No Witty Gags This Time.

Everything looked so good for PlayStation 3 going into 2011 but ever since the PlayStation 3 was hacked earlier in the year there's been a storm brewing behind scenes. It's culminated in a press release from Sony today confirming that hackers have managed to obtain sensitive data from the 75 million PlayStation Network accounts currently registered. That breach includes everything from names to e-mail addresses and passwords. Sony cannot outright confirm credit/debit card information is secure either. In other words: it's a catastrophic screw-up.

"We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network," Sony stated in a message to PlayStation Network and Qriocity users on the PlayStation Blog. The company has confirmed its currently trying to send the same information via email.

The intrusion forced Sony to shut down the PlayStation Network and a hire a security firm to recognise the extent of the attacks. Additionally Sony promised it's taking steps to ensure the security of the network in the future, but that's not going to comfort those people whose data has been compromised as part of the attack. Sony's also added that it is going to "aggressively track down" those users responsible for the breach.

Secondary to the account information leak, Sony has said that it's working to get the PlayStation Network online within a week. That feels like small news in comparison to the main story though.

We recommend you take steps to ensure the safety of all your online passwords and check your bank statements rigorously over the next few days. There's no real evidence of any financial theft directly attached to this breach, but if you're still worried you should contact your bank and request a replacement card.