77 million of Sony PlayStation accounts were hacked: credit cards data stolen

77 million accounts were compromised in a massive data breach incurred by Sony Corp. The company this week unveiled the fact of hacking of its video game online network that led to the theft of names, addresses and possibly credit card data belonging to 77 million user accounts.

The breach became known for Sony on April 19 which prompted the company to shut down the network. However, Sony did not uncover the news to the public until Tuesday.

In the US PlayStation blog Sony reported that an "illegal and unauthorized person" obtained people's names, addresses, email address, birth dates, usernames, passwords, logins, security questions and more.

A Sony spokesman said it took "several days of forensic investigation" after learning of the breach before the company knew consumers' data had been compromised.

Alan Paller, research director of the SANS Institute, said the breach may be the largest theft of identity data information on record.