Sony Online Entertainment Restores Game ServicesFollow

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT RESTORES GAME SERVICES

Services Return Following Implementation of Increased Security Measures; Consumer Data Protection a Full-Time, Company-Wide Commitment

SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2011 - Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) announced today that restoration of its game services will begin today. The phased restoration will include the return of nearly all of SOE's portfolio of online games, the reinstatement of SOE's game forums and websites, and added functionality to require players to reset their passwords.
Increased Security Measures

As the result of a criminal cyber-attack on the company's network, SOE shut down its game services in order for the company to undertake an investigation and incorporate rigorous enhancements to the overall security of the network infrastructure. SOE worked with several outside respected security firms during the course of implementing significant security measures that strengthen safeguards against unauthorized activity and provide customers with greater protection of their personal information.

SOE made enhancements to overall data security as well, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring, performing new penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption.

"Our main priority is the safety and security of our customers' personal information," said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. "We are making consumer data protection a full-time, company-wide commitment, and have applied enhanced security technologies so that our customers can feel protected and confident about playing our games."

Hirai added, "We are committed to delivering secure and entertaining games for players of all ages and thank each of our players for their patience and support during this difficult time."

SOE will also be offering its customers a "Welcome Back" program that includes special game content and services to all registered Station Account holders. As part of this program, players will receive 30 days of additional game time plus one day for each day SOE's services were down. The details of this program are available at www.soe.com/securityupdate/welcomeback.
For more information about the SOE network intrusion and restoration, please visit http://www.soe.com/securityupdate.

http://everquest.station.sony.com/?CID=sensory:play:brand_bin:everquest:scom&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sony.com%2Findex.php

To change password, etc

I changed my password to my account and now im getting invalid password even after I tried password recovery and used hte one they sent me. Awesome.

Really? That's the best they can do? Wow..just wow.. really makes me think twice about wanting to come back. Looks like after all the crap that just happened they'd go out of there way to make old subscribers want to come back..

I figured i would try them again....and now i get the message:

Sorry the number you have reached ius not in service....blah blah blah

What the heck? I just spoke with them five minutes before my lasdt post here.

I changed mine from the eq launcher last night. Had no problem logging into game, though I did get an error message about the change.

What I did have a problem with was the keyboard. I hit "I" for inventory can started to cast a spell. After 5 or six attempts it came up.