AfterDawn: Tech news

Sony sees first lawsuit over massive PSN security hack

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Apr 2011 10:29 User comments (26)

Sony sees first lawsuit over massive PSN security hack Earlier this week we reported that following 5 days of downtime, Sony had finally confirmed the reason behind the PSN outage, sparking outrage from concerned gamers.
Sony said hackers had stolen PSN account info, forcing the company to shut down PSN and Qriocity as it rebuilds its services. The company noted that your "Name, address (city, state, postal code), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID, profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, postal code), and the subscriber's PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers" had been compromised.

Even worse, the company says your credit card info and expiration date are likely to have been compromised, as well.

Today, the first lawsuit over the breach has surfaced, filed on the behalf of Kristopher Johns of Alabama.

Johns is accusing Sony "of not taking reasonable care to protect, encrypt, and secure the private and sensitive data of its users."



Furthermore, the suit alleges (via Cnet) that Sony took far too long to notify customers of the breach, and that their information had been stolen. By taking 5 days Sony did not give its users a chance "to make an informed decision as to whether to change credit card numbers, close the exposed accounts, check their credit reports, or take other mitigating actions."

Seeking class action status, the suit is demanding monetary compensation and free credit card monitoring for all 77 million PSN users affected.

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26 user comments

128.4.2011 23:54

Go Kristopher John! This will be a very interesting outcome to this case.

229.4.2011 00:00
worldgame01
Unverified new user

PlayStation new update i like the bit about a good will gesture for waiting free PSN cred maybey i forgive you Sony!

http://bit.ly/jEexMJ

329.4.2011 00:08
Stupid916
Unverified new user

This is dumb... Class actions get lawyers rich and do nothing for the victims....

1) PSN owes us nothing.

2) PSN did take reasonable care by encrypting our CC's and setting up a secure network.

4)what this will do is force Playstation to charge for PSN as a means to pay their lawyers to handle this, and if by some micro chance you win tp pay your lawyers (not you)

Quit being greedy morons.... Sony cant notify users of info they havent discovered.

429.4.2011 00:10
mprez27
Unverified new user

He should do it. I didn't receive the email of the incident until today. A little late if you as me. I only knew what was going on by what I was reading from different sites.

529.4.2011 00:42
Razzy316
Unverified new user

Originally posted by Stupid916:
This is dumb... Class actions get lawyers rich and do nothing for the victims....

1) PSN owes us nothing.

2) PSN did take reasonable care by encrypting our CC's and setting up a secure network.

4)what this will do is force Playstation to charge for PSN as a means to pay their lawyers to handle this, and if by some micro chance you win tp pay your lawyers (not you)

Quit being greedy morons.... Sony cant notify users of info they havent discovered.


Although you skipped 3) entirely I couldn't agree more. The days of free online gaming with psn are over.

629.4.2011 00:42
HurricaneD1o
Unverified new user

This is soooooo retarded why sue a company that has been a top of the line in every sense of the electronics industry providing the best to it's customers this is a reason why people like Kristopher or the other morons who want to sue them ruin it for the rest of the people. You are not special I myself am a psn user and yes my credit card was in their system but I'm sure if I have an issue Sony would b more then happy to help with a few dollars rather then millions(THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE) on a damm lawsuit. I do agree they should of informed us to be aware of our accounts from the get-go but they didn't to protect their image and not loose their prestige..which if you look around is already trashed so what more do you greedy lazy common-sense missing lowlifes want...leeeeave Sony aloooone they know exactly what they are doooiiiin I disagree with the lawsuit and I hope he looses the case damm GET A LIFE!

729.4.2011 01:12

Looks like some whiny, money-grubbing scum are coming out of the woodwork! Unless you can show damages (like if they didn't credit Plus members for the days it ends up being down or actual harm done to you...not just possible harm) there's no real case.

829.4.2011 01:59
tobojeejoe
Unverified new user

Originally posted by Razzy316:
Originally posted by Stupid916:
This is dumb... Class actions get lawyers rich and do nothing for the victims....

1) PSN owes us nothing.

2) PSN did take reasonable care by encrypting our CC's and setting up a secure network.

4)what this will do is force Playstation to charge for PSN as a means to pay their lawyers to handle this, and if by some micro chance you win tp pay your lawyers (not you)

Quit being greedy morons.... Sony cant notify users of info they havent discovered.


Although you skipped 3) entirely I couldn't agree more. The days of free online gaming with psn are over.

I also agree...the days of gaming with a PS3 are over

929.4.2011 02:37

Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Looks like some whiny, money-grubbing scum are coming out of the woodwork! Unless you can show damages (like if they didn't credit Plus members for the days it ends up being down or actual harm done to you...not just possible harm) there's no real case.
So I guess invasion of privacy is of no harm to anyone? I envy the european privacy laws as opposed to those here in the US. This especially applies to those living in their parents home using mommies CC to play online games with no concern for themselves

1029.4.2011 04:23

Does a Supreme Court Ruling Kill the PSN Class Action Lawsuit?

http://bit.ly/ktpCCe

1129.4.2011 07:15

Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Looks like some whiny, money-grubbing scum are coming out of the woodwork! Unless you can show damages (like if they didn't credit Plus members for the days it ends up being down or actual harm done to you...not just possible harm) there's no real case.
With that logic then, let me have your SS number, CC number, expiration date, birthdate, etc. There is no harm in giving them to me is there? Just a possible harm.

1229.4.2011 10:13
lissenup3
Inactive

Hmmmmmmm..........XBox Live has never had this happen and coincidentally, you have TO PAY for XBox Live.

Perhaps Sony should consider the same and apply the funds to reinforcing the integrity of the PSN. Though I can't speak for everybody, I'd bet my bottom dollar that just about anyone with half a brain would be willing to pay 40 bucks a year for an online SAFE, SECURE and STABLE gaming community.

Sony tried to best XBox by providing a free online service........can you say "backfire"?

1329.4.2011 10:16
lissenup3
Inactive

Originally posted by solamf30:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Looks like some whiny, money-grubbing scum are coming out of the woodwork! Unless you can show damages (like if they didn't credit Plus members for the days it ends up being down or actual harm done to you...not just possible harm) there's no real case.
So I guess invasion of privacy is of no harm to anyone? I envy the european privacy laws as opposed to those here in the US. This especially applies to those living in their parents home using mommies CC to play online games with no concern for themselves


Yeah....and to add to his/her moron comment, PAY ATTENTION NOW........class action lawsuits are NOT the result of "money grubbing". Class action benefit the lawyers only as the "class action" part is the key part here, meaning "many".

So no one person (unless personally damaged) will reap a great deal of money.

1429.4.2011 10:35

This is not good... No free PSN, no online gaming :(

1529.4.2011 13:40

Originally posted by lissenup3:
Hmmmmmmm..........XBox Live has never had this happen and coincidentally, you have TO PAY for XBox Live.

Perhaps Sony should consider the same and apply the funds to reinforcing the integrity of the PSN. Though I can't speak for everybody, I'd bet my bottom dollar that just about anyone with half a brain would be willing to pay 40 bucks a year for an online SAFE, SECURE and STABLE gaming community.

Sony tried to best XBox by providing a free online service........can you say "backfire"?


A) You are naive to think this hasn't happened to LIVE!. Albeit on a smaller scale but that doesn't matter as it proves it is possible which proves you wrong.

B) If someone wanted to do the same to MS I am sure it would be possible as absolutely nothing is secure. This is proven. And again you would be naive to think otherwise.

C) Why pay for something that has the same inherent problems as anything else that actually disallows those who don't pay for it multiplayer access? Of which is something that is given on other platforms for free (PC, MAC, Wii, PS2, PSP, PS3, Tablets & Phones)?

Paying for LIVE! does not make it better or more secure. That is a fallacy.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Apr 2011 @ 1:42

1629.4.2011 15:10
lissenup3
Inactive

Originally posted by Oner:
Originally posted by lissenup3:
Hmmmmmmm..........XBox Live has never had this happen and coincidentally, you have TO PAY for XBox Live.

Perhaps Sony should consider the same and apply the funds to reinforcing the integrity of the PSN. Though I can't speak for everybody, I'd bet my bottom dollar that just about anyone with half a brain would be willing to pay 40 bucks a year for an online SAFE, SECURE and STABLE gaming community.

Sony tried to best XBox by providing a free online service........can you say "backfire"?


A) You are naive to think this hasn't happened to LIVE!. Albeit on a smaller scale but that doesn't matter as it proves it is possible which proves you wrong.

B) If someone wanted to do the same to MS I am sure it would be possible as absolutely nothing is secure. This is proven. And again you would be naive to think otherwise.

C) Why pay for something that has the same inherent problems as anything else that actually disallows those who don't pay for it multiplayer access? Of which is something that is given on other platforms for free (PC, MAC, Wii, PS2, PSP, PS3, Tablets & Phones)?

Paying for LIVE! does not make it better or more secure. That is a fallacy.
I can't possibly be expected to stay abreast of EVERYTHING that occurs everywhere and it would be naive and foolish for anyone to expect that of me or anyone else BUT.......I am well aware of the "smaller ones" and now your point is moot because you mentioned that. You have also reinstated my point.

Regarding your response:
A: I'm not naive because I said XBox live has "Never had THIS happen". This meaning this size, impact and serious nature. It hasn't and you admitted that so check yourself please.

B: I never said it couldn't or wouldn't happen to MS and again.....ANYONE would be a fool to think that someone else (especially on this site) would think it's NOT POSSIBLE to hack XBox Live. I don't think like that because I do have half a brain.

C: Refer to A: and B:

Maybe Fins just think a bit differently.......otherwise why would you have made the meritless assumptions you did hmmmmmmmm?

1729.4.2011 15:12

Originally posted by Oner:

Paying for LIVE! does not make it better or more secure. That is a fallacy.
Yes, it's a false "security." You might feel it's secure because you pay for it, but it's like everything else. Like that example of the guy advertising how he's not afraid to give out his SS# over the radio? Well, for those people pay extra bucks to have their personal information protected, they're just wasting money.

1829.4.2011 15:37

Originally posted by lissenup3:
I can't possibly be expected to stay abreast of EVERYTHING that occurs everywhere and it would be naive and foolish for anyone to expect that of me or anyone else BUT.......I am well aware of the "smaller ones" and now your point is moot because you mentioned that. You have also reinstated my point.

Regarding your response:
A: I'm not naive because I said XBox live has "Never had THIS happen". This meaning this size, impact and serious nature. It hasn't and you admitted that so check yourself please.

B: I never said it couldn't or wouldn't happen to MS and again.....ANYONE would be a fool to think that someone else (especially on this site) would think it's NOT POSSIBLE to hack XBox Live. I don't think like that because I do have half a brain.

C: Refer to A: and B:

Maybe Fins just think a bit differently.......otherwise why would you have made the meritless assumptions you did hmmmmmmmm?
I have not reinstated your point at all. Not one bit. The FACT is you were implying LIVE! is secure...when it is not. THAT is the point. Not some smaller spin you try to put on it after you were proven wrong. THE ORIGINAL issue that you claimed that LIVE! IS secure.

IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO NOT BE

And once again you bring up Finnish people into this of which has no $#@!ing reason, connection or ANYTHING otherwise. Why? Because Afterdawn.com is based out of Finland? I am AMERICAN you ignorant ass! Now who is ASSuming things?!?!

You know what, I am sick and tired of your racist, xenophobic and just plain old ignorant remarks. Of which you have been warned by DDP, Creaky, Myself and others about. Your behavior and bigoted comments/remarks/insults are not welcome here and I have had enough. You are PERMANENTLY banned now. And not the kind you have come back from with your #2 and #3 "lissenup" new account. If I see/find you posting at anytime I will instantly ban you again and again and again. Hence the term PERMANENT since you don't seem to learn and I will be sure to pass this on to other mods here at aD.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Apr 2011 @ 3:51

1929.4.2011 16:43

Originally posted by Unfocused:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Looks like some whiny, money-grubbing scum are coming out of the woodwork! Unless you can show damages (like if they didn't credit Plus members for the days it ends up being down or actual harm done to you...not just possible harm) there's no real case.
With that logic then, let me have your SS number, CC number, expiration date, birthdate, etc. There is no harm in giving them to me is there? Just a possible harm.

It's difficult to follow the logic if you don't understand it.

2029.4.2011 17:09

seriously? you guys are missing the point of how this all happened in the first place. sony did not actively police the hackers with modded systems, and so the learning curve got smaller and smaller until the could just do as they pleased.Also to the "this could happen to you too xbox fanboy" crowd, yeah it could but it didn't. so toss your ps3 and go buy an xbox.

2129.4.2011 17:32

XBL was hacked b4. in 2007, so please don't say "they" can't be hacked bc t"they" were hacked.

2229.4.2011 18:44

the pentagon was hacked for FFS some people are just Sony haters really on this site.

2329.4.2011 20:27

So the credit card numbers were apprently "encrypted" can anyone tell us how strong (was it a 32-bit cypher) and what type of encryption was used? (RSA, DES, etc.) I dunno if its possible cause it's kept close to people's chests as a business secret but just curious.

2429.4.2011 20:27

Anyone can get hacked. it all depends on how determined people are

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 29 Apr 2011 @ 8:28

2529.4.2011 21:22

Sue them this is America!!!!!!!

2629.4.2011 22:10

Coul

Originally posted by lissenup3:
Hmmmmmmm..........XBox Live has never had this happen and coincidentally, you have TO PAY for XBox Live.

Perhaps Sony should consider the same and apply the funds to reinforcing the integrity of the PSN. Though I can't speak for everybody, I'd bet my bottom dollar that just about anyone with half a brain would be willing to pay 40 bucks a year for an online SAFE, SECURE and STABLE gaming community.

Sony tried to best XBox by providing a free online service........can you say "backfire"?


Haha, couldn't have been said better, epic failure.

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