Sony Play Station 3 data breach which was rather surprising that this kind of breach could happen with a company like Sony. Considering the wide reading implications Sony Corp has announced that Kazuo Hirai Executive Deputy President will hold a News Conference on Sunday.

What is Sony Play Station 3 data breach

If you are late here is news for you – on April 19 Sony shut down its network and later the Japanese giant warned that this week that hackers had stolen names, addresses, and possibly credit card details from the 77 million user accounts of its video game online network of Sony Play Station 3 in one of the largest Internet security break-ins ever.

Sony has warned that hackers have gained access to personal information of the Sony Play Station 3 users including:

What information is hacked for Sony PS3

• Name
• Address (city, state, pin code)
• Country
• Email address
• Date of birth
• PlayStation Network/Priority password and login
• Handle/PSN online ID

Additionally Sony has warned that profile information – such as history of past purchases and billing addresses, as well as “secret answers” given to Sony for password security may also have been obtained.

Sony also admits that it cannot rule out the possibility that credit card information may also have been compromised.

Implications of Sony Play Station 3 hack for you

Sophos the internet security firm said in a press release that:

“If you’re a user of Sony’s PlayStation Network, now isn’t the time to sit back on your sofa and do nothing. The fraudsters won’t wait around – for them this is a treasure trove ripe for exploiting. You need to act now to minimize the chances that your identity and bank account become casualties following this hack … That means, changing your online passwords (especially if you use the same password on other sites), and considering whether it would be prudent to inform your bank that as far as you’re concerned your credit card is now compromised.” - Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos the internet security firm

The implication are far reaching than you can imagine. if you think that breach is limited to Sony think again. Someone with your personal data can compromise the security of your other accounts. With the personal information they can first take control of your email and with that all your other accounts. Far reaching and very dangerous implications.

What action to take if you are a Sony Play Station 3 user

Sophos recommends that you must cancel your card immediately. Here is what we recommend you:

1. Change your online passwords (especially if you use the same password on other sites)
2. Change your secret questions
3. Cancel your credit cards used
4. Change your email ids used for registering online

Bob Johnsson (name changed) a Sony Playstation 3 customer says, “I feel cheated by this data breach … (we) give data to reputed companies like Sony, and if they allow such breaches I am not sure whom we can rely on? I feel cheated and hurt and I am not sure what to do about this … “

Sony play station data breach

What Bob is feeling – there are 77 million other user may also be feeling and going through. Some may not even be aware of this. Sony may have to take proactive measures to ensure it warns users individually and compensate them if the breach has resulted in any loss.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal asked Justice Department, to investigate the matter. The FBI launched an inquiry and urged anybody with information about the attack to contact an agency hotline.

Now what new information Kazuo Hirai Executive Deputy President of Sony will share in the News Conference on Sunday 1st May 2011 – is not yet known. May be he can share about the extent of breach and how it happened?