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Did Sony shut down PSN to prevent "extreme" piracy?

April 25, 2011 2:50 PM
Matthew Lynley
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Sony shut down its Playstation Network after a new custom firmware version for the console let users download games and content with a fake credit card number, according to a moderator from Playstation fan-site PSX-Scene.

The moderator, who posted the information on news aggregator Reddit under the user name chesh420, said the latest version of a custom firmware for the Playstation 3 called Rebug.me let Playstation 3 owners with that firmware installed access a developer network. They could then put in a fake credit card number and download content as they pleased without any kind of verification of the number on Sony’s back-end.

The latest version of Rebug.me was released at the end of March, and the first guides detailing how to get modified Playstation 3 consoles onto the developer network came out around a week after that, the moderator said. Sony brought its Playstation Network down four days ago without offering many details about what happened and said it was beefing up security. It has acknowledged that an “external intrusion” brought down the network and that it is trying to beef up its security. Meanwhile, it has said it is still trying to determine if any user credit card information was stolen.

In a blog post this morning, Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold said, “I know you are waiting for additional information on when PlayStation Network and Qriocity services will be online. Unfortunately, I don’t have an update or timeframe to share at this point in time. As we previously noted, this is a time intensive process and we’re working to get them back online quickly. We’ll keep you updated with information as it becomes available. We once again thank you for your patience.”

The PlayStation Network, or PSN, is Sony’s attempt to engage its video-game console and PlayStation Portable audience in a larger online entertainment network that includes online games, movies and TV shows, as well as Sony exclusives such as Qore, a digital magazine, and The Tester original TV show. It’s a strategic asset for the console maker as more of the-video game audience moves into the online world.

There are 948 games now available in the PlayStation Network store, as well as 4,000 pieces of add-on content for games. There are also 31,000 movies and TV shows available for download, not counting the content available on Netflix, Hulu, and sports content.

VentureBeat has contacted Sony for comment and will update the story as soon as more information is available.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JK4257BAI2CNYEPM22JUMG5ZWU First And

    Send us an email sony. Stop expecting everyone to read a blog.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JK4257BAI2CNYEPM22JUMG5ZWU First And

    Send us an email sony. Stop expecting everyone to read a blog.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y7EMS6C633KWDFTPVMLSQGQDLY Josh W

    still so pissed about psn being down, THANK YOU XBOX FOR LETTING ME PLAY HALO STILL!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YUVMTLYWCUAH3HUENYCFR77HYU Medek-Medekai

    The Playstation blog is inaccessible to users, as the servers are down, YET they still have current user messages posted on the blog? And they are all very “happy”. “Good job Sony, keep us updated!” and “Oh well, at least it still plays Blurays!” and remarks like that. I think some PR people are putting fake messages on there. Has to be, as users themselves cannot login OR comment. Very fishy to say the least.

  • motayba

    @Medek-MedekaiNoticed this as well and agree: very fishy. Here's hoping some journalist looks into it. At this point, Sony really can't be trusted.

  • http://twitter.com/Jimrad1 Jim Radley

    Very very lame article geez. The so called PSX Moderator knows nothing more than anyone else, and is admitting he is speculating. Probably believes all the conspiracy theories about 911 as well. C'mon, stop believing that just because someone typed in on the internet, and claims to be on the inside, that it has any truth to it. Geez Ive got a used car that gets 200 miles per gallon to sell you otherwise. Sony exec's would never tell a lowly work for free moderator anything nor would a volunteer moderator know of anything more than anyone else out there. Lame, just lame……… Basic journalism, verify source, verify source, verify source.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Z5SS57BS4PCYO2UFJB3TJNV5HQ Gary

    Why don't they just block access to the “developer network”. Really a “developer network” should be IP range restricted anyhow (to Sony IP addresses).I have to call bullshit here.

  • cyberslammer2

    Hey, at least Sony wouldn't do something like install a root kit on your system without your permission….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KO5MQ6ZZIOEMU46AZHOUCJDRMM dan m

    Pretty unlikely that this was the reason:1. Timing was too awful; even if piracy was a problem, Sony wouldn't have needed to bring the network down for an extended period of time the same week Portal 2 and Mortal Kombat, the biggest games of the quarter, were released.2. Sony also brought down Qriocity, their media platform. This suggests an attack on the entire Sony network, not just a response to a hack for the PS3.

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