cisono Posted 9 October 2005 Posted 9 October 2005 Malicious software turns PSP into a 'brick' The hugely popular PlayStation Portable games device has become the latest target for computer miscreants, with the discovery of a "Trojan horse" program that renders the machines inoperable. The PSP is designed to run only approved games and software, but unauthorised codes, or “patchesâ€Â, can be downloaded and installed in order to bypass these controls. The newly discovered malicious software, or "malware", poses as just such an illicit patch. The problem is that, once installed, it deletes four critical system files, rendering the infected device useless. Researchers at antivirus firm Symantec say the Trojan, dubbed Trojan.PSPBrick, was found circulating on gaming web sites last week. PSP users who unwittingly install it will see the message "Your PSP 2.0 is hacked, please reboot" pop up on the screen of their console. However, efforts to restart the gadget are likely to end in frustration. "It's a really nasty trick," says Mikko Hyppönen, director of antivirus research at Finnish company F-Secure. He believes there is no way to remedy an infected machine without taking it for costly repairs. "A hacker as destructive as this obviously isn't thinking straight." Expensive brick "The device basically becomes a brick," says Richard Archdeacon, director of technical services at Symantec. "You might as well use it to build a house." Archdeacon points out that the majority of PSP users will be safe as the software must be intentionally downloaded and installed. But he says the speed with which the threat emerged makes it clear there is substantial interest in targeting such mobile games machines. "You've got to look at the motivation," he adds. For those unlucky enough to install Trojan.PSPBrick, the motivation is a desire to play free games and add new functionality to their gadget. In July 2005, Sony issued a PSP upgrade to make it harder to play unauthorised games. The new malware masquerades as a patch that negates this upgrade. However, software that genuinely removes this official upgrade can still be found online. The PSP gaming device has met with dizzying success since launching in Japan at the end of 2004, in the US in March 2005 and Europe in September 2005. Early sales in many countries have exceeded expectations and broken records. Roughly the size of a paperback book, the device provides graphics and game-play to rival a home games console. It can also be used to play music watch films. An in-built wireless antenna means users can access the internet on the move or link several consoles together for multiplayer gaming. source: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8116
rossporterlc Posted 9 October 2005 Posted 9 October 2005 surely serves people right for trying to get free games
cisono Posted 9 October 2005 Author Posted 9 October 2005 I want a house built from PSP's! That might turn out even more expensive than standard houses!!! (imagine if you can then get them to work again, though!)
Hitesh Posted 9 October 2005 Posted 9 October 2005 That might turn out even more expensive than standard houses!!! (imagine if you can then get them to work again, though!) KERCHING!!
Blue Arrow Posted 9 October 2005 Posted 9 October 2005 Surely the easy answer is not to download the patch
cisono Posted 10 October 2005 Author Posted 10 October 2005 Surely the easy answer is not to download the patch Glad you pointed that out Indeed, that was the purpose of my post...
BenFilbert Posted 10 October 2005 Posted 10 October 2005 surely serves people right for trying to get free games Serves them right for getting a Psp in the first place.
Blue Arrow Posted 10 October 2005 Posted 10 October 2005 Serves them right for getting a Psp in the first place. I guess you're not a fan of them
BenFilbert Posted 10 October 2005 Posted 10 October 2005 I guess you're not a fan of them It's a Ps2 in your hand. Very clever but Ps2 is rubbish and so is Psp, in my opinion.
rossporterlc Posted 10 October 2005 Posted 10 October 2005 It's a Ps2 in your hand. Very clever but Ps2 is rubbish and so is Psp, in my opinion. it aint, it's bloody good
BenFilbert Posted 10 October 2005 Posted 10 October 2005 it aint, it's bloody good Fine. I don't like it at all though.
BenFilbert Posted 11 October 2005 Posted 11 October 2005 What do you like? Nintendo? Dreamcast Yes. I've got a Gamecube and an Xbox. My mate has a Ps2 and i never have fun on it. It's rubbish. Gamecube is best. I want to have fun when i play games and Nintendo games are the most fun. I've been playing Paper Mario recently and it's brilliant. It may look like a kids game but it isn't. It's fun, which is the whole point. Gamecube: Wind Waker, Resi 4, Resi 0, Eternal Darkness, F Zero X, Mario Kart, Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2, Pikmin, Pikmin 2... i could go on for ages! They are not crap kiddy games which is what you probably thought.
Alexikokopops Posted 11 October 2005 Posted 11 October 2005 Yes. I've got a Gamecube and an Xbox. My mate has a Ps2 and i never have fun on it. It's rubbish. Gamecube is best. I want to have fun when i play games and Nintendo games are the most fun. I've been playing Paper Mario recently and it's brilliant. It may look like a kids game but it isn't. It's fun, which is the whole point. Gamecube: Wind Waker, Resi 4, Resi 0, Eternal Darkness, F Zero X, Mario Kart, Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2, Pikmin, Pikmin 2... i could go on for ages! They are not crap kiddy games which is what you probably thought. Gotta agree with you on the FUN of GameCube games. But my PS2 has Pro Evo AND Tekken 5 on, so it still wins. Not as good as the SNES though...
Jay Posted 11 October 2005 Posted 11 October 2005 The PSP is a quality piece of kit and has some awsome games out already it will only get better and better!! I am VERY happy with mine!!
cisono Posted 11 October 2005 Author Posted 11 October 2005 What do you like? Nintendo? Dreamcast This post reads suspiciously like the choice game
Libertine Posted 11 October 2005 Posted 11 October 2005 This post reads suspiciously like the choice game Ah yes, the choice game, bring that back I say! :sleeping: <_<
Hitesh Posted 11 October 2005 Posted 11 October 2005 Ah yes, the choice game, bring that back I say! :sleeping: <_< seconded! or is it thirded??
cisono Posted 11 October 2005 Author Posted 11 October 2005 seconded! or is it thirded?? I'll third it / fourth it for you
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