The hackers that brought Sony, the PlayStation Network, and its users to its knees over the past few weeks are planning a third attack on the console maker in retaliation for the company’s handling of the initial breach, according to a CNET report.
The highly respected technology news site has been told by a source that observes the IRC channel populated by the hackers that the group will make their next attack this weekend on Sony’s website. They intend to copy and publicize the information they take from Sony’s servers, including personal information like customer names, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of them already claim to have access to the servers.
If this attack is successful, it will be the biggest and most devastating blow to Sony to date. It could create mass credit card fraud and ruin the company’s reputation beyond repair.
In a letter delivered two days ago to the US Congress, Sony chairman Kaz Hirai blamed the group Anonymous for the first two attacks on the PSN and Sony Online Entertainment. Hirai claims in the letter that the intruders who hacked Sony’s servers planted a file named "Anonymous" that when opened contained the statement "We are Legion," part of the group’s tagline.
Anonymous denied any involvement when knowledge of the attacks were first made public via a statement and video on YouTube. The group again denied involvement two days ago in their own lettered response to Hirai’s statements.
"If a legitimate and honest investigation…is conducted, Anonymous will not be found liable," read the letter. "While we are a distributed and decentralized group, our ‘leadership’ does not condone credit card theft."
Sony is yet to respond for comment on the threat.
[CNET]
