to 'think' they know what's going on.


Last edited by Zemus101 on 4/28/2011 9:36:31 PM

Killa Tequilla
Killa Tequilla
12 years ago

People are just complaing for no reason. It's clear that the worst case scenario here is PSN shut down for 8 days now.

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

Well, not for no reason. The bombardment of the "sky is falling" headlines from the so called "gaming journalists" didn't exactly help keep PSN users calm. They ripped Sony to shreds without knowing the full extent of what happened. It was a disgusting display of journalistic bias and malpractice in my opinion. I have never seen so many decietful headlines in such a short spam of time.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
12 years ago

What do you mean people are complaining for now reason? I was robbed of $100 on my credit card thanks to this whole PSN fiasco.

MyWorstNightmar
MyWorstNightmar
12 years ago

LittleBigMidget, are you then disputing this articles claims? Explain what happened?

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

Yea, I think your missing $100 is most likely a coincidence. There was another huge data breach not that long ago that affected several companies that store sensitive data. I can't remember the company that was attacked but BikerSaint linked to it multiple times in other articles.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Sony says you weren't Mr. Midget. Soooo…. maybe you should check out that grizzled cashier who looked at your credit card number a tad longer than he should have.

shadowscorpio
shadowscorpio
12 years ago

@ jawknee

People have been looking for any reason to criticize Sony this entire game gen so far. Why doesn't this sort of thing surprise me?

jaybiv
jaybiv
12 years ago

I hope Sony learned and their Japanese compatriots get it through their thick skulls that the hush hush approach to handling a scandal is not a good strategy. I love Sony products, but they knew the extent of the intrusion way sooner than what they want us to believe. No one can get into sensitive data areas undetected. There is always a footprint.

Several years ago Bridgestone tried to put the blame on their faulty tires on the Ford Explorer. Just a couple of years ago, the U.S. Government had to nearly break Toyota's arm to issue a recall.

American companies aren't saints when it comes to this either, but they know they have to come forward quicker.

I do hope Sony can rebound from this and keep their momentum going.


Last edited by jaybiv on 4/29/2011 3:10:35 AM

Underdog15
Underdog15
12 years ago

@jaybiv

They were anything but "hush hush". And with this news, it's clear they told us more than they needed to.

Additionally, if you want to talk "malpractice", you should probably know that when the authorities are involved in a legal investigation, it's "malpractice" to tell everyone what they've discovered before the case is closed.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

So, Jaybiv, have you always been this nice about the Japanese? I mean characterizing them as having thick skulls, xenophobe much?

As for there being a footprint and Sony knowing the extent of the intrusion. Perhaps you don't know the implications of Admin accounts being compromised? They can turn off helpful things like logging and audit trails, and can delete files that otherwise might indicate what they've been doing. In fact, in many cases, if an intruder gets in and back out again, the only sign of the intrusion is when the data turns up later for sale somewhere else. Ah, but then that's one of those inconvenient facts that destroys your point.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

Jawknee

<<<< short spam of time>>>>

That play on words was pure poetic genius!

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

Jawknee & LittleBigMidget

That would be the "Epsilon" breach in March.

They do all the marketing & communications work for most of the major company's & retailers.

Both, both Abe Books in the UK, & Verizon here both wound up sending me warning alert emails to keep an eye on any & all of my accounts because of the Epsilon hacking breach.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

jayvid

<<<<American companies aren't saints when it comes to this either, but they know they have to come forward quicker.>>>>

Hey, stop using my name in vain…..

"OR I'M SUING!!!!

LMAO

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

FYI, the PSN breach is actually just "small potatoes" as far a breaches go.

They hackers in the "Epsilon breach", were able to harvest "40 billion emails", & that was only done only a couple weeks earlier that the PSN was.

Here's the full story by SecurityWeek on Epsilon's breach

http://www.securityweek.com/massive-breach-epsilon-compromises-customer-lists-major-brands

So if you have accounts with any of the companies I'm listing down below, then you very well should be looking into Epsilon's breach first, before even considering that anything may have been done in the PSN breach.

Here's all the retailers who's email accounts were hacked into in the Epsilon breach(And watch for any plishing/spoof emails that they may also disguise as a real email from one of these affected companies too)………

Kroger

TiVo

US Bank

JPMorgan Chase

Capital One

Citi

Home Shopping Network (HSN)

Ameriprise Financial

LL Bean Visa Card

Lacoste

AbeBooks

Hilton Honors Program

Dillons

Fred Meyer

Beachbody (Makers of TRX)

TD Ameritrade (and bank)

Ethan Allen

Eileen Fisher

MoneyGram

TIAA-CREF

Verizon

Marks & Spencer (UK)

City Market

Smith Brands

McKinsey & Company

Ritz-Carlton Rewards

Marriott Rewards

New York & Company

Brookstone

Walgreens

The College Board

Disney Destinations

Best Buy

Robert Half

Target

QFC

bebe Stores

Ralphs

• Fry's

1-800-Flowers

Red Roof Inn

King Soopers

Air Miles

Eddie Bauer

Scottrade

Dell Australia

Jay C

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

I can't help but wonder whether Epsilon is going to be drug before Congress to explain themselves?

sohio
sohio
12 years ago

@Killa,
Yep, the sooner they get PSN back up, the sooner this all goes away. While everyone has their hand out, wanting something for free because they think they "deserve" it, what would be a BIG boost for Sony is if they got the network up and running before the target date of May 4th. Like this weekend sometime. Wishful thinking, but I'd rather have it this weekend than a free $10 game that I'd probably never play anyway.

Kiryu
Kiryu
12 years ago

All these gaming websites getting upset over some comment that"the credit card info MIGHT be stolen".These websites will do anything to bash Sony!

RadioHeader
RadioHeader
12 years ago

…And they'll continue to do so. The only way the hate would stop is if Sony lost huge swathes of cash, or went completely under.

I prefer this outcome – Sony keeps their studios, the bullshit artists in the media keep hating but we keep IGNoring them.

Clamedeus
Clamedeus
12 years ago

@RadioHeader

Ha, I see what you did thar. 😉

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

Well, most of those sites cater to mindless sheeple.

So if I were to go there & post this….

"It's widely rumored that everyone here will be sh*tting out a 10,000 pound unicorn next Monday, at noon….

There would be a massive stampede by millions of lemmings, all hastily flooding their local home improvement stores in search of a new industrial sized crapper.


Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/29/2011 11:00:56 PM

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

This only fuels my suspicion that Anonymous is responsible for this. Their main goal was to hurt Sony and people are either forgetting or ignoring that they promised a "huge" attack against Sony just before all this happened. What better way to do it than hurt the public's trust in Sony's ability to protect our most person information.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
12 years ago

Anon isn't behind this. If they were, they would have admitted it already. Anon has no problem taking credit for big things like this.

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

Yea sure, hacking into a network like the PSN and compromising millions of peoples most personal data is a federal offense. I'm sure they would admit to it. All criminals admit they committed crimes. They couldn't have done it because….well they said so.

Don't be so naive.

johnld
johnld
12 years ago

hahaha, if they did commit this then admitting it is a stupid move. they will be admitting to this criminal activity that the FBI is already involved in. not to mention those guys who were arrested already.

Underdog15
Underdog15
12 years ago

Woh, wait, guys were arrested already??

Clamedeus
Clamedeus
12 years ago

@Underdog15

Indeed, I believe there was 5 caught, but I think I heard more people got caught as well I'm not sure of the number if I remember correctly it was 15.

But I don't know if it's true they caught 15 people or not. If anyone knows just let us know if they came across something saying they caught more people.


Last edited by Clamedeus on 4/29/2011 8:54:58 AM

Underdog15
Underdog15
12 years ago

Woh, cool! If anyone has a news link, I'd love to check it out.

Simcoe
Simcoe
12 years ago

When criminals do get away with stuff (especially the immature ones), they do like to talk and share in their "victory". I do remember Anonymous stating that their initial attack was only the beginning and they had more planned. I could very well understand that a professional criminal hacker, seeing an opportunity, would use the distraction or guise of Anonymous along with the materials that that George Hotz published, to pull off this heist.

Also, I'm sure Sony, their investigators and law enforcement will be looking to see if there was a rash of PSN profile alterations or removal of credit card numbers on file prior to the "network intrusion". Anonymous members will have PSN accounts too, I'm sure they wouldn't want there information compromised.

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

The arrests that were made in the UK took place before this PSN incident. They were arrested for their attacks on Paypal, MasterCard and Amazon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12299137

There has also been 40 arrest warrants issued here in the US. So the FBI is already looking for the goons.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I see I'm not alone in regards to Jawknee's criticism of "gaming journalists". These "journalists" are a joke. None of them probably went to school and were hired because they begged somebody to read their blogs or something.

Or in the case of Kat Bailey, because she's a woman and randy teenage males just love sucking up to women.

Jed
Jed
12 years ago

Oh you're definitely not alone. I'd say at least 80% of this sites members are with you on that matter, myself included.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
12 years ago

@MyWorstNightmar
I guess I am. I called my CC company and checked my bank statements, only to find out that I had numerous charges that I didn't make.

FatherSun
FatherSun
12 years ago

That is quite a contrast from what Sony is stating at this time. It also moves in the opposite direction of what credit card companies are reporting so far.

That would not only mean that Sony has misinformed its customers but the credit card companies have as well.

Or, you are mistaken.

To be honest I think there are ways to defeat any security and remain completely untraced or frame a specific entity. So, in a case like this no one could ever truly know. But that's just me.

kraygen
kraygen
12 years ago

Check the dates of all the illegal purchases, might be your card just happen to get the info stolen around the time of this psn thing.

BIGRED15
BIGRED15
12 years ago

@zemus101
Same here, i've supported sony long before console wars or xbots or anything.

10 years i have been playing playstation and im not about to just turn the other cheek because a bunch of people are chastizing sony and sony is getting sued. Unlike those who just complain and criticized on the matter, I took all precautions to make sure I enhanced my own security after this because really, its all you can do. We can set an example to those who feel entitled or are reactive rather than proactive. That, to me is what differentiates the people on this blog versus those you see venting about it in another. We as a community have analyzed the problem, and understand that sony as well as any other corporation can be made vulnerable to cyber-terrorism.
The only worry I have left concerning this is how sony is gonna bounce back. They have projected 24 billion dollars in losses (which is highly innacurate mind you) but i know the ammount sony is gonna pay for this is gonna hurt em, and i think its gonna hurt us as a gaming community. I just pray that sony wont go under because of this incident. That would be worst case scenario, and im pretty fearful of this.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
12 years ago

Console wars have always existed, they are just bigger now because of the internet.

Edit: lol sorry I had to choose that one statement out of your entire comment. I have a problem correcting people even when its such a small thing


Last edited by LittleBigMidget on 4/28/2011 10:08:50 PM

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
12 years ago

10 years? Really? That's long, but not long enough for people my age or older.

I've been playing Playstation for 14 years now.

PS1 in 1997. Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid.
PS2 in 2003. Shadow of the Colossus and GTA San Andreas.
PS3 in 2008. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Uncharted 2.
Wii and 360 in 2009. Gears of War 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

And once again, my friends were sucked in by the 360 craze of 2007, forcing my hand to join them online 2 years later. When you have 1 friend on PSN and 12 friends on Live, can you blame me?

Anyways, off track, sorry.

Knowing Kaz (which I hardly do except for news articles and E3 presentations) I reckon he will do a great job. He helped build SCE from a mega giant into an appealing megagiant. Let's not forget the early days of PS3, what a struggle. And now here they are, Kaz helping them become the biggest and most relevant video game company, and entertainment technology company in the world.

After constantly checking my Credit card, still nothing. Here's hoping it remains safe. (Knock on wood)

thj_1980
thj_1980
12 years ago

WE WILL ALL SEE BY NEXT TUESDAY.


Last edited by thj_1980 on 4/28/2011 10:11:56 PM

jimmyhandsome
jimmyhandsome
12 years ago

I'll c u next tuesday!

FatherSun
FatherSun
12 years ago

Ultimately if handled correctly this event may strengthen the PlayStation brand. If Sony can somehow demonstrate to the public that it has acted in the best interests of its consumers at every turn and make it completely evident it could set the stage for them to make a tremendous comeback.

All eyes are on them at this moment. It is the best time to initiate a new level of communication between a business and its customers. Both of which were victims of a growing threat in this age of information. With all of the new ventures like Qriocity Music, Video on Demand, PlayStation Suite, Phone, tablets, the NGP, the inevitable PS4 and beyond it MUST advance its strategy in the market. And if they can gain the confidence and support of consumers and the media it can become more innovative than ever.

Now that would be quite a campaign. A business, its consumers and the media working together for one common cause. To monitor and exchange information for the benefits of all. Oh how I would love to assist Sony with an endeavor such as that. Maybe I should give Kaz a call.

It a sensitive time. Make no mistake. The world is changing before our very eyes. Now is the time to make moves people. The times they are a changin'.


Last edited by FatherSun on 4/28/2011 10:21:20 PM

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

I hope you're right. They don't deserve this, we don't deserve this. They have done so much fore gaming and gamers and have got nothing but flack since the start of this generation then a bunch of basement dwellers come along and pull this crap.

FatherSun
FatherSun
12 years ago

It's a HEX I tell Ya!


Last edited by FatherSun on 4/28/2011 10:52:29 PM

jaybiv
jaybiv
12 years ago

I agree Sony can come out of this stronger than before. To get there, they will have to eat a spoonful of Western P.R. 101. Their arrogance and lack of awareness to the severity of the issue has put Sony in a HUGE hole.

Now, that they've fessed up, they can still right the ship. BUT they will need to react as if this incident was as serious as the recent earthquakes/tsunamis that hit the area.

Give us the plan for how our information will be protected. It doesn't have to be at a micro level so as to tip off future would-be hackers, but enough general information so the average person would understand what's going on. Try to find a respected non-profit customer privacy/security organization to audit processes and/or work with them to develop best practices for the industry.

The heat Sony is getting right now is justified. I would like to see Sony turn this into something positive that will lead to improved security of our information no matter who stores it.

LittleBigMidget
LittleBigMidget
12 years ago

Well Jawknee you have your theories and I have mine. I still think it was someone else. I saw a group of some Anon guys in Vendetta masks at the mall today, wish I had some tomatoes with me….

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Your girl didn't have a can of pepper spray with her?

Jawknee
Jawknee
12 years ago

You should have just snatched the mask of his face and stomped on it. 🙂

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Dayum! They just put the pressure on Kaz big time. He can handle it though, keep a stiff upper lip Kaz.

The Iron Jedi
The Iron Jedi
12 years ago

Sony won't go under, it just won't happen. They like Nintendo are a part of the world we live in today. Look at what happened with GM and Ford in the US, they filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (GM), and they kept going.

This will hurt Sony, it will, but for MasterCard and American Express to say they haven't found any proof of fraud, this is good news.

I was worried at the beginning, I admit that, but after reading and listening to assurances from other users on PSXExtreme, and reading Sony's blog updates, I feel much more at ease.

In fact it even made me decide to trade in my XBOX today, I thought I'm going to help support Sony through this, and not support MS anymore. Nintendo and Sony have given us the greatest games I think I have played.

I've been playing games for over 20 years now (Super Mario Bros 3, World, Super Mario Kart, Galaxy, Link to the Past, Uncharted 1 and 2, GTA, of course this is Rockstar, but you get the idea), and we need to stick with Sony and Nintendo and say to Hackers, No, we won't go quietly, we are here for the long haul.

So to anyone who thinks XBOX Live is safe, think again, and to all these XBOX fan boys (yes, I was one) don't laugh too quickly, after all, everyone has the right to enjoy and pick what they choose to play. I don't like Halo much, but don't pick on Uncharted when you haven't played it.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Welcome to the right side of The Force.

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