First PSP Virus ... Sort Of
Hot off the wires from Symantec PR comes a notice about the first virus discovered for Sony's PlayStation Portable. "Trojan.PSPBrick," Symantec says, is a low-level threat (only 1 on its 1-to-5 scale) that has not been confirmed to have infected any of these handheld video-game machines.
Symantec's announcement also notes that, by default, PSPs can't even play any software beyond Sony-authorized releases -- that is, you'd have to hack your PSP to allow this trojan to get on board. Naturally, PSPBrick apparently presents itself as a PSP-hacking tool that will let users/victims play other games. Instead, it "deletes system files and renders the machine inoperable."
(History may offer a relevant parallel here: Back in 2000, Symantec noted the emergence of the first virus for Palm OS handhelds, then began selling an antivirus utility for handhelds.
Since then, according to Symantec's virus library, a total of four Palm viruses have ever emerged, and none since 2001.)
Washington Post consumer technology editor
By
Brian Krebs
|
October 6, 2005; 2:37 PM ET
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Posted by: Jason | October 6, 2005 5:39 PM | Report abuse
i think it is alrigt
Posted by: Alexis | October 7, 2005 12:24 AM | Report abuse
i have noticed that Trojan has put a number of virouses on PCs and on my laptop every time i swich it on a popup comes saying error Trojan
Posted by: Joshua Burns | October 7, 2005 3:08 AM | Report abuse
another reason to be careful handling dangerous contents :D
Posted by: jcanto | October 7, 2005 3:54 AM | Report abuse
I bet virus was released by Sony. Or at least Sony paid to have it written.
Posted by: Lord | October 7, 2005 11:54 AM | Report abuse
I would put money on the fact that if the PSP is capable of playing mp3/movies, the amount of viruses will exponentiate.
I wouldn't knock Symantec for reporting it, besides the fact that they have good and reliable software, it seems increasingly obvious that the viruses are being developed by the film and music industry(i.e. they are providing the financial backing).
If a company like Symantec were responsible for developing viruses, you can be sure they would develop far more effective and lethal viruses(they would already have a fix) and people would be forced to buy their software.
Posted by: Spookem | October 8, 2005 1:55 AM | Report abuse
Is it me or is it not only the exploits that are coming out faster, but viruses and other malware too? We need harsher penalties, like being dangled from your nipples while bamboo sticks are being shoved up your ass because you hacked Solitare type harshness.
Posted by: Matthew | October 8, 2005 3:36 AM | Report abuse
I bet these virus companies code the viruses so they can sell their software more...Or at least some company does and they're making money off it too. Somewhere along the line Sony was involved and they rubbed a bit of cash in their face...They will probably charge people to fix their PSP's or something...Bleh...So sleepy.
Posted by: Ben | October 8, 2005 4:49 AM | Report abuse
Saying that the AV companies are writing malware is ignorant. It is just like saying that dentists hire thugs to break peoples teeth and the doctors spreads the flu to get more to do.
Posted by: Omar | October 8, 2005 8:09 AM | Report abuse
The trojan virus infects PSP by downloading a program designed by a hacker to bypass the version 2.0 and reverting it back to the version 1.5. So using your PSP the way Sony designed it with licensed software you will avoid any trojans.
Posted by: Wesley | October 8, 2005 9:42 AM | Report abuse
There's another simillar thing for Nintento DS...
Posted by: jcanto | October 14, 2005 7:06 AM | Report abuse
This is the most fundermental computer geek conversation i have ever stumbled across while whitterying my balls on the paste tree. enjoy your nut juice its the only drink good enough to defeat the act of the moon. Spoon
Posted by: Sarge' bolls | October 20, 2005 12:13 PM | Report abuse
nice 1 son
Posted by: goof | October 20, 2005 12:14 PM | Report abuse
where i can download firmware 2.0 and downgrade it to 1.5 without any virus?can you give me some site that are safe to download,plz!
Posted by: JayR | December 11, 2005 11:32 PM | Report abuse
couldnt u just do a virus scan before putting on psp?
Posted by: pavey | December 18, 2005 5:12 AM | Report abuse
Please post me a antivirous.Whose protect my computer.
Thanku
Posted by: Navneet maan | January 11, 2006 1:08 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Shame you gave Symantic free press by even reporting this non event.