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News

  Sony Updates PS3 Security Following Console 'Jailbreak'
by Kris Graft [PC, Console/PC]
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September 7, 2010
 
Sony Updates PS3 Security Following Console 'Jailbreak'

Sony Computer Entertainment's U.S. and European divisions both said that a new PlayStation 3 firmware update arrived on Tuesday, a download that will address certain console security concerns.

PS3 software update version 3.42 is a 168MB download that when installed will patch the console to "address security vulnerability in the system software," according to PlayStation's official European blog.

John Koller, director of hardware marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America said on the official U.S. PlayStation blog the update will include unspecified "additional security features."

The firmware update comes shortly after the August reveal of a fully-functional PS3 USB modchip -- dubbed "PS Jailbreak" -- that purportedly allows users to play "backups," or copied versions, of disc-based PS3 games, a situation that opens the door for software piracy on the console.

Shortly after a video demonstration of the modchip surfaced on the web, the Australian federal court granted Sony a temporary injunction against three Australian distributors that would stop them from further importing or selling the devices.

On Friday, a judge extended the temporary injunction from the end of August until "further ordered," a separate report said on the International Business Times.

After the initial court order, creators of an open source code called PSGroove released their code onto the web. While PSGroove in its native form reportedly allows for playing homebrew, unlicensed games on PS3, hackers quickly modified the code to allow users to play illegal copies of games, according to a Tuesday BBC report.

But the new 3.42 update apparently solves the issue -- at least for now. Users can still use the hacks if they don't update their consoles, but if they don't, they also won't have access to PlayStation Network features such as online multiplayer and further system updates.

On PlayStation's blogs, some commenters showed resentment towards Sony for the added measure, while others welcomed the move, believing it would reduce in-game cheaters.

Sony made another notable PS3 security move earlier this year when it removed the console's "Other OS" feature, which previously allowed users to install on the console the open source Linux operating system.
 
   
 
Comments

Jonathan Jennings
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This is getting ridiculous. I understand money is tight right now, I am a starving student who makes less than $500 a month and spends at least 10% of that on gas alone. Sony shouldn't have to essentially cut out all the features that make the ps3 great just so a few people can save a buck. It makes no sense. In a few months someone will find another supposed crack, sony will file another injunction and then they'll do something that screws the honest players due to the few bad apples. it's a stupid and unnecessary cycle.

Alan Rimkeit
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What great features did they cut to make the PS3 not great? The Linux OS feature? It still plays games, movie, music, the internet, and steams media of all kinds(more with the free PS3 Media Player. YAH!). What features are you talking about? Please do tell.

If you are referring to this PS3 crack device I would hardly call it "honest". It is a thin veil for a mass of piracy at Sony's front door and that is a fact. Homebrew scene my rear end.

People said the same of all the PSP cracks too. Yah, we saw so many great homebrew games for the PSP too. NOT. The homebrew scene for the PSP is a dead waste land of crap for the most part. People used the PSP cracks to pirate games.

Sony has ever right to fight these people on every front with every tool they have. They are thieves pure and simple. I say give them no quarter. They give none in return anyway.

Jonathan Jennings
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I think you may have mis-read my post . I am actually supporting sony. I don't see why features such as the OS -support have to be cut because of a couple of jerks who don't want to purchase their games. The bad apples spoil gaming for the rest of us, they force the industry to make us ALL jump through hoops and usually the pirates have work-arounds to those hoops. It's ridiculous that sony should have to work so hard to ensure they actually turn a profit.

Alan Rimkeit
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I guess I did misunderstand you then. It seems we are on the same page. But it does amaze me how many people on this site are not and support this kind of crap.

Sorry for the misunderstanding....

I am just glad Sony slapped these fools down hard and put them in their place so fast. This PS3 Jail Break crap barely got a chance to spread. Had it been cheaper than the price of $150 I bet it would have spread a lot farther than it did. Now they are out of business and going down for the count.

Bryson Whiteman
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From my understanding, the software has been open-sourced and all you need to execute it is a programmable USB device like a phone or a PSP. You don't need the "Jail Break" dongle.

Alan Rimkeit
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That is not what I heard. I read that it is very hardware dependent. That the dongle is part of the system as well as the software. That is why they were selling it so expensively. It is not like someone can just go out an make these thing in their garage.

Besides, if they use it their PS3's will be locked off from the PSN, multilayer, and the PSN store for life anyways.

EDIT: Never mind, you are right, it has been done.

Ujn Hunter
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So... does this mean they put my OtherOS back in the new firmware?


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