| Sony blocks Linux after hacker enables games |
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| Posted on Monday, March 29 @ 11:21:58 CEST by SMG_admin
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 Sony has decided to remove Linux capabilities from the PS3 after its engineers concluded that a hacker had actually gained complete access to the PS3's memory opening doors to non Sony games on the PS3.
Geohot claimed that he has hacked the Playstation 3 gaining READ/WRITE access to entire system memory, he also got HV level access to the processor of PS3 and all he has do now is write software for it and do some reversing.
Many disputed the claim but Sony's latest update Firmware 3.21 will completely disable Linux on the PS3. It now looks certain to be a defensive move by Sony to prevent Geohots hack.
A nervous Sony has acted in haste stating;
"PS3 Firmware 3.21 will be available this Thursday. It will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, we’re now removing this feature."
We can see how such an exploit could have made Sony's management act in such a knee jerk way but is this response really sensible, responsible or financially astute? After years in the doldrums Sony was starting to show glimmers of recovery but its rigid stance is alienating its customers.
We have to ask ourselves, "How is this possible?" In Europe at least the removal of an advertised feature is against the Law unless the customer is adequately compensated. You cannot sell a customer a four wheel drive car and then tell them after they have purchased it that for safety reasons the four wheel drive will not be available.
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