PlayStation 3 firmware 3.60 'other features': a more secure console

Yesterday Sony released the latest firmware for its PlayStation 3 console -- 3.60. Mainly touting the update's newfangled 'cloud saving' feature, which provides paying PlayStation Plus subscribers the ability to back-up game saves on Sony-side servers, the company only made a passing reference to the "other features" included in the update.

Now, some new light has been shed on the underlying security updates many expected from a source outside the company.

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The PlayStation website offered no details on any behind-the-scenes changes the update conferred to systems in regard to security protection. The official information merely pointed out a revised wireless controller shut-down function as the only other benefit beside game saving in the cloud. However, PS3 hacker Youness Alaoui (AKA KaKaRoToKS), the man who broke the last firmware - 3.56 - in a matter of hours, uncovered more.

Writing on his Twitter page, the celebrated hacker said of the new firmware, "Seems like they found a way to secure PS3." He was quick to point out, however, that it was just an initial reaction, clarifying, "This is my interpretation at first glance, didn't spend more than 1 or max 2 minutes looking at it. For now, it looks to me (at first glance) that the PS3 has been resecured, but it doesn't mean it can't be broken again from scratch."

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Those seeking a new workaround or a cracked 3.60 from the hacker may want to look elsewhere.

Although Alaoui broke 3.56, he declared he had no interest in working on the new update. "I don't really care about breaking the PS3, I'm fine with what we have so far. I will NOT work on it," he stated.

Sony reacted strongly in response to the original PlayStation 3 'jailbreak' published by George Hotz in January and based off hacker group Fail0verflow's work, filing suit against both for alleged DMCA violations. Its European branch also confiscated computer equipment from the home of Alexander Egorenkov, a PS3 hacker known online as graf_chokolo who was working on bringing Linux back to the system -- a feature Sony unceremoniously removed last year - as well as reverse engineering the console's Hypervisor.

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More news on 3.60 as it develops. (Via TechSpot)

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