* For eligibility for the welcome back programme consumers must be an account holder on 20 April 2011.

* Specific details about these offers and eligibility requirements will be posted as the services go live.

* All existing PSN registrants have 30 days from when the welcome back programme goes live to redeem their content.

* Access to the 30 days free PS Plus subscription is only available for those countries where PS Plus is offered.

* You will have access to the PS Plus content planned for May for 30 days.

* Access to the free games and exclusive features finishes at the end of the 30-day subscription period. Anything you buy with exclusive discounts, (like) dynamic themes and premium avatars are yours to keep forever.

* For Germany, InFamous and Dead Nation will be replaced with Super Stardust HD and Hustle Kings in the selection of PS3 games.

* For Germany, Pursuit Force and Killzone Liberation will be replaced with JUNGLE PARTY and Everybody's Golf 2 in the selection of PSP games.

* Killzone Liberation will not offer online gameplay functionality

-Games: enjoy loads of PlayStation Network games, minis and PS one classics plus premium avatars and dynamic themes, all worth at least ￡200* a year. You'll also get exclusive PlayStation Store discounts and early access to demos and beta trials. Content is updated every month on PlayStation Store, so there will always be something new to enjoy.

-Full Game Trial: try before you buy with a one-hour trial of selected PlayStation Network titles and Blu-ray Disc releases.

-Automatic Download: receive the latest PS3 system software updates, all your game updates and even game demos without lifting a finger.

-New Feature - Online storage for game saves: effortlessly store up to 150MB of game save back up data and access it on other PlayStation 3 systems. Please read the full details of this feature at eu.playstation.com.

* Approximate value based on average RRP of available content, excluding discounts, calculated using exchange rates as at May 2010. Actual value may vary. Access to some content, excluding discounted content, terminates at the end of the subscription period.

Q.1 Which countries and regions are you restarting services?

51 countries excluding Japan and Asia (N. America, Central America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East)

Q.2 What was wrong with the system and/or the organizational structure and how did you resolve this issue?

The cause of the breach was a highly sophisticated criminal cyber attack. We are continuing to investigate this criminal intrusion. Our investigation found that the attacker(s) exploited vulnerability in the server system which manages data on PlayStation Network and Qriocity.
Working closely with several outside respected security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures that strengthen safeguards against unauthorized activity, and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company has made considerable enhancements to the data security, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring, penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls. The company also added a variety of other measures to the network infrastructure including an early-warning system for unusual activity patterns that could signal an attempt to compromise the network.

Q.3 Have you encrypted ALL personal data including name, address, birth date, credit card data, password, etc.?

The credit card data was and will of course remain encrypted. We have strengthened the hash level of passwords as well.
See above for additional security measure for the whole system.

Q.4 Are you sure that the personal information stored in the current database won’t be hacked again?

In addition to working closely with several outside respected security firms, the company has made considerable enhancements to the data security, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring, penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls. While we’re confident the restored network provides greater protection, the growing sophistication and frequency of cyber attacks by unapologetic, anonymous hackers will continue to be a threat against government, corporations and consumers.
For details about the security measures, please see above.

Q.5 How can users delete their personal information immediately?

They can contact customer service in their region.

Q.6 Are you still on schedule for the full service restoration (within this month)?


The company expects to have the services fully restored by the end of May 2011.

Q.7 Any update on the unauthorized use of credit card/ personal data from the users?


As of today, the major credit card companies have not reported that they have seen any increase in the number of fraudulent credit card transactions as a result of the attack, and they have not reported to us any fraudulent transactions that they believe are a direct result of the illegal attack.

Q.8 I installed the latest system software update but did not receive the system e-mail for changing the password and cannot use my account. Why?

(If you registered a wrong e-mail address or the e-mail of another person) As alerted on our website, the new PS3 software update requires all PS3 users to change their password. Your password can only be changed on your own PS3 (or the PS3 on which your PSN account is activated), as an added layer of security.
If you have never downloaded any content using your account on the console, a system email will be sent to the registered sign-in ID (email address) associated with your account once you first attempt to sign-in to PSN. If you registered with an e-mail that has since expired or is invalid, you will not be able to change your password.

If you are using another person’s e-mail address or if you are using a wrong e-mail address, please have a valid e-mail address ready and contact your local customer service before proceeding to change the password.

Q.9 Will I be able to use my account again if I contact the customer service?

The local customer service will be able to help you in changing the sign-in ID and resetting the password once we are able to identify that the person calling is the owner of the account.