Possible Malicious Advertising on Japanese PSN

Earlier today the Japanese PSN store started advertising what seems to be malicious adware. The advertisement in question asks account holders to input their personal contact information in order to claim a prize. It is common knowledge around the internet that services offering you free stuff in return for your contact information are more often than not – a scam.

The ads appear in the What’s New section of the XMB. This is – for many – the main source of Playstation Network news, and could prove disastrous if this advertising holds more evil intent than mere junk mail.

Sony’s PSN was breached just last year in an attack that rendered the popular service veritably useless. It’s not good if we are already seeing weaknesses in their revamped security software(s). However, this isn’t officially false advertising just yet. Sony has not yet officially commented on the issue, and while the general consensus is that this isn’t Sony-made, please take this – as all rumors – with a grain of salt.

PSN Stores was the first to report on this issue. Be sure to check out their video after the jump. It shows the advertising in question.