Mom's Minute

Sony Network Hacked

Source of News:  New York Times, Hiroko Tabushi, October 12, 2011

Article:  Sony Freezes Gaming Accounts After Hacking Attacks

Sony has reported its network has been hacked, affecting approximately 93,000 users, whose accounts were locked. A previous security breach on its network happened a few months back. Continual security breaches may be beginning to affect consumers' confidence in the security of Sony's web-based services.

Sony suspects the hackers obtained users' login information from other sources, and used that information to infiltrate Sony's Network.  In my opinion, Sony seems to be downplaying the seriousness of this security breach by stating that it was not a direct hit on Sony. Sony also states that access was gained to only a few accounts and no credit card or other sensitive information were stolen.

Sony's security was previously attacked back in April, 2011, when approximately 100 million accounts were hacked.  Credit card and other information were stolen and Sony was forced to shut down the network.  It took Sony about 2 months to restore the network back to full operations.

Here is a graphic about the hacking.

Ms.H's take:  With all the money that Sony has at its disposal, security should be at its top echolon of priorities.  After being hacked a few months back, there is no excuse that Sony's network was weak enough to suffer yet another attack.  Sony should not downplay this attack.  It is apparent that its network (as I'm sure many others) is the target of hackers, so it is up to Sony to work diligently to prevent future security breaches. 

Also Sony should consider that when consumers lose confidence in the security of a company's products and services, they may opt out from using the products and services period.  If consumers take this route, Sony would suffer even more losses, than it is currently experiencing.  

Ms. H's message to Sony -- Please get your priorities straight!  Move Network security to the top of your list not only to protect consumers' credit and sensitive information --  but to protect your bottom line as well!

Two positive notes here:  Sony did not attempt to hide or cover up the security breach, and it appears they took immediate action to notify the affected account holders.  Also, this taught us a lesson to change our passwords frequently.

This article mentioned the same passwords were used by consumers/users among different accounts, which enabled the hackers to break into the system.  So another lesson is for us to not only change our passwords often, but to also refrain from using the same password across and among different systems.

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Bye now,

Ms. H  

"Ms. H Equals Win!"