PlayStation network still down but Xbox back up after ‘Lizard Squad’ hack attack
THE PlayStation network remains down two days after hackers launched their latest attack. But there’s good news at last for some Xbox users.
MICROSOFT’S online network for its Xbox gaming console has been restored to nearly full service after an alleged co-ordinated Christmas Day hack brought it and Sony’s PlayStation network down.
The PlayStation network remained down, while Xbox’s service returned to all except three of its applications during the day. The disruption started on Christmas Day, PlayStation and Xbox said on their Twitter feeds, adding that they were working to restore service.
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Gamers have been swift to voice their displeasure on social media.
Just waiting #PSNDown @AskPlayStation pic.twitter.com/nSQ1ZLy75Y
— Crytycal (@CrytycalPSN) December 26, 2014A message posted to the Xbox status page early on Friday upgraded service to “limited” — a sign that support teams were making inroads in fixing the problem.
A new Twitter user going by the name Lizard Squad took credit for the disruption, claiming it had the “nation on strings”.
The name is the same used by a group of hackers that has targeted Sony in the past, though it was not possible to verify the Twitter account’s authenticity.
The account did not return requests for comment and only became active on Wednesday.
Sony was hit by a sophisticated hacking attack this month that stole massive amounts of data from its servers.
The US has blamed North Korea for the attack, with the reclusive state seen as furious at the release of Sony film The Interview, which parodies leader Kim Jong-un.
After initially cancelling the film’s December 25 release, Sony backtracked and brought it out to a small number of US theatres. The film was also made available online — including through the Xbox console and, soon, the PlayStation.
On December 26, Sony released this Tweet:
We're aware that some users are having issues logging into PSN - engineers are investigating
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) December 25, 2014A day after the difficulties began, @AskPlayStation posted:
Our engineers are continuing to work hard to resolve the network issues users have experienced today. Thanks for your continued patience!
— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) December 26, 2014And a Tweet posted around 9.50am AEDT suggested the problems were ongoing:
@zac_zac789 There is no ETA yet, we will keep you posted.
— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) December 26, 2014Analysts said a direct connection with the Sony Pictures attack was unlikely, and that the latest hack was probably the work of fame-seeking amateurs.
“The timing suggests that this is an attack that we can put in the category of adolescents who are looking for a bit of glory,” said Pierre Samson of the European Circle Security and Information Systems.
He said thousands of similar hacks are launched daily, although they are not always effective.
A major cyber attack on PlayStation in 2011 saw personal details from 77 million customers stolen, preventing customers from playing online and forcing Sony to disable the network for more than three weeks.
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