PlayStation Network Account Security
Your Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) account is your PlayStation Network (PSN) account, and good security practices are essential to prevent your SEN/PSN account from becoming compromised. Remember that you are responsible for all activity on your account. Because of this, it is very important that you do your best to ensure that you are the only person using it.
This thread contains some tips you can use to keep your account as secure as possible, and also outlines what you should do in case you believe your account has been compromised or if your PlayStation console is lost or stolen. Click the "Spoiler" drop-down to view each category.
NOTE: Sony will never ask you for your password, so if you are asked, do not give your password to anyone for any reason.
Account Security Tips
- Create a strong password
If you have a weak password another person might be able to guess what it is and sign in to your account. If you have shared your account details by giving someone your password this also means that your account is not secure. If someone else can sign into your account they can change your SEN password and/or sign in ID and lock you out. They can also top up the wallet with any saved payment methods.SEN account passwords are case sensitive and allow special characters. When you choose your password we recommend doing as much of the following as possible:
- Make sure your password does not match any other passwords you have. Use a unique password for each of your online services in case you use those credentials on a site that is not secure.
- Use numbers, upper case, and lower case letters.
- Use symbols (e.g. ‘$’ or ‘%’).
- Do not use a word that you can find in a dictionary, use a random combination of characters.
- If you have to use a dictionary word, switch symbols for letters. Don’t make obvious choices. For example, switching a letter ‘O’ for a zero is a common choice, so can be easily guessed.
- Make your password as long as possible.
In addition, changing your password periodcally can help keep your account more secure.
- Write down & store your account information in a secure location
In case you forget anything, write down important account information on a piece of paper and store in a secure location. Do this instead of saving it on a computer or online (such as e-mail or cloud-based notes) which is less secure. Information that you might want to write down include: Sign-in ID (email address), password, security questions, PIN, and serial numbers of your PlayStation devices. - Never share your account details with anyone (not even your best friend or someone claiming to work for PlayStation)
Sharing your details (login, password, etc.) can compromise the security of your account, so never tell anyone else your password.
To avoid unintentionally sharing your account details when you sign in on someone else’s console, make sure to sign out correctly at the end of the session. - Auto Sign-In & Checkout Password
You can save your account password on your device and enable automatic sign-in to PlayStation Network for your convenience, but if other users can access your console, they can log into PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store through your account. It is reccommended that for consoles you do not own, or share with several other users, do not save your account information on the console and/or sign-in as a guest instead.
If you do enable automatic sign-in on a console that is shared, switch on the Checkout Password requirement so that wallet funds cannot be spent unless the person making the purchase knows your password. Please note that the checkout password requirement can be switched off by anyone signed into your account and it does not stop them from adding funds to the wallet; it only stops wallet funds from being spent.
Click here to learn how to enable Checkout Password
Click here to learn how to enable a PIN for purchases on non-PlayStation devices (Smart TVs, BD Players, Home Entertainment Systems, etc.)
What to do if you think your PSN Account is compromised
- Check your email
Sometimes SEN will change your password to keep your account secure. If this happened you will recieve an e-mail explaining this and will be prompted to change your password following the forgotten password reset process by selecting ‘Forgot Password’ on a SEN sign-in screen.
If you did not recieve an email, or you instead recieve a different email stating you changed your password or other account information (when you in reality did not) procede to Step 2. - Change your password immediately
You can change your password on any PlayStation system or through Account Management via web browser or the PlayStation App.
Click here to change your password - If you cannot change your password
Contact Support via Live Chat or Phone (1-800-345-7669)
What to do if your PlayStation Console is lost or stolen
If your device was stolen, be sure to first above all else report the robbery to your local authorities or police department.
- Change your password immediately
You can change your password on any PlayStation system or through Account Management via web browser or the PlayStation App.
- If you cannot change your password
Contact Support via Live Chat or Phone (1-800-345-7669) - Deactivate your console
Do this to prevent anyone from being able to access your purchased content and ensure you can activate a new console if you get a replacement..
Click here to learn how to deactivate your console online