GeekSugar

Sony Unsure If Your PSN Credit Card Numbers Were Stolen: How to Protect Yourself [Updated]

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:34:26 PDT

Update: Sony has confirmed that PlayStation Network users' personal information has been compromised (including names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, and email accounts), so be sure you take the necessary steps to protect yourself from phishing scams, change all of your passwords, and alert your banks for potential fraud.

You may have noticed by now that the PlayStation Network is down. There's no time frame as to when it will be back up and running, and Sony is still unclear as to the nature of the "external intrusion." Another thing Sony is unsure of: whether or not your credit card numbers have been stolen during the hack and subsequent outage.

Keeping your credit clean is important, so having a hacker go wild in your name could spell trouble for you down the line. I asked credit expert Emily Co of SavvySugar what gamers can do to protect themselves while Sony investigates the outage. Here are three ways you can keep your credit safe from possible fraud:

Monitor charges: The most basic thing you can do is to keep an eye on credit card charges. If you see any suspicious activity going on then it's time to call to your bank or credit card company.
Give banks a heads up: Be proactive and give your bank or credit card company a heads up on the situation. This way, your bank knows to be on the lookout for suspicious charges, and you'll be protected if things do go awry. Pro tip: it's best to use a credit card for all online charges (verses a debit card), since credit cards offer the most protection against fraud.

One last tip after the break.

Catch Up With HBO Shows on Your PS3

GeekSugar — Tue, 25 May 2010 10:30:42 PDT

The PlayStation 3 is a multifunctional console that not only lets you play games, but also watch your favorite films via Netflix streaming. Taking things a step further, the PlayStation Store gives you the option to download new movies, TV programs, and games. Now you can even watch your favorite HBO shows right from your console!

Sony announced a partnership with HBO today, which will make some of the best programs on cable TV available to download directly from your PS3 via the PlayStation Store. Shows like True Blood (seasons one and two), Entourage, and The Wire are available now, plus, you can catch up on old Sex and the City episodes ahead of the second film premiere this Friday.

New shows and episodes will be available each week, adding to the already mountainous collection of content available in the store today. The PS3 is quickly becoming the ultimate home theater accessory!

How Many Hours a Week Do You Game?

GeekSugar — Sun, 02 May 2010 07:00:04 PDT

Although my job sometimes requires me to play video games (tough, I know), I find that my game time decreases during the Spring and Summer months. Maybe it's the warmer weather, or the fact that it's traditionally a dry spell in the gaming world, but I'd say that I log a good three to five hours a week playing video games; hardly any of that time is spent playing online.

But a recent study shows I'm in the minority. According to the report, out of the 20 million gamers that have online accounts, most Xbox Live gamers spend an average of seven hours a week playing games, while PC gamers log in six hours, and only 5.5 hours for PS3 gamers. Although that may not seem like a lot, after you factor in work, sleep, and errands, it certainly seems to take up a big chunk of your free time. Well, for me anyway. It got me wondering - how many hours of your week is devoted to playing video games?

Source: Flickr user Dave_B_

The Great PSN and PS3 Blackout: What You Did With Your Time

GeekSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:30:48 PST

You may have noticed an abnormal amount of geeks wandering the streets with their eyes glazed over yesterday - Sony warned gamers to keep their earlier-generation PS3s turned off after some faulty software led to a PlayStation Network meltdown, which then began affecting the consoles themselves. I asked you via Twitter to tell me what you were doing with all that extra time, and your answers were pretty entertaining.

Some of you got outside, some of you played games on another console (lucky you), and others, well, they stomped their feet in frustration. Find out what a few of you did during the great PSN/PS3 blackout when you

I May Not Understand Flower Yet, But It Sure Is Pretty

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:39 PST

Even the PlayStation Blog is having a hard time explaining what exactly the game Flower is all about; luckily, they've provided a video of game play to show rather than tell. The game, which will be on the PlayStation network, has stunning graphics, and that, mixed with my gender-mandated love of flowers, makes me think hey, this release on February 12? Sounds like a nice play on a Valentine's Day gift, if you know what I'm sayin'.

Still confused about Flower? Check out its Wikipedia page.

Watchmen to Launch Prequel Video Game in Early March

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:00:35 PDT

You've heard me say it a thousand times before: movie tie-in titles usually suck. So when I heard about the Watchmen game, I held my breath bracing for the fallout. But thankfully, I hear this will be a different kind of tie-in. Available as a series of prequel episodes downloading on the Xbox, PS3, and PC, the game takes place before the graphic novel picks up, when Nite Owl and Rorschach are fighting crime in the shadows.

One of the highlights is the fact that Len Wein (co-creator of DC's Swamp Thing and Marvel's Wolverine characters) is on board to provide the games dialogue. Said to be available around the time the movie hits theaters, it does come with a warning: this series will be rated M, so you might want to think twice before letting your kids in on the action. I'm definitely keeping an eye on this one (and here's to hoping it stays true to one of the best graphic novels ever), so stay tuned for more news to come!

Source

My Coveted WipEout HD Delayed Due to Failed Epilepsy Tests

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:01:01 PDT

I was looking forward to seeing WipEout HD at this year's E3 Summit (since I have had this futuristic racer on my wish list for months), and was kinda bummed when it wasn't shown during Sony's panel discussions. We were told it's because the sleek game was being "packed with extra features," and while that may be true, what might be more true is that the title is failing epileptic seizure tests left, right and center!

The game, which is packed with flashy neon lights and fast moving tracks, has had troubles making it past "go" with testers saying that Wipeout HD "fails the epilepsy tests so much that it has to be re-engineered." No final date was set for WipEout HD's release on the Playstation Network, but Sony Europe's CEO David Reeves says he "thinks" it will hit the market by the end of the year. Bummer!

Source

Capcom Digital Day: An Early Peek at This Year's Hit Games

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:30:37 PDT

I was lucky enough to hit up the Capcom Digital Day on Monday to get a sneak peek at Capcom's gaming babies due to show up on store shelves this year. I even got to play a few that I was looking forward to, and some that I wasn't expecting to love - but did! All I have to say is, these people know how to throw a geeky party: games, food, chips and goodie bags? Sign me up! The word of the day should have been Retro since a majority of the games were close to our hearts from hours spent in the arcade - our fave 90's games reborn to fit today's hi-def diet. Yum!

Lost Planet, Colonies
One of the biggest titles to show at Digital Day was Lost Planet, Colonies. This action shooter was intense! Not only were all the bloggers lined up to test their hand at the game, but they kept coming back for more. One of the coolest deets I learned was that you can play as the Akrid (the big scary spider monster) in this title. Normally, you're trying to take down the scary things, but now you can turn the tables on the dudes with the guns. Lost Planet, Colonies ($30) is due May 27 for Xbox 360 and your PC.

There are plenty more titles to see when you

read more Wii Love Golf Due out in July on the Wii, this colorful and fun golfing game wasn't available for us to demo, but it's one I'm looking forward to playing anyway! Touted as being more realistic than Wii Sports, Wii Love Golf turns your Wiimote into a full set of clubs. Perfect for the player looking for more of a challenge, weather conditions, dips and rises in the greens, even the way you flick your wrist factor into your game. Plunder If you like real time strategy games and pirates, then you'll dig Plunder. Available this Summer on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and your PC, this multiplayer title is super fun 'cause you get to raid other people's forts, take down their ships and commandeer their supplies, all while maintaining safety on your boats and shores. Savvy? Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 In this arcade shooter, the point is to. . .well, shoot! Like in those old school arcade games, just keep firing away at the enemy. With multiplayer action, the game ups the ante, making it more difficult as you add more players. And that's pretty smart. Wolf of the Battlefield is due out this Spring on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 points, and the Playstation Network for $10. Street Fighter II Super Turbo HD Remix Quite a title, huh? It's the Street Fighter you remember and love, but way nicer to look at. All 17 Street Fighter characters are back and drawn by the same artists that brought you the original. It sure was a trip to play one of my bowling alley staples after so long! Look for Street Fighter II Super Turbo HD this Summer on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Network.

View 5 Photos ›

Daily Tech: Sony PSN Is Finally Restored

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 May 2011 09:53:56 PDT

The PlayStation Network is back online - Dvice
5 useful pet apps for Android and iOS - Unplggd
Michael Bay offers cash prize for finding "The Twins" in Transformers 3 - The Mary Sue
Talk back: your thoughts on last night's Game of Thrones - PopCandy
First thoughts on the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook - TechCrunch

Daily Tech: PSN Has Been Hacked Again

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 May 2011 09:52:48 PDT

Might want to change your PSN passwords: it's been hacked again - CrunchGear
Watch: news reporter interrupted by camel - Urlesque
A Lego Super 8 movie projector - Unplggd
7 technologies that will turn us into Borgs by 2021 - Dvice
Comic-lovers' website of the day: Trickster - The Mary Sue
An action figure museum in Oklahoma - PopCandy