Sony's PlayStation console has suffered a significant breach, with hackers releasing a decryption key that could make it easier for people to play pirated games on their consoles, without sacrificing a connection to the PlayStation Network.
The 'LV0' decryption keys, which enable any Sony software updates to be cracked in the future, were released by hacker collective The Three Musketeers, the BBC reports. In a post, the group says it released the key because rival hackers were planning on selling the same PlayStation hacking tool for a fee.
Hacker News explains that Sony uses those encryption keys to protect the PS3's firmware, and verify any new updates.
Now that they're out in the open, any future patches or software updates from Sony could be cracked too, meaning the Japanese tech giant's console may never be safe from piracy again. I've asked Sony for a statement on the matter, and the BBC says the PS3-maker is due to speak out shortly.
It's been a mixed day for Sony. While its console has been compromised, a US judge has thrown out a bunch of lawsuits brought against the corporation in the wake of the PSN data breach last year.
The class action suit was filed in June, and complained that Sony had "failed to follow basic industry-standard protocols to safeguard its customers' personal and financial information," CNET reports. A Californian judge was unsympathetic however, and charges have been dismissed.
The new hacking tools raise questions as to whether buyers should be free to tinker with products they've bought, or whether measures should be in place to stop potential pirates from meddling with a system's software. Where do you stand? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 7
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anonymous 24 October, 2012 15:42
Sony what has happened to you? I've lost so much confidence in them that I will actually never buy a Sony product again. Look at the features of the xbox to the ps3, miles ahead of them. Maybe that sounds dramatic but with other companies, such as Samsung, Apple, Google and Microsoft bringing out better hardware and/or software I don't see the point in purchasing anything from them again. They truly have lost sight of what customers want. My advice sack all your CEOs and get some new blood and people with imagination and creativity instead of people with high end degrees who don't have an original thought between them. We need more Richard Branson types in these companies. Less on education, more on what makes a company stand out. With people who have originality, creativity, visionaries. This will never be taught in a book.
anonymous 24 October, 2012 16:53
I own a PS3 and a 360 and it's bollocks to say the 360 is miles ahead in terms of features. I like both consoles but up until fairly recently the 360 was way behind when it came to features with no tv catch up, netflix or lovefilm etc. Now both consoles are about even but blu-ray puts the PS3 out in front.
anonymous 24 October, 2012 18:22
Bollcks? Can you stream movies and videos from your phone to your TV? No
Can your browse the internet and then mirror it to the TV using your phone? No
Just looks at the apps for the Xbox. What do we have silly photography Apps and poor music apps. We have the iPlayer and love film woopydoo. Actually your right it is bollocks the Xbox is actually light years ahead.
anonymous 24 October, 2012 20:41
LOL...I own an XBOX and PS3 also...Xbox collects dust...cant save video files or music files to Xbox lol...wtf is this?...1990?..Xbox has the worst dashboard in the history of dashboard interfaces...and what brainless idiot is gonna pay for playing online the get raped in the face with ads?...LMAO!...
Xbox also has a major security failure which they really dont want you to know about which is how easy it is for your account to be stolen with a little social engineering to some customer service reps.
Still glad Sony got hacked tho...serves em right for taking away features...;)...i also have avoided all Sony products like the plague...afraid they might add a update to any device they make an brick it on purpose...
Nathan Explosion 24 October, 2012 23:50
Had 4 Xbox360 consoles fail on me before I bought a PS3. Would never go back. I too used to believe what I read on the American Xbox forums about the PS3, but the reality is somewhat different.
I think Microsoft are brainwashing gullible kids into believing all sorts of misinformation about the PS3.
leoevs44 27 October, 2012 00:02
@anonymous 18:22
Shows how much you know pal, as it happens I watch movies streamed from my mobile through my ps3 and onto the tv, also off my pc, infact almost everthing is somehow connected to my ps3 wirelesly, yes the ps3's interface looks a bit boring but don't judge a book by it cover and as sony say (don't underestimate the power of playstation) and their right, if you know anything about hardware of software then you should know the potential of the ps3 hammers the xbox into an early grave, like one of the other comments said you can't even save video files to the xbox,say no more.........
anonymous 15 November, 2012 22:32
I think this will push Sony into faster production of the PS4, and they'll need security like fort knox this time around to stop any embarrassing and really *ahem* FAIL moments.
I like the games of both consoles, as some of you know, 360 titles don't always show up on PS3, like Gray Matter for example. So yeah it's nice to have that on one's side. THe PS3 media is far better, like PSHome, I enjoy that a lot when it gets creative and fun.
My message to Sony? Get your heads out your arses, drop the arrogance and make a console that's fun, listens to customers, and has a security that makes Securicor jealous :D Then you'll be back on top like the old days!