Top

You are here: Home > Sony is Investigating Network Shutdown; Anonymous Denies Responsibility

Sony is Investigating Network Shutdown; Anonymous Denies Responsibility

By on April 22, 2011 in Entertainment, Gaming, General Gaming, PlayStation 3, press, PSN, Sony 71

As I’m sure all of you are aware by now, the PlayStation Network is down, and at a rather crucial time in gaming as well, as SOCOM 4, Mortal Kombat and Portal 2, all which rely heavily on the online community, are unable to be played online. Although we can only speculate as to the cause of the network outage – some blame internal problems in Japan and some blame famed hacker organization Annonymous – but Sony is reportedly working on the program. Sony first acknowledged the issue Wednesday, and indicated on Thursday that it would take a “full day or two” to reboot the network. Otherwise, Sony has been silent on the matter and has not returned inquiries from Associate Press journalists, although rumor on the internet is that Sony has implicated Anonymous in the matter.

This is probably due to a pretty threatening open letter that Annonymous sent to Sony after they took legal action against fellow hacker George “Geohost” Holtz.

Here’s the most threatening paragraph in the open letter:

Your corrupt business practices are indicative of a corporate philosophy that would deny consumers the right to use products they have paid for, and rightfully own, in the manner of their choosing. Perhaps you should alert your customers to the fact that they are apparently only renting your products? In light of this assault on both rights and free expression, Anonymous, the notoriously handsome rulers of the internet, would like to inform you that you have only been “renting” your web domains. Having trodden upon Anonymous’ rights, you must now be trodden on.

You can read the full letter here

Being that Anonymous did openly threaten Sony, I don’t think it’s exactly unreasonable that Sony implicated them. However, Anonymous has denied responsibility in a second open letter on their website.

While it could be the case that other Anons have acted by themselves AnonOps wa not related to this incident and takes no responsibility for it. A more likely explanation is that Sony is taking advantage of Anonymous’ previous ill-will towards the company to distract users from the fact the outage is actually an internal problem with the companies servers.

TL:DR

Sony is incompetent.

You know, I can’t say I don’t believe them, but I’m skeptical. If it was an internal problem, a large corporation with many arms like Sony would likely have sorted it out by now.

What do you all think? Is it probable that Anonymous is responsible for the attack? Is Sony doing an adequate job in handling the shutdown?

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Newer Comments →
  • http://Website Freekill

    Clearly is anonymous’s doing or if not it is someone who was exasperated by anonymous ( people within’ anonymous) This seems pointless now because the whole George Hotz case has been solved for two weeks and that is what they claimed they were fighting for. What pisses me off the most is that they claimed that they would not attack unless they found a way to make gamers not suffer but instead they seem to be making gamers suffer the most now cause of the three new big releases + infamous 2 beta that have just been released.

    What a couple of dicks

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      I wouldn’t be surprised if Anon ended up being the group behind it. I agree that it had to be an external group though, there’s no way that Sony would let their servers stay closed down for so long if it was merely an internal matter.

    • http://Website TheMrod

      I must agree with Anonymous. Think about it – If they did manage to take down the PSN network – wouldn’t Sony have a backup in place and ready to implement? Sony is a corporation with bajillions of dollars – you telling me that, even if Anon managed to “Shift-delete” the entire PSN network, that Sony does not have a backup ready to put online? Unless of course, Sony put it’s backups on the network and Anon got to both of them – but personally I would still consider that an internal problem, for being stupid enough to put your backup data in a vulnerable position.

      I will say this: I am slightly pissed as I am currently borrowing Black Ops and had plans to play online with friends this long weekend – but I think that Anon making their point is well worth the inconvenience. Sony is a greedy corporate entity that has no consideration for it’s customers. They are only interested in providing you with a product that you will pay for. That’s it. They don’t care about your loyalty – they proved this by removing backwards compatilbility and screwed those of us that actually kept our PSX and PS2 games in order go get more people to re-buy from the PS store (just like they did with the PSP Go – your old PSP games no longer work. Too effing bad!!).

      Sony needs to get it in their heads that Anon does care about the way they treat their customers, and they need to realize that we don’t buy their products because we have to, we buy them because we CHOOSE to, and if they want to limit what we can do with the things that WE buy, well then they can deal with a little taste of their own medicine.

      Plus – it’s not like anyone Pays for the PSN, so they really have no right to complain. It is pretty much the only part of Sony which I actually appreciate (the fact that they pay for it on their own dime).

      • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

        That really sucks, and I’m sure you’re far from the only person that’s been screwed.

        I really don’t think it was Anon though, as I feel like they would have been transparent about it, but it HAD to be an external source. Sony may be a greedy corporation, but they’re not an incompetent one. I think the reason people do have the right to complain is not the online itself, but if they use the service to access external services like Netflix, which they do pay a monthly subscription, then they have the right to be upset.

      • http://Website PISSINGpeopleOFF’er

        I don’t understand why everyone is talking about “renting” their system. Pretty damn sure I bought my PS3 (which IS reverse compatible AND an 80GB by swapping out a new HDD) cash, free and clear.

        As for rights and limitations with the product, so 1/1,000th of 1% of PS3 owners really want to go beyond the limits and do mods and hacks to their system for fun. Need I remind you that those people are most likely the same exact pack of people who hacked the system in the first place. No one else really gives a shit if they can’t use their PS3 as a server or whatever these morons think is the next best thing for online gaming. Think about it, EVERYTHING you have has an attached rights and limitations clause. You just never read them unless you are INTENDING to break them and not get caught…..ahem….Anon.

        Also, you talk about how Sony is robbing you of your hard earned money by constantly upgrading your old gear. What about Microsoft? Let’s start a list shall we? 1. HD DVD drive? External and not included in standard purchase. 2. If you bought an HD DVD drive it’s probably now a coaster because SONY’s products were better; proven in fact by YOU, the consumer. 3. Rechargable battery pack? Extra. 4. Internal wireless? Nope! 5. Firmware updates leading to leaps in technology? Not a ONE! ( I am speaking about the 3D Blu ray upgrade which I now use which SAVED me, not costed me, over $300.) and actually, thanks to SONY I MADE money back on my 3D tv purchase because it came in a package and I sold off my extra 3D Bluray player for a profit. 6. crappy Kinect that doesn’t have any functionality for games you actually WANT to play. (do you really want to select an item on your list by sticking your arm to the side 17 times to scroll? 7. Anyone remember the infamous crash that took out your XBox’s that had NOTHING to do with a hack? It just crapped itself. The list goes on…..

        Just because PS3 owners do not pay for their service has nothing to do with whether they have the right to complain about it. Let me break this down to you economically. After all the costs of creating the PS3 and the residual income that they will earn with their continued sales and services, they don’t NEED to charge us for PSN to make a profit. Neither does Microsoft, but guess what, they charge their customers anyway! Microsoft is the one doing their customers a disservice, not SONY. (that’s number 8 on the list) We payed for the PSN service for a lifetime use when we bought the unit. Look at your PS3 box that it came in. It says PSN access right on it.

        Technology advances. If people want to bitch about how new stuff isn’t the same as the old stuff then go to your grandparents house and bitch about it with them. Because EVERY company does this. Apple, Microsoft, car companies, internet providers and their slow release of faster and faster internet speeds while charging more and more even though other countries are running 10X faster than us. It’s all already been developed, people. 3 generations of technology ahead of our current consumer products just locked up in a safe so they can make as much profit as they can in a projected fashion. People need to quit crying. Grow a backbone and suck it up. Make some money so you can afford the new technology not feel the pain in your wallet. Maybe then you will see how awesome these products really are.

    • http://Website nope

      Haha why so mad loser? OH GOD MY SUPER AWESOME $300 BLU RAY PLAYER JUST LOST HALF OF ITS FUNCTIONALITY!

      That’s what you get for paying nothing to play (albeit horribly worse than xbox) online. Best possible timing too. I can’t stop laughing at all the Sony folks raging.

      • http://Website PISSINGpeopleOFF’er

        HALF? Please…..I’m just sitting back watching my 50″ 3D TV with my PS3 3D blu ray player. What’s that? Your XBox doesn’t play Blu Ray? You still have a standard 2DTV? Your bank account is empty? My internet goes down and my system is STILL better than your shitty XBox! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHH! Sucks to be you!

        • http://Website shaun

          ppo ur makin me laugh my a$$ off i love my ps3 + blu ray player XBOX is trash

  • http://Website Clothkent

    Well i for one am glad the weather is nice, a BBQ and a beer will ease my online gaming itch.
    To be honest i couldn’t care who was responsible for the outage, i just want the PSN back up and running asap.
    Oh a quick note to Sony: As recompense for loss of service how about updating the PS3′s
    internet browser to something that works, so we can view and interact with sites like Twitter and Facebook or Youtube without half empty pages, blank pages ,text overlapping,unusable search boxes, empty pictures, ect ect.
    I am fed up with sites saying that my browser is out of date and content cannot be viewed.
    Even your own site says Follow us on Twitter @PlayStationEU for live updates.
    So go to http://twitter.com:80/#!/PlayStationEU and you get a blank twitter page, even the search box will not work as you cannot ( like Youtube ) click search as the pencil icon appears and it just opens up the keyboard to type more in the search field.
    People/Users/Customers have been asking for years for you to update the browser.
    Its 2011,isn’t it time you started listening .
    CK.

    • http://Website Bradley John

      I totally agree the ps3 browser is rubbish.
      ( can i have a burger and a beer please lol )

      • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

        Personally I just use my laptop browser and that works for me.

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Weather isn’t nice on my end, it’s rainy so no BBQ for me :(

      I think that most gamers probably feel the same way, it’s not a whodunnit as much as a when-the-hell-is-it-gonna-get-upit.

      I really don’t use the PSN, as I don’t own a PS3, but that sounds really bad. Social media optimization is key in this day and for them to half-ass compatibility like that is a little ridiculous.

  • http://Website Renegade

    I don’t think anonymous is responsible if they say they weren’t.

    They don’t have a track record for lying, and they usually rub it in peoples faces when they accomplish something.

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Yeah, that’s true. They’re not exactly known for not being transparent about who and what they attack. It doesn’t exactly look great though that they did threaten Sony right before it happened.

  • http://Website Alex

    Sony is one of the biggest companies in the world. For such a big company as Sony to lie or make false statements is too risky. They could easily be proven wrong. Every word that comes from Sony in this PSN outage is most definitely true.

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      That’s probably true, I think they may be a bit embarrassed about the whole thing, but the official word now is that they shut down the PSN because they were trying to prevent data mining and external damage to the servers or something like that.

      • http://Website nope

        And a dumbfuck in a plaid shirt would obviously believe that. Haha oh man.

  • http://seriousless.com AndyBannister

    Well, to me it seems as though sony may be having a premadonna moment to gain publicity or they’re having a pointless bitch fight to keep people distracted long enough for them to hopelessly fiddle about with the network (possibly to cover up a huge mistake) but I have also been threatened by an administrator either from sony or rockstar saying they will modify my PURCHASED SOFTWARE to cover up just on of the many glitches in grand theft auto 4 as I was using it to gain extra enemies from behind a solid wall. If the game developers dIdnt want these problems to arise then they should patch the glitches in the newer versions of the game in and/or updates instead of threatening the few that actually take advantage of these glitches to further their gaming status, you’d use these different ways to get ahead in the glitches online wouldn’t you? SO WHY CAN’T WE?

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Huh, what was the context of that administrative threat? I agree though, I think that the potential for the PS3 to have homebrew content on it is enormous, but I guess the corporations (correctly) fear that it will also be used to cheat and also to score free official DLC. I think Valve has the best philosophy with handling the community at this point, although I know Creative Assembly is going to try to embrace the modding community more with Shogun 2.

  • http://seriousless.com AndyBannister

    These big companies like Sony are only being hacked because of their pathetic understanding of what is sold and what isn’t, cars aren’t bought and then revoked by their respective companies as and when they like because you’ve been driving them wrong, why should psn and ps3 software be any different for Christ sake. I do agree with anonymous’ point but you know I don’t think they’ll be very popular after so many millions of people have been kicked of psn for so many days

  • eli214

    im only 13 but still it is kindve odd that psn shut down people say anymous or aron did it but i dont think did it because if yall hadnt notice major online games like black ops and etc has been hacked through out online since ps3 been out i think that somone outside of those major hackers did mostlikely people who think felt or did get srewed but i really dont care i just muthafukin PSN BACK i cant play blackops killzone 3 nba 2k11 mannden11 ncaa11 and etc this is major bullshit so all i say is fix fukin

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      I can definitely understand your anger, but I agree it was definitely an external source. I think the official word at this point is that Sony shut it down in order to prevent data mining and external damage to the servers.

      • http://www.da-stickies.webs.com/ ethan

        i think this whole thing is totally fucked up. i think annonamous should fuck right off and sony should get their heads in gear and open up play station network again. im 12 and plz visit my site thx plz reply

  • AndyBannister

    These big companies like Sony are only being hacked because of their pathetic understanding of what is sold and what isn’t, cars aren’t bought and then revoked by their respective companies as and when they like because you’ve been driving them wrong, why should psn and ps3 software be any different for Christ sake. I do agree with anonymous’ point but you know I don’t think they’ll be very popular after so many millions of people have been kicked off psn for so many days

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      That’s true but it seems doubtful that it was them, although releasing a threatening letter warning of potential cyber-terrorism beforehand is not exactly great PR.

  • http://Website Keefer22

    Has anyone elses considered Bill Gates might have a few of the brightest hackers in the world right in his back pocket? Afterall, who IS Xboxes biggest rival? Sony.

    My 2cents

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      That actually may not be off the mark. Microsoft did release an official statement about the matter

      “Of course it’s regretful that Sony is encountering issues at such a busy time, and Microsoft takes no joy in the problems gamers are having playing their favourite games online.”

      And then promptly launched free Live this weekend for all Xbox owners…suspicious, or just taking advantage of a crisis situation?

  • http://Website boze

    how long until it is up & running???

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      No idea, I’d assume by early next week.

  • http://www.facebook.com/TheAnonPress TheAnonPress
    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      I like the computer voice :D Seriously though, you make a good point though, bad publicity is still publicity, and even if you all didn’t do anything (which seems doubtful at this point).

      “You are strangling yourselves with the very thing you wish to see destroyed.”

      Interesting concept and definitely well-put.

  • http://Website clothkent

    Well BBQ has finished, beer almost gone
    , better be a sunny day tomorrow …..
    No psn…..dribble ..
    boo hoo
    sniff :(

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Aww too bad, I would’ve loved some beer and burgers. Guess I’ll just have to go on Live now and take advantage of the free weekend…seriously though, that’s just shameless.

  • http://Website david

    maybe its those xbox hackers

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      It’s certainty a possibility. Xbox Live is just HAPPENING to have a free weekend for all Xbox owners this very weekend after all.

  • http://Website aWW

    Anonymous is the ones who hacked it as you can see on their youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/Anon19861 they have the proof so SONY STOP THEM NOW! IM PISSED I WANT TO PLAY ONLINE!!

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Huh, then why did Anon claim in their open letter and video that is posted earlier on the comments section that they had nothing to do with this? Gonna post that contradiction up as a separate article now. Thanks for pointing this out.

  • http://Website JUAN VALDEZ

    I have three words: CLASS ACTION SUIT

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      It will be if they’re the ones behind this.

  • http://Website Rasengan0

    Anonymous goal are to protect the rights and privacy of PS3 owners. I personally can not say I do not support this goal. However their methods are NOT in our best interests but in theirs. They choose themselves and their goals over the players. With this in mind I have come to the assumption that Anonymous WAS in some way, be it directly or in-directly, related to the shutdown of the PSN. I also believe Sony is doing a poor job of keeping the community informed with the status of the PSN. Which is in no one’s best interest as it gets the PS3 community upset at BOTH Anonymous and Sony themselves. Also please keep in mind all of this is nothing more than my opinion. If you disagree so be it.

    Oh, and anyone know any good single player games I can play while the network is down?

    • http://Website Hacker Hater

      COD all the way

      • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

        I’m sure everyone just wants their COD BlOPS back

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      That was very well articulated. I don’t think gamers care WHY the network is down as much as the the fact that it is down.

      If you have it, it’s a bit old, but you should pick up Final Fantasy XII if you haven’t played it already. Otherwise there’s infamous or mass effect or dragon age 2.

  • http://Website Hacker Hater

    Talk about the most stupid move ever, if anon is reponsiblr for this all they have achieved is to piss off millions of potential hackers (myself included) with a whole heap of anger at anon.

    There will be interesting backlash from this

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Agreed, I’m curious to see how this unfolds.

  • http://Website arnold the hedgehog

    As am I. Though I have a question. What if anonomous is just using this as a diversion to steal money from people’s psn acount? There a group of experianced hackers right? This is my opinion though. <:I

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      You know, that’s a possibility as well but it seems to contradict with Anon’s track record. But if it were another group of hackers that could be more realistic.

      If I were you though I’d take my account info off if possible if you can call customer service. Luckily, I don’t have a PS3 so it’s not something I have to personally worry about.

  • http://Website SiK

    i want my PSN ON!!!!!

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Seriously, it’s been a long time.

  • http://Website clothkent

    DAN DAN THE XBOX MAN
    CODBO

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      That’s what I do best (not really, I don’t actually play COD)

  • http://www.da-stickies.webs.com ethan

    i think this whole thing is totally fucked up. annonamous should fuck right off and sony should get their heads in gear and open up play station network again. im 12 and plz visit my site thx plz reply

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Haha, I think you’ve pretty much echoed how most people are feeling at this point.

  • http://Website clothkent

    Went out for a walk down the beach to sink a couple of beers to pass the time, and found a live band playing reggae ska and jazz. Good afternoon had.
    Beginning to forget what it was i was staying in for.
    Most currently viewed message of the day…
    …….PlayStation(ARRRRGHH)Network is currently undergoing maintenance.

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      It’s good to get out too. Not being able to use your PS3 online for a weekend isn’t the worst thing ever. This may be an act of cyber terrorism, but at least it’s not seriously threatening anyones lives.

      • http://Website clothkent

        Dan you have officially become a numpty.
        God help us if i mention something you don’t agree on.
        I used numpty because i am not sure what to call you ……….anti ps3.
        xbox sympathiser, we know you have a pc,
        but the more you reply i am guessing you dabbled with game consoles and thought “i am to artistic for this” blah blah blah . Sorry but i get smug ex ( if ever ) gamer tones from you.
        And yes you haven’t used psn or own a ps3 we know , as for shameless yes telling us your gonna xbl is tantamount to hangiing.

        sorry but your not a gamer, probably not even a console owner (anymore) , and you probably have a brown tongue a foot long .

        This rant is brought to you by playstation notwork.

        Shalom
        Apologies.

        • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

          I’m sorry what? I’m not anti or pro anything, I’m just trying to encourage healthy discussion. Yes, I own an Xbox 360 and a PC, and no, I don’t own a PS3, but that doesn’t mean I’m against it or anything. How is that shameless? I think most people in the comments section have made interesting points that I agree with but there’s also been a lot that I disagree with.

          Please, why would I be writing for a gaming site if I wasn’t a gamer?

  • http://Website racrule

    Happy Easter, love from Sony.
    worst Easter present ever. I turned down a wicked weekend of camping fishing and drinking so that i could have the ultimate 5 day uninterrupted gaming online with friends. not too be :(
    Thanks for nothing you piece of shit hackers.

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Ugh that sucks. Sorry to hear that, racrule.

    • http://Website clothkent

      Be honest , there never was a fishing trip.

  • http://Website Bluefire

    Daniel,
    You do realize the 2nd video in your last article was posted on the 7th, right? It may have nothing to do with what’s currently taking place on PSN. For all we know, it might have been posted regarding the outage on the 4th of this month.

    Just thought I’d bring that possibility to mind. But, even if it were the case of our current predicament, didn’t Anonymous say affecting the gamers would go against their real purpose for any such attempt to hack Sony?

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      I think the video was released on the 12th actually, which is still eight days before the hack.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GzPAa9YrTo&feature=player_embedded

      You’re right though it may have nothing to do with the current PSN outage. There really isn’t any conclusive evidence either way, anyone could have made that video. I’m not the authority on this whatsoever, just trying to disclose new info so that readers can discuss it.

      They did stop the initial waves of hacks because they had thought it was harmful to gamers, but you never know at this point. It’s hard to tell with them because they aren’t a uniform organization.

  • http://Website John Q

    I think Sony should offer a free game download to satisfy allot of people that could not use the playstation over the last several days. Isnt that customer service now a days, just give them something free to satisfy their disgust with the original problem!!

    • Daniel Horowitz (HavenDan)

      Pretty much, that’s how they deal with it. But I still don’t think Sony will do this.

Newer Comments →

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes