Sony PlayStation Network is coming back online

15 May 2011

Sony has confirmed that its PlayStation Network is gradually coming back online, starting in the US. Users need to update the firmware and change their passwords.

The PlayStation Network was taken offline in recent weeks following a devastating cyber attack on Sony’s servers that saw hackers access information on over 77m users. The Sony Online Network (SOE) was also hit in an attack and a further 25m users’ details were accessed, including 24,000 credit and debit card details.

Sony senior director in charge of communications and social media Patrick Seybold said: “Thank you for your patience and encouragement over the last few weeks. You can now update the firmware on your PS3 and change your password. Kazuo Hirai just announced that we have begun the phased restoration by region of some of the services, starting with online multiplayer functionality.

“Please note that these services will take a bit of time to be turned on and rolled out to the whole country. The process has begun and some states are being turned on now, so please be patient as we reach your city and state.

“We’ll be updating the map below as service comes online in individual states. It will take several hours to restore PSN throughout the entire country, so please keep checking back for the latest updates. In the meantime, now’s a great time to get your PS3’s firmware updated, which is required to get online.”

PSN restart

 

 

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com