Playstation Network hacked: Sony admits hackers could have stolen 77m users' credit card details
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WHAT HAS BEEN STOLEN?
- Personal data of millions of users worldwide stolen
- Access to PlayStation Network was suspended a week ago, but Sony only revealed details of data theft today
- Fury as Sony announces breach in blog post just hours after launching tablets at high-profile event
Scroll down for video and Sony's full announcement
Massive blow: Sony has admitted that the credit card details of 77million PlayStation users could have been stolen by hackers last week
WHAT HAS BEEN STOLEN?
Sony said it believed hackers have obtained the following details from its PlayStation Network users:
Credit card details may also have been taken. Bank industry body Financial Fraud Action UK has issued an urgent alert to victims.It said it was working with Sony to identify British consumers involved and set up alerts on their credit card accounts to check for unusual useor purchases.A spokesman added that if accounts were hijacked by criminals, banks would set up new accounts and issue new cards.He said: The banking industry has robust processes in place to protec! t custom ers accounts by monitoring for suspicious transactions.FFA UK said there was no need for customers to contact their bank or card company at this stage.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY DATA HAS BEEN STOLEN?
- Name
- Address details including postcode, city and country
- Email address
- Date of birth
- PlayStation Network / Qriocity passwords and login
- Handle / PSN online ID
Credit card details may also have been taken. Bank industry body Financial Fraud Action UK has issued an urgent alert to victims.It said it was working with Sony to identify British consumers involved and set up alerts on their credit card accounts to check for unusual useor purchases.A spokesman added that if accounts were hijacked by criminals, banks would set up new accounts and issue new cards.He said: The banking industry has robust processes in place to protec! t custom ers accounts by monitoring for suspicious transactions.FFA UK said there was no need for customers to contact their bank or card company at this stage.
True extent revealed: Sony has taken a week to admit that the personal details of million of PlayStation users have been stolen. Sony boss Ken Kutaragi (right) and the firm's U.S. CEO Kaz Hirai launch the PS3 in 2005
Game off: The PlayStation Network first went down last Wednesday
WHAT DO I DO IF MY DATA HAS BEEN STOLEN?
How will I know if I've been affected?
To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, Sony has told people to monitor card statements.Will I be reimbursed if hit financially?
If you get hit with a phishing attack and people access your accounts, then the banks will reimburse. Same with credit cards.
What do I do when the network's up and running?
Sony recommends changing your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated accounts, they strongly recommend that you change them, as well.
However, it added that customers should check statements and keep an eye on accounts for unusual activity.There are concerns that many people use the same password for their Sonyaccount as for other online activities, including banking.FFA UK warned: We recommend that they should change these passwords as soon as possible.Similarly, customers may have had their email addresses and telephone numbers compromised, so they should be wary of responding to any unsolicited emails or phone calls.It said innocent victims of fraud will get their money back from their bank or card company. The Information Commissioner has launched ! an inves tigation, saying it takes such incidents extremely seriously.The Sony hack is the latest in a number of web security breaches to hit consumers in recent weeks.
Millions of customers of Marks & Spencer,Play.com and Trip Advisor have had personal details stolen.
Sony has shut down its PlayStation Network, apologised to customers and announcedan independent security review.
However, many customers complained thatit took it a full week to reveal the extent of the breach.
To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, Sony has told people to monitor card statements.Will I be reimbursed if hit financially?
If you get hit with a phishing attack and people access your accounts, then the banks will reimburse. Same with credit cards.
What do I do when the network's up and running?
Sony recommends changing your password. Additionally, if you use your PlayStation Network or Qriocity user name or password for other unrelated accounts, they strongly recommend that you change them, as well.
However, it added that customers should check statements and keep an eye on accounts for unusual activity.There are concerns that many people use the same password for their Sonyaccount as for other online activities, including banking.FFA UK warned: We recommend that they should change these passwords as soon as possible.Similarly, customers may have had their email addresses and telephone numbers compromised, so they should be wary of responding to any unsolicited emails or phone calls.It said innocent victims of fraud will get their money back from their bank or card company. The Information Commissioner has launched ! an inves tigation, saying it takes such incidents extremely seriously.The Sony hack is the latest in a number of web security breaches to hit consumers in recent weeks.
Millions of customers of Marks & Spencer,Play.com and Trip Advisor have had personal details stolen.
Sony has shut down its PlayStation Network, apologised to customers and announcedan independent security review.
However, many customers complained thatit took it a full week to reveal the extent of the breach.
Game off: The PlayStation Network first went down last Wednesday
We didn't do it: Members of the hackers group Anonymous, with their trademark masks, at an event in Los Angeles. The group has denied all responsibility for the Sony shutdown
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