Sony PS network targeted in attack

Sony’s PlayStation network was taken offline "due to a distributed denial of service attack", the company has said.

In a blog post, Sony said both the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network are now back online.

The post said: “The networks were taken offline due to a distributed denial of service attack. We have seen no evidence of any intrusion to the network and no evidence of any unauthorised access to users’ personal information.”

Sony said: “Like other major networks around the world, the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network have been impacted by an attempt to overwhelm our network with artificially high traffic.

“Although this has impacted your ability to access our network and enjoy our services, no personal information has been accessed.”

Sony said that in light of the issue the networks will not undergo the scheduled maintenance which was planned for today.

Meanwhile, a Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman said an American Airlines flight carrying Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley from Dallas to San Diego was diverted to Phoenix at about the same time as the attack.