• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

PS4 Users Say a Text Message Hack Is Causing Their Consoles to Crash

By
Erin Corbett
Erin Corbett
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erin Corbett
Erin Corbett
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 14, 2018, 1:50 PM ET

Multiple PlayStation 4 users are reporting that a PSN text message exploit is causing their consoles to crash, according to Endgadget.

Users have discussed the issue on the r/PS4 Reddit board, where they say they are receiving messages to their consoles through the console’s messaging application, Kotaku reported. Some users said that a factory reset of the device might erase the message and fix the problem, but others said this didn’t work and suggested deleting the message from the PlayStation mobile app, or logging into the account from an internet browser.

In order to protect your hardware from this kind of attack, users are encouraged to change their message settings to receive messages from “friends only” or “no one” under Personal Info/Messages, according to Polygon. The attack has been compared to other text exploits in mobile platforms where users receive a message with a string of characters that can shut down the device. In this case, one user said they received a message containing just a question mark in a box, according to Kotaku.

Neither Sony nor PlayStation have officially confirmed the attack. Fortune has reached out to Sony and PlayStation for comment, and will update this story in the event that they respond.

About the Author
By Erin Corbett
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

AIIntuit
How Intuit’s Chief AI Officer supercharged the company’s emerging technologies teams—and why not every company should follow his lead
By John KellDecember 5, 2025
23 minutes ago
Sarandos
Big TechMedia
Netflix’s bombshell deal to buy Warner Bros. brings Batman and Harry Potter to the big red streamer and infuriates theater owners and the Ellisons
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 5, 2025
25 minutes ago
SuccessCareers
Elon Musk and Bill Gates warn that AI will kill all jobs within 20 years. ‘That’s not what we’re seeing,’ LinkedIn exec says
By Orianna Rosa RoyleDecember 5, 2025
42 minutes ago
A stack of gold bars.
Personal Financegold prices
Current price of gold as of December 5, 2025
By Danny BakstDecember 5, 2025
1 hour ago
Trump
Personal FinanceHealth Insurance
Trump wants more health savings accounts. A catch: they can’t pay insurance premiums
By Amanda Seitz and KFF Health NewsDecember 5, 2025
1 hour ago
Steve Milton is the CEO of Chain, a culinary-led pop-culture experience company founded by B.J. Novak and backed by Studio Ramsay Global.
CommentaryFood and drink
Affordability isn’t enough. Fast-casual restaurants need a fandom-first approach
By Steve MiltonDecember 5, 2025
1 hour ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Two months into the new fiscal year and the U.S. government is already spending more than $10 billion a week servicing national debt
By Eleanor PringleDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
‘Godfather of AI’ says Bill Gates and Elon Musk are right about the future of work—but he predicts mass unemployment is on its way
By Preston ForeDecember 4, 2025
23 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nearly 4 million new manufacturing jobs are coming to America as boomers retire—but it's the one trade job Gen Z doesn't want
By Emma BurleighDecember 4, 2025
24 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant 'state of anxiety' out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
23 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs and the $38 trillion national debt: Kevin Hassett sees ’big reductions’ in deficit while Scott Bessent sees a ‘shrinking ice cube’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
22 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Health
Bill Gates decries ‘significant reversal in child deaths’ as nearly 5 million kids will die before they turn 5 this year
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.