Case Study 2
In April and May 2011, Japanese company Sony's databases were hacked into.
First in April, Sony's PlayStation Network was attacked. Hackers obtained personal information of about 70 million PlayStation Network users, including:
Then in May, about 24 million Sony Online Entertainment users had their accounts attacked as well. Similar to the April attack, credit card numbers and customer names were among the sensitive data leaked.
The double attacks Sony suffered started heated discussion among many Sony customers.
Most customers blamed Sony for its poor online security. Some called for understanding and encouraged customers to provide Sony feedback on its security measures.
First in April, Sony's PlayStation Network was attacked. Hackers obtained personal information of about 70 million PlayStation Network users, including:
- account details
- credit card numbers
- e-mail addresses
- home addresses
Then in May, about 24 million Sony Online Entertainment users had their accounts attacked as well. Similar to the April attack, credit card numbers and customer names were among the sensitive data leaked.
The double attacks Sony suffered started heated discussion among many Sony customers.
Most customers blamed Sony for its poor online security. Some called for understanding and encouraged customers to provide Sony feedback on its security measures.
Who did it? What did Sony say?
The infamous hacking group Anonymous are suspected to be the cyber-criminals behind these attacks. However, it has denied any responsibility.
It said that individual hackers in the group might have acted out on their own.
In response to to the attacks, Sony advised users:
Still, many customers are furious at Sony's decision to announce the cyber-attack only a week after it had happened.
They felt that the one-week window would have given the cyber-criminals plenty of time to commit crime using their personal data.
Get to the full articles:
"Sony PlayStation Hack: 70 Million Users' Details Stolen"
"PlayStation Network Hack Leaves Credit Card Info At Risk"
"Sony Hacked Again: 25 Million Entertainment Users' Info At Risk"
It said that individual hackers in the group might have acted out on their own.
In response to to the attacks, Sony advised users:
- change their passwords regularly
- beware of scams taking advantage of their personal details
Still, many customers are furious at Sony's decision to announce the cyber-attack only a week after it had happened.
They felt that the one-week window would have given the cyber-criminals plenty of time to commit crime using their personal data.
Get to the full articles:
"Sony PlayStation Hack: 70 Million Users' Details Stolen"
"PlayStation Network Hack Leaves Credit Card Info At Risk"
"Sony Hacked Again: 25 Million Entertainment Users' Info At Risk"