First PSP Virus

[eh]

psp.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3144414

XD
Today Symantec Security Response experts identified the first Trojan that targets Sony Playstation Portable systems, Trojan.PSPBrick, as a Category 1 threat (Category 5 being the worst). As of today, there are no confirmed infections, and we'd like to keep it that way!

The virus is designed to look like a downloadable hack that lets users run their own games on the PSP. Once installed, it deletes system files and breaks the PSP. The user must choose to download it - which means you're safe if you don't go around taking files from strangers.

UPDATE: 1UP spoke with Oliver Friedricks, Senior Manager at Symantec Security Response, who provided some more details on the PSP Trojan. Friedricks warned that although there are still no confirmed cases of infection, "this should raise awareness. This is a trend we expect to see increase."

Friedricks confirmed that the virus, which masquerades as a mod, is something the users have to download to deliberately get around the Sony PSP security system. People will not be affected if they don't arbitrarily download unknown files. Unfortunately, those who may inadvertently install the Trojan.PSPBrick are out of luck. Symantec warns that it will delete critical system files and essentially break your PSP. "You'll have to send it back to Sony for repairs," said Friedricks.

Of course, any kind of hack or mod not endorsed by Sony violates the license agreement and voids the warranty on the PSP. But, as Friedricks noted philosophically, some gamers are going to do it anyway. How is Symantec going to keep up with the new attacks on consumer electronics? "We are looking at emerging technologies," Friedricks acknowledged. For now, the Security Response team is looking at these viruses on a case by case basis. But that may not be enough in the coming year. "This is an early indication of what's to come," Friedricks warned. Symantec has no record of a virus that specifically targets the Xbox system, for example, but it could easily happen:"Basically, anything with an operating system is vulnerable."

1UP recommends that you play safely with your PSP and don't go downloading files from strange places!

[Marik]

Or do what I do and not give a damn about the system itself.

[Kyran­]

Linux for PSP perhaps.

[Guess Who]

Haha, this is probably all forged because a downgrader was made to downgrade from the homebrew-incompatible 2.00 firmware to the 1.5 firmware. In fact, here is a better report:

A new Trojan horse claims to help make PlayStation Portable run homegrown software, but instead the malicious code turns Sony's game player into a useless "brick."
The malicious program, which Symantec has labeled "Trojan.PSPBrick," is aimed at a crowd of "modders," or people who seek to hack the portable device so that it can run custom code and official game cartridges.

The new Trojan claims to be software that can roll back a Sony upgrade that has made the device harder to hack. When people install it, the malicious software actually deletes key files and renders the PSP inoperable.

"Basically the (PSP) is completely inoperable, and you've lost your device," said Eric Chien, the principal software engineer at Symantec Security Response. "It's called 'bricking.'"

However, Chien said the program is not likely to affect a wide audience, because most PSP owners aren't looking to alter their machines.

"The types of people who would be affected wouldn't be everyone who has gotten the PSP," he said. "It would be affecting the people who are trying to 'mod,' or update, their devices."

The PSP went on sale in March, with most people snapping it up for its gaming or music- and movie-playing abilities, not to see if they can run Linux. Sony also added Web-surfing capabilities in August.

Still, while the numbers of people likely to be hit are low, the cost is high, Chien said.

"There's definitely people who have run it and are something on the order of $300 poorer now," he said. It's also an indication, Chien said, that virus writers are looking beyond the PC.

"People are writing malicious code for all kinds of devices," he said.

A Sony representative was not immediately available for comment. The company has said that running homebrew code will void the PSP's warranty

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That is 100% bull**** because that downgrader has been used by a ton of people and hasn't bricked the PSP, and actually worked too. Besides, the program just helps automate the process of downgrading, there is an alternate way to do it without the program.