If You Build It They Will Hack It! (Article Review #4)

Article Title:
Sony locks down online accounts after security breach

Article Author:
Christopher MacManus

Article Publication Date:
October 11, 2011

URL: 
Sony Locks Down Online Accounts after security breach

Article Summary:

Sony has created a gaming platform revered by many has been successfully hacked and almost 60,000 users were exposed.  Sony not only must withstand a tarnished image regarding security but issue free access to Playstation Plus for a month.  Not to mention the $1M it shelled out to cover fraudulent purchase.

Relevance to Class:

Once again an online gaming environment has been compromised.  During the architecture of such websites security must be considered on the same level as user experience.  A pleasurable user experience that entices people to spend real money, should be designed with a strong security wall in order to maintain the trust of its users.

Key Quote:

“The sheer scope of the recent hacking scandal, which compromised the personal information of millions of gamers--was a huge smudge on the public perception of the gaming network. In the damage-control department, Sony issued multiple apologies and the promise of a strengthened network, along with giving affected users a $1 million identity theft insurance policy and free games. It also gave all PSN members affected by the outage access to PlayStation Plus for a month.”