Identify Theft

In the wake of the PSN hacker crisis at Sony, the entertainment mega-giant said that they’d be offering free identity theft protection to customers who were victims of the hack.  That rollout’s begun.  Even after the network had been fixed there was reports of yet another attack on a password server, then a couple other attacks on Sony Music and other services.  It’s a scary time to host any information online, and with Sony in particular as they seem to be the target of more and more attacks by displeased hacker groups.

If you’re a PSN customer or Qriocity member, you can sign up for identity theft protection free of charge now.  Here’s how!

• Follow the link HERE.
• Provide your e-mail and if it matches a Sony account you will get an activation code in a few days.

The service is provided by AllClear ID Plus, and is described by Sony as a “premium Identity Theft Solution.”  The service also provides identity theft insurance.  By signing up you can get the following benefits:

• Cyber Monitoring and Internet Surveillance
• ID Attack Reporting
• Actionable Alerts by Phone With Secure Voice Key
• Direct Connection to OnCall Investigator
• Complete Identity Repair
• $1,000,000 ID Theft Insurance

The service lasts for one year, after which you’ll have to pick up the tab.  It’s currently only available in the US, but Sony is working to provide the service in other countries soon.

Via Sony Blog

Xperia Play

Back in February, Sony Ericsson showed off the Xperia Play gaming smartphone.  Perhaps you remember the PSP, which was a bit underwhelming, but you wanted something that was a little more versatile; perhaps the Xperia Play is for you.  If you’re a gaming machine, and you want a real portable gaming machine, but don’t want to give up the wonderful world of Android to get it, consider the Xperia Play.  Sony has created the first PlayStation phone, running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and carried on the Verizon network in the US.  How popular a gaming-centric smartphone will be remains to be seen, but whatever your opinion you certainly have to agree that it’s a big step forward for mobile gaming that’s been confined to touchscreens the last few years.

The Xperia Play will run you $199.99 on a 2-year contract, but for that money you’ll get a pretty powerful Android device in addition to the PlayStation extras and a nice selection of preloaded games.  The onboard titles are Madden NFL 11, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, The Sims 3, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot and Tetris.  However, when the star of your preloaded lineup is a 20+ year old game it doesn’t really get the geek juices going.  Still, if those titles aren’t thrilling you, there will be 50 titles available via V-cast at first.

The Xperia Play is powered by a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm SnapDragon processor, has a 4-inch screen, an underwhelming 400 MB of onboard storage and 512MB of RAM, but more storage via micro SD.

PSN

In a video message this weekend, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai announced the phased restoration of the PlayStation Network following weeks of downtime due to an extensive attack by hackers.  In the recorded message, Hirai said the company has been working around the clock to restore network services to all of its users.  In addition to other compensation, Sony has said it will pick up the cost for members who want to enroll in services that offer credit monitoring, and identity protection/insurance.  These are services like LifeLock or Protect My ID.  Customers will also be offered a “welcome package,” the details of which were not disclosed.

PSN came back online for developers on Friday, followed by a phased restoration of services across the US.  As of this morning, the service map showed that it had been restored in all 50 states.  If you are still unable to access the network, Sony says to please be patient as, “it can take some time for servers to fully populate.”

A mandatory will be required when you sign in, and you’ll be required to change your password.  Your new password can only be changed via the original PS3 you signed up with, or by a validated e-mail confirmation.

Areas of Restored Service in the US

via Sony Blog

PlayStation

Just when you thought you were going to get online again with your PS3, Sony now says it is unlikely to meet the deadline for reactivating its PlayStation Network.  In a new post by Sony there is no new date given for reactivation, but there are a number of reasons given for the delay.

During the investigative process, Sony has started restoring the service through internal testing, during which they discovered “the full extent of the attack”.  At this time they are still working to confirm the security of the networks infrastructure, as well as working with a number of outside entities to ensure the security of the system.  Obviously, verifying the integrity of the security system is utmost on their minds, and that process has to be completed before the system can come back online.

Sony offers their apologies for the delay, but hopes you understand why it’s being made.  In the meantime, we can all venture outside and let the natural light touch our skin.  It is spring, after all!

As many as 77 million users of Sony’s PlayStation Network, Qriocity, and DC Universe were affected when an unknown hacker(s) breached the online security system and stole personal information about its users.  Keen to avoid further embarrassment, Sony is sparing no expense in shoring up their security system against further attacks.  Sony does intend to compensate users for the downtime due to the security problems.

PlayStation

In a very somber press event, Kazuo Hirai, President of Sony Computer Entertainment, Shinji Hasejima, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation, and Shiro Kambe, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation were all onstage in Tokyo today to detail the PlayStation Network outage, and to talk about the plans for restoration of the service, as well as compensation for customers.

In a prepared statement Kaz Hirai said, “We would like to extend our apologies who we invconvenienced and worried because we potentially compromised their data. We offer our sincerest apologies.”

They then recapped the recent events for everyone: On April 20, Sony was alerted to unusual activity on some of their servers, which are housed in an AT&T service center in San Diego, California. That activity took place from April 17 through April 19th, and when they were informed on the 20th, they turned off the servers and immediately launched a full investigation, also hiring a US security firm to mirror the servers and begin their own investigation. They quickly determined that it was a highly sophisticated attack by a skilled individual, or possibly group of individuals.

On April 24, they engaged a security firm who analyzed a great deal of data, and on April 26 they posted the information on the PlayStation blog. Sony explained that the three or four digit security codes were not compromised, and that no confirmed cases of damage caused by the lost data had been reported. Staying on top of this remains their top priority. They have since asked the FBI to conduct an investigation as well, and they will share any information from that as soon as they can.

Shinji-san discussed how the hacker gained access to the servers. Apparently the individual created a tool inside the server firewalls, which gave them access to the servers and the information. He pointed out that while there are up to 78 million accounts on the PlayStation Network and Qriocity, only about 10 million users have credit card accounts that could have been affected by this. Besides credit cards, the networks also take PSN Cards and electronic payments.

They then discussed a few new security measures that you’ll see put in place, which include the following:

• Accelerating the move of the data server in San Diego to a new location with more advanced security.
• Enhancing detection capabilities for unauthorized intrusions, adding automated software monitoring, enhancing levels of data protection and encryption and the ability to detect unusual patterns in the server. They will also be installing additional firewalls.
• They are creating a position of Chief Information Security Officer who will report to Shinji Hasejima.
• There will be a system software update to the PS3 that will force users to change passwords. “We regret that we are causing this inconvenience,” they said. Additionally, the password can only be changed on the same PS3 on which the account was created, or through validated email. No doubt this will cause issues for some users.

None of these measures though, can replace making sure you monitor your own account and watch for unknown charges on your credit cards statements.  Take responsibility!  Remember that most companies, Sony included, will not contact you asking for personal information such as account log-in information.  If  someone is, it’s not an official request.

By the end of next week, Sony said it hopes to restore some services to the PlayStaiton Network, including:

• Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation3 and PSP systems, including titles requiring online verification and downloaded games.
• Access to Music Unlimited by Qriocity for PS3/PSP existing subscribers.
• Access to account management and password reset.
• Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo.
• PlayStation Home
• Friends List
• Chat Functionality

Additionally, Sony will be offering a “Welcome Back” program, which will include:

• Offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download.  Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
• All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service.  Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
• Music Unlimited by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.

Via G4

For the second day in a row Sony’s PlayStation network has been inaccessible.  Users trying to access the service via their PlayStation 3, PSP, or the Sony website have received the message that “an error” had occurred.  Sony did acknowledge that there was a problem, but has yet to say what exactly is causing it.

“While we are investigating the cause of the network outage, we wanted to alert you that it may be a full day or two before we’re able to get the service completely back up and running,” the company posted to the official PlayStation blog.

There has been some speculation that this could be a DDOS (Denial of Service) attack on Sony by the hacker group Anonymous.  Anonymous took down several Sony websites in response to Sony’s legal wrangle with George Hotz, also known as GeoHot, the hacker responsible for jailbreaking his PS3 and distributing the tools for others to do likewise.  Jailbreaking allows users to install pirated software on their PS3, as well as run emulators and custom roms.

Anonymous has not claimed responsibility for the outages to the PlayStation Network, and a (supposed) representative of the group posted an editorial saying it had no time to devise a new strategy against Sony, and they had “entirely lost interest”.  There has also been no word from Sony as to compensation for paying users who cannot access the services.  While the PlayStation Network is free, the PlayStation Network Plus subscription is a $50 a year service for access to exclusive content.  Sony also runs the DC Universe MMO, which we hear has also been effected by the outage.

Follow us for more updates on this and other tech news as it rolls out!

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) is responsible for rating all of the games released and judging which age group is appropriate for the content of each game.  The system, up to now, has relied on ESRB employees personally rating each game before release.  With the flood of downloadable games that are coming out for all the different platforms available for gamers, however, the ESRB is having some trouble keeping up.  Under the new system, the ESRB will require all game developers to detail that content of their games, and load it into a rating program that will then produce an appropriate rating for the game.  There will be stiff penalties for lying about what’s in your game, so if you’re a developer it pays to be honest!

Where the system fails, it seems, is in the exact place it was meant to fix: the internet.  Since there’s really no sound way to verify a person’s age when they download a game from the net, Xbox live, PlayStation Network, or the thousands of other venues that sell games online, the system is far from foolproof.  You can check out the press release below, or follow the source link here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Beth Llewelyn

beth@zebrapartners.net

April 18, 2011             206.406.5027

ESRB INTRODUCES NEW RATING PROCESS FOR

CONSOLE DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO GAMES

Video Game Rating Board Positioning Itself for the Future with

Scalable Content Rating Process

NEW YORK, NY –The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) today announced it

is introducing a new  streamlined rating process for games that  will only be sold and

downloaded through console and handheld storefronts such as Microsoft Xbox LIVE®

Arcade, Nintendo Wii® or DSi™ Shop and Sony PlayStation® Store. These games will

receive the same recognizable ESRB ratings via a process whose efficiency and ease of

use provides  the scalability  necessary  to address the steady increase of games

delivered digitally across an ever-expanding multitude of new devices and outlets.

Starting  today, publishers of these  downloadable  games will complete  a different

submission form than  is used for  all  other games.The  new  form contains a series of

multiple choice questions designed to assess content across all  relevant categories,

such as violence, sexual content and language, among others.  The  questions also

address important  contextual factors such as the  game’s  realism and visual style,  its

incentives (i.e., whether a certain action is meant to be avoided or results in failure), the

player’s perspective (i.e., omniscient, distant or third person vs. immersed, close-up or

first person), and more. The responses provided determine the game’s rating, which is

issued to the publisher as soon as a DVD reflecting all disclosed content is received by

ESRB. All other types of games will continue to undergo the traditional rating process,

which involves completion of a more open-ended questionnaire and review of a content

DVD by a minimum of three raters who reach consensus on the appropriate rating.

“The ESRB rating process  that has been in use since 1994  was devised  before the

explosion in the number of digitally delivered games and devices on which to play them.

These games, many of which tend to be casual in nature, are being produced in

increasing numbers, by thousands of developers, and generally at lower costs,” said

ESRB president Patricia Vance. “This new rating process considers the very same

elements weighed by our raters. The biggest difference is in our ability to scale  this

system as necessary while keeping our services affordable and accessible.”

All games rated via this new process will be tested by ESRB staff shortly after they are

made publicly available to verify that disclosure was complete and accurate. In the event

that content was not fully disclosed during this process,  the rating displayed in the

console or handheld  store will be promptly corrected. In egregious cases of

nondisclosure – which include a deliberate effort to misinform the ESRB – the game and

all of its promotional materials will be removed from the store through which it is being

sold, pending its resubmission to ESRB.

“Our rating system is widely considered to be among the most effective in the world, and

ESRB continues to be an exemplary model of self-regulation,” continued Vance. “We

serve a rapidly growing and evolving industry, and it is incumbent upon us to continually

adapt along with it. This new process for downloadable games helps position ESRB for a

future that promises an ever-expanding market for games while allowing us to continue

empowering parents with the ability to determine which ones are OK for their children to

play.”

About the ESRB Rating System

The ESRB video game ratings consist of two parts. Rating symbols on the front of every

game package sold at retail provide an age recommendation. On the back, next to the

rating, are content descriptors that provide information about  content in the game that

may have triggered the rating or may be of interest or concern to parents.

The follow-up to Topware Interactive’s Two Worlds has been pretty phenomenal.  The flexible combat system, Demon magic system, PAPAK alchemy system, and host of companions, along with countless other customization options and boss encounters certainly makes Two Worlds an immersive RPG experience.  And now there’s some more exciting news, as Topware Interactive has announced the upcoming expansion pack “Pirates of the Flying Fortress”.   This new expansion debuts ahead of the release of the series 3rd installment.

In a recent article by Joystiq.com we’ve learned that the expansion will add some exotic flare, but also new weapons, new enemies, and brand new settings.  You’ll also get weather effects such as thunderstorms and rain, as well as impact-oriented horse armor.  Pirates of the Flying Fortress will be a multi-platform release on the PS3, Xbox 360, Windows, and Mac OS in september.  You can also view the newly launched website here, though there’s not much content up yet.

Latest PS3 Version Hacked to Run Linux

Sony PlayStation 3 supported Linux installation in earlier versions but Linux support was completely lifted by Sony from firmware versions 3.21 onwards. But what are hackers for? ‘Marcan’ a famous console hacker has made it possible to run Linux on PS3 and PS3 slim again!

In PS3 firmware versions earlier than 3.21, there was a feature called ‘OtherOS’ which supported Linux installation. OtherOS is no more available in 3.21 onwards. However it is now made possible to run Linux with a PS3 jailbreak. Marcan has released his software called ‘AsbestOS’ which completely takes over the ‘GameOS’ of PS3 and runs Linux on it. AsbestOS completely wipes GameOS out of memory thus Linux runs in place of GameOS. It is not yet available for an average user but for some curious guys out there, there are binaries and full instructions available on Marcan’s blog.

If you are in a mood to hear some technical language and see Gentoo running on PS3 3.41, this video is for you:

[Marcan's Blog]

PS3 Laptop

What? a PS3 laptop? Yes! Ben Heck had made PS3 laptop by packing a 17″ LCD and a PS3 slim in a single cute case. He never sold the thing commercially but a guy out there got this PS3 laptop in a giveaway contest. Luckily he is not interested in PS3 gaming and is selling it out. Great chance for geeky gamers, bid is open till Jan 05 so you can start new year with this awesome gaming gadget.

Below’s a video demonstration of Ben’s PS3 laptop. Ben has also provided the complete details of his mod on his blog. Gonna bid? Let’s see how much does it sell for!

[eBay via TechnaBob]