Gamers Beware. Sony Announces Security Breach on Play Station
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gamers beware. Attorney General Peter Kilmartin is warning Rhode Islanders of potential identity theft after Sony announced its system was hacked earlier this month.
According to a press release from Kilmartin’s office, the breach in security took place between April 17 and April 19 and the personal information of more than 77 million users throughout the world has been compromised.
Sony has said that it cannot rule out the possibility that credit card data was taken, but there is no evidence yet. The company has confirmed that hackers stole personal data, including name, address (city, state, and zip code), country, email address, birth date, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Scam artists and identity thefts are very sophisticated,” They can extract identifying information and gain access to financial information based on your buying patterns, username and password choices,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. “Consumers need to be more and more vigilant and tech savvy to avoid being a victim of these security breaches.”
The Attorney General’s office has offered a collection of tips to help prevent identity theft.
Change computer and website usernames and passwords
Do not follow a link to a secure site from an email; always enter the URL manually.
Do not enter your bank account number, social security number, credit card number or any other personal information in a web page that you were linked to through an email or text message.
A legitimate financial institution or entity will not ask you to provide personal identifying information in an email or ask you to verify personal identifying information in an email.
If you are worried about your account, do not respond to the email, text, or automated call. Instead, call your financial institution or entity directly from the phone number you have from your personal records, bank statement, phone book or Internet search.
Use a phishing filter.
Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software; use a firewall and update them regularly.
Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them.
If you suspect that your password on a website has been compromised, call the company immediately to change your password.
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