Sony Resuming PlayStation Network, Qriocity Services

Sony will begin a phased recommencement of its PlayStation Network and Qriocity services on Sunday, more than three weeks after a cyber attack that resulted in the loss of individualised information on more than 100 million customers.

The two services will initially glucinium available for users in North America (where the service could resume late Sat), Europe, the Mid East, Commonwealth of Australi and New Zealand. Religious service in Japan and Asia will return at a later time eventually to be announced.

Front services to proceeds will be online gaming, playback of already rented video recording, "Music Unlimited" online audio streaming, access to third-party services like Netflix and Hulu, PlayStation Dwelling and friends features such as chat. Full service is expected to summarize by the end of May.

Users Must Alteration Passwords

PlayStation users will be prompted to download a software update when they first connect to the network. The version 3.61 update will ask users to change their password. Once changed, users wish be able to check in to their accounts.

The login password for each account was among the data stolen when an unbeknown drudge or hackers attacked Sony's San Diego data center on April 19. Unusual information leaked enclosed the name calling and addresses for registered PlayStation Web and Qriocity users, along with their birth dates, e-mail addresses and other personal info.

Later, Sony discovered a like attack on its Sony Online Entertainment network, which serves PC users. That service will also resume worldwide on Dominicus.

The entire attack netted personal information on more than 100 million users, fashioning it one of the largest ever famed leaks of consumer data.

Three Weeks to Rebuild

Sony has fatigued much of the past three weeks analyzing the hack and rebuilding its net to better guard against next attacks.

The upgrades have brought "considerable enhancements to the data security, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additive software monitoring and insight and vulnerability examination, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls," Sony said in a statement. Information technology has also added software to provide an early warning of system activity that could bespeak an attack has taken place.

Throughout the period the PlayStation Network has remained offline, depriving comfort owners of the ability to play online.

"I can't thank you enough for your patience and support during this time," said Kaz Hirai, executive lieutenant president of Sony and head of its gaming division, in a statement. "We know even the most loyal customers have been frustrated by this process and are dying to use their Sony products and services again. We are taking aggressive action at all levels to address the concerns that were raised by this incident, and are qualification consumer information protection a regular, company wide commitment."

For more data connected the outage, check out PC World's PlayStation Network Hack Timeline. See also "PlayStation Network Certificate Rift: A Survival Guide."

Martyn Williams covers Nihon and general technology breaking tidings for The IDG Word Service. Keep abreast Martyn on Twitter at @martyn_williams. Martyn's e-chain armour cover is martyn_williams@idg.com