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PSN attack:"Anonymous" leaves calling card on SOE server

by Steven Williamson on 5 May 2011, 08:51

Tags: Sony Computers Entertainment Europe (NYSE:SNE)

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A file left on one of Sony Online Entertainment's network servers following the recent security breach looks likely to have been left by notorious hacktivist group "Anonymous."

In a letter addressed to U.S. Congress, in which Sony was asked to respond to thirteen probing questions regarding the hacking of the PlayStation Network and SOE's network services, Sony Chairman Kaz Hirai confirmed that a file left on the server was labelled "Anonymous" and included the the group's motto "We are Legion."

Refering to a question posed about why Sony was targeted, Hirai said: "Several Sony companies had been been the target of a large-scale, coordinated denial of service attack by the group called Anonymous."

"The attack were coordinated against Sony as a protest against Sony for exercising its rights in a civil action in the United States District Court in San Francisco against a hacker."

In the letter, Sony only refers to the file being left on the SOE servers, so it's unlclear whether "Anonymous" is also behind the first attacks on the PlayStation Network

The PlayStation Network was hacked on April 18 and is still offline. This was followed by an attack on SOE's network services which have also been taken offline while more stringent security measures are put in place.


HEXUS Forums :: 16 Comments

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Posted by Ferral - Thu 05 May 2011 09:08
Its a strange one this really, as Anonymous are adamant that they have nothing to do with this attack. Could it possibly be an isolated few members from the group, or even a different group alltogether and put an Anonymous stamp to try and cover their backs.

I really wouldnt want to be in the shoes of whoever is behind this, they will get found one way or another. Sony are going to be so damned annoyed with what has happened. A few lawsuits from users in different parts of the world over data protection on top of the breach. They are seriously going to be gunning for someone. Considering FBI and other major law enforcement are on the case now, its only a matter of time.

Either way, I just wish that PSN was back up and running, it went down a few days before I went away, was surprised when I returned from my hols to still find it down. They are saying starting to roll out this week, but at the moment its looking dubious as we are near the end of the week.
Posted by [GSV]Trig - Thu 05 May 2011 09:12
The longer its down the better, they already caught OSB, by the end of next week there going to open a McDonalds on the moon….
Posted by Brewster0101 - Thu 05 May 2011 09:14
Ferral
Its a strange one this really, as Anonymous are adamant that they have nothing to do with this attack. Could it possibly be an isolated few members from the group, or even a different group alltogether and put an Anonymous stamp to try and cover their backs.

I thought Anonymous stated they had nothing to do with the first attack. Did they comment on the second attack?
Posted by Ferral - Thu 05 May 2011 09:23
There are so many different reports coming out its hard to piece it all together. Some reports say that Anonymous done a few little prods, testing the water as it were, but are adamant they were not going to do anything that would be detrimental to the consumers after they read responses from users all over the world to their plans.

For all we know this could be Sony trying to cover their back for a massive mess up on their side, so pointing the finger at a hacking group to try and get a bit of public confidence back. Makes it look like they are actually doing something about it. Or is that just me being cynical.
Posted by roachcoach - Thu 05 May 2011 09:23
This confused me too, Anon did a massive DDOS - how did pulling down and offline'ing the network make it hackable :O_o1: It also wouldn't explain why SoE was hit as well. Seems very much corporate speak for “A big boy did it and ran away”.

My thoughts are these penetrations go way back and the anon activities earned closer security scrutiny and they noticed the other breaches. Inactivity breeds complacency, if they were pretty sure they had a bulletproof network it probably didn't get all the attention it deserved. I can sympathise, that is human nature.

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