Sony will begin a phased reactivation of the PlayStation Network this week, more than 10 days after the global service was shut down because hackers gained access to personal information on more than 77 million users.
The names, e-mail addresses and passwords of more than 1 million users of the gaming network in the Middle East were compromised in what is believed to be one of the largest breaches of online privacy to date.
Tim Stokes, the sales and marketing director for PlayStation Sony Gulf, said the company could not say exactly when the global network would be back online, but he expected gaming, music and video services to be turned on "within the week".
"I think when the company is confident, everything will go back online. Account details will be one of the areas that we need to be sure won't be susceptible to attacks," Mr Stokes said.
The security of Sony's PlayStation Network, which offers online games, movies and TV shows, was breached between April 17 and April 19, the company said last week.
The network has 650,000 users in Saudi Arabia and 250,000 in the Emirates.
Sony estimates it has a total of 1,093,000 account holders in the Middle East - 27,000 of them with credit card details online.
The company said yesterday that since the security breach, it had implemented measures to provide greater protection of personal information.
One of the first services to be restored will be the ability to change personal details and passwords, the company said.
Also in the first phase of network reactivation will be online gaming across PlayStation 3 and PSP systems, including titles requiring online verification and downloaded games, and access to the on-demand music service.
As a form of compensation to users, Sony will also roll out a "welcome back" programme, which will be tailored to specific markets.
It is likely to include free downloadable content and 30 days free access to some of Sony's premium services.
The company is also creating the position of chief information security officer for the PlayStation Network.
That executive will report directly to Shinji Hasejima, the chief information officer of Sony Corporation.
rjones@thenational.ae
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson