PSP Brick trojan attacks Playstation Portable

Don't worry, unless you are a hacker yourself

BY A CORRESPONDENT

6th October, 2005: Playstation Portable script-kiddies never had it so bad. A software which claims that it can make the PSP amenable to home-made upgrades triggers the death of the PSP, Symantec said.

The trojan does not affect every PSP user, but only those bent on altering their PSP to run un-approved programs, usually pirated. The software claims that it can help bypass a Sony upgrade which made it difficult to alter the game device's programming. Those who downloaded and ran the software on their PSPs were in for a major disppapointment as the PSP "died" soon after, with the trojan deleting key files in the PSP operating system.

Symantec, whch detected the trojan, has named the malware as Trojan.PSPBrick. The company calls such malware attacks as "bricking" since the device is rendered useless as a brick. Sony does not give any guarantees to PSPs which have been modified at the user end.

The malware attack renders the $300 PSP worthless. The gaming console, whch debuted as Playstation, later had a new version in Playstation Portable, which hit the stores in March.

Normal users of PSP have nothing to worry due to the PSP Brick trojan, since the software lures only those who are keen on altering the device at their own end. PSP on its debut was capable of playing music and movies besides games. Later, Sony added a web-surfing capability into the PSP.

Symantec has no solution for the trojan it just detected. Basically, if you are foolish enough to run the software made available on un-trustworthy website forums, be prepared for a nasty shock.

BY A CORRESPONDENT