PS3 Firmware Update 3.42 Blocks Jailbreak Hack

Kris Erickson • Sep 7, 2010 • Comments ()

It took a little over a week for Sony to release a security patch for the Jailbreak USB exploit. As we reported earlier, hackers had succeeded in running backup games (and potentially pirated copies) on the PS3 console by way of a special USB key, which some companies have started selling. But Sony's automatic firmware update 3.42, released today, is confirmed to block the Jailbreak devices from working. Similar products PSGroove and PSFreedom are also blocked in this new update. All future game releases are likely to require firmware version 3.42, in an arms race between publishers and pirates that is reminiscent of what happened on the PSP handheld.

Since this firmware update is automatic when logged into PSN, this effectively keeps pirates from the online service (for now). Some enterprising scallywags are using proxy DNS servers and other hacks to stay on PSN without the automatic update taking effect. Use at your own risk, since Sony is likely to adopt a console banning policy similar to that of Microsoft: If you're got online using any illicit homebrew, you face a probable banning.