Tom Warren Suggests PSN Outage Might Be Due to DDoS Attack Amid Sony’s Silence

A significant outage affecting the PlayStation Network (PSN) has been ongoing since February 7, marking one of the most extensive service interruptions in recent memory. While brief disruptions to online platforms are common, the current PSN situation has stretched for nearly 24 hours with no definitive timeline for resolution.

The Verge’s senior editor, Tom Warren, suggested in a Bluesky post that this prolonged outage could potentially be linked to a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. Notably, Xbox faced a significant DDoS incident over the Christmas holiday, raising questions about whether Sony is currently experiencing a similar threat.

without Sony commenting, nobody knows why PSN has been down for 19 hours and counting. But Microsoft did block a “staggering” DDoS attack on Azure Xbox infrastructure over the Christmas holidays, so it’s possible Sony is dealing with something similar — Tom Warren (@tomwarren.co.uk) 2025-02-08T18:08:34.883Z

The Speculation Around DDoS Attacks on Sony

Recognizing Patterns in Gaming-Related Attacks

Xbox game pass with the Starfield keyart — Image Credit: Katarina Cimbaljevic

It may seem surprising, but the ongoing activity reinforces that there is motivation for orchestrated DDoS attacks against online gaming services. The recent targeting of Xbox underscores the potential for similar threats to PSN. Although it’s still uncertain whether the current PSN crisis stems from a DDoS attack, history suggests that attackers might shift their focus to other platforms if their original target proves resilient.

This recent incident isn’t the first time such a threat has emerged around the holidays. The infamous DDoS attacks during Christmas 2014 targeted both PSN and Xbox Live, leading to widespread service disruptions. While the motive behind the February 7 outage remains unclear, it’s worth noting that previous patterns of attack tend to crop up erratically rather than on specific holidays.

Assessing DDoS Attacks as a Potential Cause

Understanding the Implications Beyond Temporary Service Disruptions

A sad Astro Bot picks a flower next to a PS5 Pro. — Image Credit: Lee D’Amato

Given this context, Tom Warren’s theory makes for a plausible explanation for the current PSN outage. A lack of communication from Sony suggests that if this is not a substantial issue, they would likely have already implemented interim solutions. Reliable service is paramount for online networks, especially as many users expressed dissatisfaction with PSN’s account linking policies in 2024.

If the ongoing outage is indeed due to a DDoS attack, it’s likely that Sony will need to enhance its security measures moving forward. Should it emerge that Microsoft’s defenses successfully thwarted similar attacks, this could further underline the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies in the gaming industry. The gaming community eagerly awaits a swift resolution to restore reliable access to the PlayStation Network.

For updates, refer to the insights shared by Tom Warren/Bluesky.

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