5 ways to protect your online game identity

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Chris Morris

One of the cool side benefits of owning a PS Vita is the ability to connect to the PlayStation Network from just about anywhere. As with Apple’s App Store, you no longer have to be sitting at a desk — or on a couch — to buy and download new games.

But for every step towards digital freedom comes an additional risk. Just as someone can usurp your identity on a console and buy things using any credits you’ve accumulated, someone who pickpockets your new game system or smartphone can likewise gain access to your game accounts and rack up charges in a jiffy.

Sony and Valve: A tale of two hacking responses

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Chris Morris

When Sony announced that customer data from its PlayStation Network was accessed by hackers, gamers and the media were furious. So why did Valve seem to get a pass under similar circumstances?

Like a lot of people in the gaming world, I got an interesting email from Gabe Newell last week.

The Steam hacking incident of last November, he said, was worse than they initially thought it was. And while there still was no direct evidence that credit card information had been accessed, a backup file containing that information (albeit encrypted) was obtained by the person or persons who had broken into the system.

Sony confirms recent hack, calls F.B.I.

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Chris Morris

Sony Pictures has confirmed that it was the victim of a large scale hacking operation this week and says it has called in law enforcement officials to help find the people responsible.

“The cybercrime wave that has affected Sony companies and a number of government agencies, businesses and individuals in recent months has hit Sony Pictures as well,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and co-chairman Amy Pascal in a joint statement. “[Thursday] afternoon a group of criminal hackers known as ‘LulzSec’ claimed to have breached some of our websites. We have confirmed that a breach has occurred and have taken action to protect against further intrusion. We also retained a respected team of experts to conduct the forensic analysis of the attack, which is ongoing.”

PBS Hackers Claim to Breach Sony Pictures

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Chris Morris

Just days after threatening to undertake an operation that it called “the beginning of the end for Sony,” a hacker group claims to have compromised the personal information of over 1 million users of SonyPictures.com.

The group, which calls itself LulzSec, is the same one that took over PBS Websites over the Memorial Day weekend, posting false news stories that rapper Tupac Shakur was still alive and living in New Zealand.

Sony’s Stringer lashes out at critics

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Chris Morris

While Sony has been apologetic over the last month about the breach of its PlayStation Network (and subsequent personal data theft), CEO Howard Stringer is apparently adopting a new tone.

The head of Sony, who found himself personally under a lot of fire for his silence on the matter as it was unfolding, had angry words Tuesday for critics who have accused the company of taking too long to inform consumers that their data had been stolen.

PlayStation Security Breach: What it Means for Other Companies

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Chris Morris

While Sony says it is still unsure if the hacker who broke into its PlayStation Network and Qriocity Music Service was able to access credit card information, consumer advocates are on high alert.

The potential that criminals could run up fraudulent charges is a logistical nightmare for consumers — even if they won’t be held responsible for those bills. But beyond the consumer impact of this data breach, which is one of the largest on record, corporate America is bracing for a potential impact.

Critics take aim at Sony over PSN hacking

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Chris Morris

With the shock wearing off after yesterday’s announcement about the scope and magnitude of the hacker attack on the PlayStation Network, Sony is now having to deal with the ugly public relations fallout.

Gardner analyst Avivah Litan says the incident is the largest theft of personal information to ever occur. That has spurred politicians in two countries to demand answers. And, as expected, the first of what will likely be several lawsuits has already been filed.

PlayStation motion controller Moves beyond video games

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Chris Morris

Within days of its retail release, hackers were already finding some innovative ways to use Microsoft’s Kinect motion controller. Now they’re going to get their chance with the PlayStation Move.

Sony has announced plans to make the software development application for Move available to students, researchers and enthusiasts later this spring. The company says it’s hoping the action will lead to increased innovation in gaming and other fields.

Chris Morris: Journalist

Tag Archives: hacking