Sony has begun resetting the passwords of an undisclosed number of PlayStation Network accounts following what it claims is "irregular activity" - but is silent on whether said activity constitutes an active security breach.
The PlayStation Network, or PSN, platform is shared across all Sony's PlayStation-branded products, including the PS3, PS4, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Mobile devices. As well as providing on-line multiplayer services, PSN is used to buy games and other downloadable content - meaning it stores credit card numbers from its users.
In 2011 the service was hit by a massive data breach that saw the personal details, including credit card details, of millions of its users stolen by attackers who had penetrated the company's defences. The breach was serious enough to force Sony to shut down much of the PlayStation Network while it investigated the attack, and resulted in numerous fines against the company.
Now, following smaller-scale notifications to selected users over the past month, Sony is warning of another potential issue with an email to a number of its customers warning that their passwords have been reset.
"The Sony Entertainment Network team routinely monitors for any irregular activity, and if such activity is detected, we may sometimes reset passwords of affected accounts to protect consumers and their account information," the message to customers reads. "Your account password was recently reset as part of this process and you will need to create a new password the next time you access your account using the 'Forgot Your Password' option on the Sign in screen."
The email does not, however, make reference to a specific attack, and at the time of writing appears to have only been sent to a sub-set of the company's customers - but given Sony's previous security problems with the service, coupled with the high-profile launch of the PS4 late last month, gamers will be eager for a more detailed statement from the company.
Andoid Games
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