An “unauthorized individual” now has access to all of the data stored in your PSN account.
Sony has finally issued a statement about the problems with the PSN, and while it’s mostly a generic (but appreciated) corporate apology, there are a few things that you need to know. For starters, the company says that they now have a “clear path” forward and hope to restore certain PSN and Qriocity services within a week.
The more troubling news, however, is that there has indeed been a massive breach in security and the personal information of millions of PSN subscribers has been compromised. According to a statement being sent out to PSN subscribers, an “unauthorized individual” may have obtained all of the information stored in your PSN account, including your “name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID,” as well as your “profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers.”
As you’d expect, Sony recommends that you change your password once you’re able to get back online.
Unfortunately, Sony still doesn’t know whether or not you need to be worried about your credit card information, and while they say that there is currently no evidence showing that credit card numbers have been compromised, they “cannot rule out the possibility.” The statement consequently directs customers towards a number of free credit security options available to U.S. citizens and advises everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious account activity.
Needless to say, it’s a rather disquieting turn of events given the scope of the PSN. Sony has hired an outside security firm to investigate the “illegal and unauthorized intrusion” that brought down the Network – it would be rather startling if it was only one “unauthorized individual” – and they’ll probably be collecting answers for a while. In the meantime, you’ll definitely want to take steps to lock down your credit card info, and we’ll let you know once more questions have been answered.
Source: PlayStation Blog