PlayStation 'master key' leaked online|

[karl]

Crucial security information about the Sony PlayStation 3 has been leaked online, making it easier for users to play pirated games on the machine.

Unlocking games consoles is a common way for users to open up the system, but in the past, such efforts have been quickly thwarted.

This hack is equivalent to stealing a master key, say experts.

It comes as Sony heard that one of the mass lawsuits brought against it in the US had been dismissed by the judge.

Access to the inner workings of a games console means people can utilise its huge computing power in novel ways.

For example, the United States Air Force has networked 1,700 PS3s to create a powerful supercomputer.



See full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20067289

[TheMatrix]

It happens. And that's information that can't stay hidden forever. Of course there are better ways to make good cryptography, but that makes things very complicated, very quickly.
For the majority of us that won't have any influence on our lives -- I, for one, don't play pirated games or try to decompile the operating system(I think it's just FreeBSD or NetBSD, anyways).

It's interesting how the Air Force has done that. But why? Sure, it makes an interesting proof-of-concept, but you can do more with several servers.

[Mirage]

It seems like the PSN gets hacked a hell of a lot. Is that just my feeling?

[Sugaree]

It seems like the PSN gets hacked a hell of a lot. Is that just my feeling?

Well, it's not really the PSN the article is referring to. This is more about the actual console and not the online service. There's actually been a master key out for a few years for the PS3, and it was even sold for a short time in the US. So, really, this is nothing THAT new.

[Mirage]

Well, it's not really the PSN the article is referring to. This is more about the actual console and not the online service. There's actually been a master key out for a few years for the PS3, and it was even sold for a short time in the US. So, really, this is nothing THAT new.

Whoops :P

Looks like I mistyped. I meant PS3 :)
What does this master key enable people to do? I don't really understand :confused:

[Sugaree]

Whoops :P

Looks like I mistyped. I meant PS3 :)
What does this master key enable people to do? I don't really understand :confused:

Basically it just allows them to modify the system to play pirated games. Just removes the hardware DRM (Digital Rights Management) and gives the user total control.

[Mirage]

Basically it just allows them to modify the system to play pirated games. Just removes the hardware DRM (Digital Rights Management) and gives the user total control.

But isn't that a good thing?

[Sugaree]

But isn't that a good thing?

Oh no no no, not for the company who makes the system. Most certainly not good for the developers and publishers of games, either. You see, not only is this frowned upon by the companies involved, but it's also illegal since it's considered as hacking.

[Mirage]

Oh no no no, not for the company who makes the system. Most certainly not good for the developers and publishers of games, either. You see, not only is this frowned upon by the companies involved, but it's also illegal since it's considered as hacking.

Well then wouldn't jailbreaking your iPhone also be illegal? They passed a law in 2010 stating that jailbreaking of personal devices was legal.

[Sugaree]

Well then wouldn't jailbreaking your iPhone also be illegal? They passed a law in 2010 stating that jailbreaking of personal devices was legal.

It should, technically. Unless the law says otherwise about PlayStations or Xboxes being jailbroken, it's illegal.

[maryssa97]

i play xbox. dont have to worry about this kind of stuff

[HunterSteele]

Wasn't there the time someone who worked for Sony tweeted the code for something and said "I sunk your battleship"? Is this the same key?

[Sugaree]

i play xbox. dont have to worry about this kind of stuff

Any one with good knowledge on how to crack through a games console can do it to any console they wish. Xbox Live accounts have been targeted through underground buy/sell rings and many real life bank accounts have been drained because of it.

Wasn't there the time someone who worked for Sony tweeted the code for something and said "I sunk your battleship"? Is this the same key?

I don't remember that happening. Got a source?

[karl]

Wasn't there the time someone who worked for Sony tweeted the code for something and said "I sunk your battleship"? Is this the same key?


Is this it?


People who work online can still have a terrible day at the office. Kevin Butler, Sony corporate spokesman, is having one right now. A PS3 fan tweeted the well-meaning PR suit a strange series of letters and numbers. Butler retweeted the numbers, adding: “Lemme guess…you sank my Battleship?”

As it happens, those numbers were a crucial bit of code needed to hack the Sony PlayStation 3. Butler had revealed them to a whole world of Sony followers. It was an event worthy of two face-palm


source:http://www.slashgear.com/twitter-user-sinks-sonys-battleship-leaks-ps3-hacking-code-via-pr-guy-09132317/

[Infidelitas]

Meh. Had to happen at some point.

[HunterSteele]

Is this it?
That's the one. So they key was leaked once, then everyone forgot about it, then it got leaked again?