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Anonymous takes down PlayStation website; UPDATE: Anon explains attack on Sony

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unavailableYesterday, Anonymous warned Sony that it’s the latest to incur the group’s wrath. The company’s legal crusade against PS3 hacker George “GeoHot” Hotz and others has gotten the attention of the hacktivist group, which is making a name for itself when it comes to DDoS attacks in recent months. There was also a fraction of the group (or very possibly, detractors trying to cultivate some negative attention) who threatened Sony employees’ family members. While we’re suspect of that particular detail, there’s no denying Anonymous wasn’t bluffing about it other plans for Sony.

PlayStation Lifestyle reports that Anonymous has been busy crippling various Sony sites, including Store.PlayStation.com and PlayStation.com. Sony.com was also subject to site failure, but at press time was accessible. Regardless of intermittent availability, Sony isn’t taking Anonymous’ attacks laying down: It appears that the company has hired hacker-prevention team Prolexic Technologies to thwart the groups’ efforts.

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The firm describes itself as offering “class-leading Network Protection Services…and an availability of channel partners to ensure that the most advanced and reliable DDoS mitigation services in the world are easily accessible to online businesses.” The company claims to work with various sectors, including members of the airline and online gaming industries.

While various Sony websites are experiencing their fair share of technical difficulties, Prolexic may have been moderately successful at (perhaps temporarily) heading Anonymous off. An Anonymous chat room revealed that several members had come up against Prolexic’s defense:

“Prolexic is holding up…I doubt we can DDoS Prolexic…you won’t kill Prolexic with l**c…it’s getting harder to DDoS store.ps.com.”

PlayStation Lifestyle, which had come across and entered the Anonymous IRC, was quickly tracked down by Anon members and given additional details on its fight against Sony. A member by the handle “Takei” admitted to being “a current driving force behind SonyRecon” but would not give any additional background on his role within the group or operation. He did say he believes the FBI, Sony, and Prolexic are keeping a very close eye on the group’s chat room as well as Internet activity. But Anonymous isn’t discouraged – in fact, it might just take on Sony’s new defense team. Takei warned, “Well, if I had to put money on it…I’d say, Prolexic is going down like a two dollar wh*** in a Nevada chicken ranch.” He also revealed Anonymous isn’t done with Sony and that this was only “a simple salute to let them know, we’re coming.”


[UPDATE]

Anonymous has released a message regarding its attack against Sony. Take a look here.

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Molly McHugh
Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
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