[I found this article on www.computersandvideogames.com a few minutes ago...]



The past five days of PlayStation Network down time was sparked by a new PS3 hack that let users download PSN content for free spurring Sony to pull the plug.

That's according to new a speculative report that suggests the release of a hacked custom firmware which enables the downloading of PSN content for free is at the root of the ongoing issue.

The report highlights that a custom firmware, known as 'Rebug', was released on March 31 which, in brief, gives retail PS3s most of the options and functionality of a debug (or developer) PS3 unit.

A week later, tutorials appeared detailing a way in which users could use this firmware to download PSN content for free using fake (NOT stolen) credit card numbers.

Apparently, hackers "found out that you could provide fake CC# info and the authenticity of the information was never checked as you were on Sony's private developer PSN network (essentially a network that Sony trusted)."

Piracy ensued, which is what triggered Sony's decision to shut down PSN, speculates the report, going against common suspicion that the severs had simply failed due to a direct attack from disgruntled hackers.

The report also says "no one's personal information was accessible via this hack. Not to say they couldn't get it, but no one is admitting to it being available," backing up other reports today that the risk of credit card theft via PSN is 'not substantial'.

wow this is awsome thanks for posting this
lol i want free conent too i shoulve done this hack too lol

If this is entirely true (and I don't doubt it is) the only question is how long has it been going on before Sony noticed.

I've been waiting to see a hack like this. I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned sooner or found earlier if this has been an on going issue.

LightningEmotion wrote:[I found this article on www.computersandvideogames.com a few minutes ago...]
The report also says "no one's personal information was accessible via this hack. Not to say they couldn't get it, but no one is admitting to it being available," backing up other reports today that the risk of credit card theft via PSN is 'not substantial'.

I sincerely hope that last bit is absolutely verified. I'm taking a relaxed comedic approach through this ordeal, but if it turns out personal information and billing information got leaked through this, then yeah... I won't be so relaxed anymore. That would then mean that these hackers will be at fault, but also Sony as well for not being thorough on protecting personal information... and that would mean I need to do some very important chores at my bank soon.. Hey! There's no such thing as being too secure! xD

I can imagine everyone who tried to steal stuff from the PSN store also being quietly found out and arrested during these past few PSN-less days as well.

Which can also explain why Sony is so hush-hush about the incident as to not make their attackers panic and flee the country perhaps...like a certain cowardly GeoHot did...

( '_') ..Just sayin'...

Im sorry for the gamers that cant have access but im GLAD this happened,i said it since the longest that this will happen,i told Sony that their security was soft,i even showed them how somebody could get in on their private servers and what they did???? They crucified my account.....so now I stand here saying I TOLD YOU ,and that sony got what they deserved....now I will just sit back and look how sony will get tons of lawsuits when people CC,are used without authorization.....and now even when they are rebuilding everything I bet is still gonna be soft and get hacked again....this is just my 2 cents.

Yeah if i know sony they be hacked again again before they get it right