Sony's Playstation 3 console has remained the unhackable console. From the 3 major game system developers offerings, the PS3 is the only one that could not be hacked to allow installation and play of homebrew software and/or pirated games. Until now. That's right, the system has once again been hacked, and unlike the last time almost a year ago, it looks like this one will stick.
Last year a hack was released that was said to "jailbreak" the console to allow installation of Linux which would then allow the user to install any homebrew application they chose or at that point run pirated games, namely Playstation 2 titles. Although the system was widely known to be unhackable amongst the hacker circles around the net, Sony's decision to remove Playstation 2 playability, which was a hallmark of the early versions of the system, angered many amongst the systems followers. This alone drove many to try and find a way to make it possible if only to install and play Playstation 2 games. And it appeared that was accomplished when the PSJailbreak was released last year. However, Sony was on the ball and almost as soon as it was released Sony also released a firmware update that made the hack useless.
Unlike the Xbox 360, Sony's Playstation 3 has a reputation for releasing firmware updates on a regular basis to update and improve it's system. These firmware updates include everything from system fixes to additions of new features that make the console very enticing to buyers and users alike. However, that same dedication to the console that so many of its user love is also the same trait that kills the efforts of hackers. And although in general some hackers are looked upon as the scourge of industry, there are many who do the computer world a great service.
Since the release of firmware version 3.21 has dashed the hopes of many by making the last hack useless, there is news of a stronger hack being released. The same person who was behind the first hack and since stopped his efforts and then jumped back into the race has claimed to have hacked the system yet again. And this time, without giving Sony a chance to repair what he has done. Not that anything is broken mind you. George Hotz, the infamous "IPhone Hacker", the 17 year old kid who was the first to unlock the Iphone for use with any service carrier is the mind behind this latest PS3 hack. This time, unlike the first hack, the PSJailbreak, this one would require a hardware change in order to remove the hack.
This hack works on the basis of a simple mechanism. A lock code. Sony uses what they consider a number key to tell the PS3 that firmware someone is installing onto the console is legitimate and un-modified. If the lock key matches what the system has in it's internal memory all is considered good in the world and the system allows the installation to proceed. If the key is incorrect, then the installation is not allowed to continue. Simple really. But the key itself, is not. Because of the complexity of today's encryption systems keys such as this one can be almost unbreakable. And it is said that the one Sony uses would take all the computing power in the world to even make a dent. And even if you were able to do so, it would take hundreds of years to even come close to doing that. But apparently someone at Sony took for granted some of its other software may be utilized to help get at the Playstation 3's key.
It seems there is a constant number that is used in some of its other software that should by all rights be a random digit. This use of a non-random number in that software allowed another team of hackers to use simple algebra to get at those keys. This knowledge was made public (well public amongst the hacker community that is) and Hotz grabbed the method and used it in his now renewed work on the PS3 system. Using this method he was able to gain access to the Playstation 3's key and as such is able to write to the systems memory which will allow him to install any homebrew software he wants. A Hack is born.
So what now? Sony has yet to comment on the news and Hotz says he has no plans to use the key for piracy. His intentions are purely academic he claims. And that is all fine and good. And as noble as that all sounds it does not stop anyone else. It is kind of like what you tell a teenager who is just starting to drive. "You have to watch out for the other guy". That is what Sony needs to worry about here. The "other guy". The community of users who own PS3's will not lose anything. In actuality they will most likely gain from this. Those who are a bit computer savvy and can make their way around DOS a bit should have the knowledge to install such a hack once it is made public. Then they can play homebrew and possibly Playstation 2 games. Which remember, was allowed on older versions of the console and has since been removed to save production costs. I myself have a launch PS3 console, so I have no need for such a hack except for maybe the homebrew applications. But take my word for it, most homebrew is not worth the trouble. And if Sony takes a similar stance to Microsoft people may be in trouble. When the Xbox 360 was hacked Microsoft banned all those who had installed the hack on their system from Xbox
