Can't Catch a Break: Sony Shuts Down Websites After Another Data Breach

Already reeling from hacking attacks on its online PlayStation network, Sony Corporation SNE shut down more Internet services in Canada, Indonesia and Thailand Wednesday after another data breach. According to a Bloomberg report, "Intruders stole the names and e-mail addresses of about 2,000 customers at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB's Canadian website, while a site in Thailand may have been modified to help send fraudulent e-mails, spokesman Atsuo Omagari said. The company also suspended a site in Indonesia because of a suspected attack and found Web codes for the Japanese music unit were stolen, he said." This incident follows a recent announcement by Sony that its online PlayStation network had been breached, and customer information was possibly exposed. It's still unknown whether credit card information was released. Though shares rallied nearly 5% to $27.90 Tuesday, Sony stock is still down considerably from March highs of $36. The Bloomberg report notes that "The Canadian site, which isn't connected to Sony Ericsson's servers, was disabled after the security breach was detected yesterday, the mobile-phone company said. Sony said it is investigating signs the Thai site was accessed to conduct so-called “phishing,” a scam where people send legitimate-looking e-mails to steal personal information from victims. Sony's music affiliate in Indonesia has suspended part of its services since May 21 to check whether content has been altered by an intruder, Omagari said." Some are wondering whether this attack and the PlayStation breach are connected. Sony spokesman Omagari notes that “Sony is investigating whether the attacks discovered in the past week are related to each other. Sony hasn't found evidence to link those attacks to last month's intrusion into the PlayStation Network.” Sony is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, and sale of various kinds of electronic equipment, instruments, and devices for consumer, professional and industrial markets, as well as game consoles and software.