124w ago - Today Sony has finally spoken out against the recent
PS3 Hacks stating they plan to fix the security breaches through a series of PlayStation Network updates including fraudulently unlocked
PS3 Trophies.
To quote from ComputerAndVideoGames.com (linked above): "Earlier this week, hackers completely tore apart the console's few remaining lines of defence against running unauthorised code, and subsequently released the first
custom PS3 firmware.
Sony has remained quiet on the issue until now, having just told our friends at
Edge: "We are aware of this, and are currently looking into it. We will fix the issues through network updates, but because this is a security issue, we are not able to provide you with any more details."
Hacking groups don't believe this will be possible though, telling the
BBC: The complete console is compromised - there is no way back. The only way to fix this is to issue new hardware. Sony will have to accept this."
Sony went on to tell
CVG the following, to quote: "We are aware of this, and are currently looking into it," an SCEE spokesperson told CVG. "We will fix the issues through network updates, but because this is a security issue, we are not able to provide you with any more details."
Thekla Incorporated President Jonathan Blow shared some video footage today which include conversations with the creators of upcoming title The...
They cannot and will not stop piracy. It's impossible. They understand that. But they also understand that they can't get raped in the public eye view. Oh that's right they already did LOL!
You could not have said this any better. Exactly what I had in mind
More than 350 million PS3 games have been sold worldwide. Sony gets a licence fee for each copy sold. TBH it was the only way that Sony could make a profit from the first versions of the PS3 which were sold below cost. Since the console is less of an issue financially, the profit is rising exponentially.
Sony will have to be mature about what they do to try and plug security holes. They can't make FW updates network only as not everyone as broadband, how would owners of brand new consoles update? No broadband would mean that every new game released with a FW requirement higher than that already installed could not be run on even recently acquired consoles.
Sony could potentially scan harddrives for illegal copies of software, but it was Sony that produced the first set of instructions telling owners how to upgrade the drives. That means pirates could run one harddrive for use on PSN and another for illegally copied software. It would negate the need for more than one console.
Sony could embed specific code into OFW that allows PSN access. Unfortunately, as proved on the PSP, CFW only needs to patch certain parts of the OFW.
Sony could stop all support for the PS3 and move on to a PS4. Sony then runs the risk of alienating all of the software and games developers who would suddenly be without a revenue platform. The PS4 would be left with Sony as the only software developer and fail to sell any games.
Banning consoles from PSN based on a MAC address will lead to mistakes being made. It will also stifle another important revenue stream; not everyone can afford to buy a brand new console. Sometimes, secondhand is the only way some users can get a console. A proud owner plugs in and finds that they own little more than a paperweight that can only play very old games. As their console has never had any hardware modifications how would they know why it had been banned?
So Sony are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They could use a sledgehammer to crack a nut and try everything to stop the small number of PS3 owners that are intent on committing piracy. Alternatively they could use the Microsoft Windows method; accept that piracy exists andtry to address the problem, but ultimately rely on the fact that the majority of users will be legitimate.
The security on the PS3 was broken because Sony adopted a complacent attitude. What's done is done and Sony cannot recover from this particular fumble.
Nothing is 100% secure if it relies upon human interaction.