Skip to main content

How to secure your PSN account

Protecting your PlayStation Network account isn’t all fun and games. With your address, payment information, and game library attached, your PSN account and other gaming accounts are prime targets for hackers. It’s important to do all you can to keep it all safe. Here’s what you need to do to keep your PSN account safe.

Use a strong password

The first step in securing almost any account is to use a strong password. It’s best to have a unique password for all accounts and that isn’t shared with other services, like your email address or social media profiles. This prevents other accounts from being compromised if one password is leaked. Passwords should also vary in characters using a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters with no personal information included.

Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a powerful second layer of protection for your PSN account. Enable two-factor authentication through account settings on a browser or navigate to the system settings on your PS4 directly.

PSN 2 Factor Authentication
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The two-step verification feature is in the security section under the heading “2-step verification.” To activate two-factor authentication, you’ll need to put in your mobile number. Pick one that’s often readily available only to you.

Making a note of the backup code can help you gain access if you’re unable to use your phone for a unique code.

Keep track of logins

Two-factor authentication also allows you to verify login attempts and stop unauthorized users from accessing your PSN account. If you get a code sent to your phone without triggering a login or see any other login attempts, you should change your password immediately.

This isn’t only limited to your phone. You can also check if someone has accessed your login by visiting the email address associated with your PSN account on any web browser. You should receive notifications anytime someone logs in there.

Avoid sharing information

It’s common knowledge not to share passwords, but it’s just as important to avoid sites with too-good-to-be-true “special offers” that require private information. Even sharing account details with close friends should be avoided. Public computers aren’t recommend, but if you log into one, always make sure to log out successfully and never save your user ID or password on it.

In the same vein, public Wi-Fi without password protection or that many people have access to should be avoided. This can compromise your account as hackers frequently latch onto public Wi-Fi locations like cafes, schools, and libraries, as this is their playground. They are able to access information that is shared with the internet connection to hack into your device directly or simply steal your private information, such as email, phone number, and passwords without you even noticing.

Editors' Recommendations

Cody Perez
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cody is that stereotypical nerdy otaku guy. He loves everything Japanese from niche visual novels like 999 and Kara no Shoujo…
PS5 slim vs. PS5: everything you need to know about the new PS5 model
The slimmer PS5 console laying on its side.

Sony consoles have always gotten multiple versions and editions ever since the original PlayStation 1. As technology becomes cheaper and more advanced, refreshed models that are both smaller and less expensive to produce typically come out a couple of years into a console's life cycle, and we have now hit that point for the PS5. The PS5 slim, as it is being referred to, is a smaller version of the launch models, and will eventually become the standard unit available to consumers once the stock of existing PS5s runs out. However, is this version worth getting if you're an existing owner, or is it only for new purchasers? There's also the question about which of the two versions to buy. To answer all these questions, let's compare the PS5 slim to the OG PS5.
Specs

Let's start with the most important part, which is whether or not there's more power under the hood of the PS5 slim compared to the launch models. No, the PS5 slim is not in any way more powerful than an existing PS5. This is not a PS5 Pro, which is currently just a rumor. Games will not look, run, or play any better or worse on either version. The only difference in terms of specs is that the slim versions have slightly more storage space at 1 TB compared to 825GB, which is just a small 175GB upgrade. There's nothing here that makes it worth buying a new system when you can expand the storage of your console yourself.
Size
Obviously, a slim model would mean that this new version would be smaller than the frankly comically large launch version. While that's true, it isn't a huge reduction in size. The PS5 Slim disc version weighs 3.2 kilograms (18% less that the original PS5) while the discless version weighs 2.6kg (24% less), and both are 30% smaller by volume.
Versions
Once again, you will have the option to choose between an all-digital and standard version of the PS5 Slim. However, unlike the original discless PS5, the new version will give you the option to add a disc drive later on if you purchase a separate detachable drive.
Price
The current PS5 models are priced at $400 and $500 for the digital and standard versions, respectively. While the PS5 slim standard version that includes the disc drive will remain at $500, the discless version will get a price increase to $450. This price increase had already been seen in other territories outside the U.S., but will now be introduced here once these new versions launch. It is also worth mentioning that the detachable disc drive you can get to upgrade your discless version will cost $80, meaning you would spend more to buy the digital version and add the drive than you would by simply buying the version with the drive already included.

Read more
How to change your appearance in Baldur’s Gate 3
A party of four adventures walking through a mushroom forest in the Underdark

Making your character can take a long time if you really want to get all the details right. From your race, class, hairstyle, and more, you have a lot of options to tweak before ever starting your adventure. If you're a little too excited, you might end up slacking off on making your character and assuming you can update it later just so you can get right into the action. If so, or you simply want to change up your look after a couple of hours into this massive game, you'll be at a loss as to how, if you even can, change your appearance in Baldur's Gate 3. You may not fully like the answer, but here's the best you can do in terms of altering your appearance after you've exited the character creator.
Can you change your appearance in Baldur's Gate 3?

The answer to this is technically yes, but not in the way you would hope. To get it out of the way, no, there's no way to return to the character creation screen after you've finalized your character. Unlike respeccing your character, there's no NPC, item, or magic mirror anywhere in The Forgotten Realms that will let you change your appearance.

Read more
Take a closer look at Sony’s special-edition Spider-Man 2 PS5
The Spider-Man special edition PS5 and controller stand on a table.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is just over a month away, but Sony is already celebrating its launch. You can now get your hands on a special-edition PlayStation 5 based on the upcoming game. If you're curious about whether or not it's worth the price, we got a close look at the new bundle.

Sony's special package costs $600 and includes a standard PS5 and all the components that usually come with it. However, it comes packed with three specific extras that make it an enticing value: custom faceplates, a digital voucher for the upcoming game, and a nifty DualSense controller.

Read more