When is the PlayStation Network going to be back up?
A question everyone seems to be asking lately. The PSN originally went down April 20th and has been down since then. It seems that between April 17th and April 19th, there was a hacker that got into the network and attempted to download sensitive user information. On April 20th, the service was shut down by Sony to prevent any further attack.
Sony writes in its latest PSN update, “We have a clear path to have PlayStation Network and Qriocity systems back online, and expect to restore some services within a week. We’re working day and night to ensure it is done as quickly as possible.” They also wrote, “If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained.”
The most recent development is a class action lawsuit has been filed against Sony on behalf of “approximately 77 million” PSN users. You can view the full complaint here.
photo credit: shagy6six6
Posted in 
Tags: 
Apparently the same hackers went after PBS more recently, also, publishing a few thousand passwords of journalists who had signed up for a news service offered by the site, as well as contact information for a number of PBS affiliate stations around the country.
Their reason? They felt a documentary that PBS had done on WikiLeaks unfairly focused on Brian Manning’s personality rather than more relevant (in their view) freedom of speech issues.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HACKERS?
1. Use secure passwords. Programs like Keepass (free, Windows) or 1Password (paid, Mac) can be a big help here. Really don’t use “fido” or “fluffly” or “stinkhead” as passwords. Such passwords are very easy to crack. Use something like Rr_tvkq12_$(_ instead. You’ll need one of the programs mentioned above to remember it, but it’ll buttfuzzle the bad guys.
2. Develop the habit not to click on links in emails. Instead, surf to the site using a bookmark or search engine.
3. Don’t open attachments included in emails unless you are 100% certain of the source. You can always email your friend and ask if they really sent you an attachment.
4. Don’t give your password to anyone. If you do (for computer repair or tech assistance only) change the password immediately afterwards. A good tech person will not hold it against you.
5. Don’t download and install programs from sleazy websites. “Video codecs,” and so on are often malware disguised as a useful program. Files that end in .exe are programs. Don’t double-click on such a file unless you are certain that it is what you think it is.
6. It’s not a bad idea to surf the web using a non-admin account you set up for this purpose. Don’t have any idea what this means? Ask a tech-savvy friend to explain and help you set up such an account. It’s easy to do and takes just a couple of minutes. The explanation may take longer, depending on you.
7. Don’t bank or purchase while on a public network. Your uploaded information can easily be viewed by third parties in such a situation.
8. There are plenty more tips available on the web. Don’t collapse into a puddle of paranoia, but do remain attentive to simple, easily implemented security tips. Ask anyone who has ever had to spend frustrating hours trying to disinfect their PC. Follow Poor Richard’s advice– “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
9. Have fun.