Kotaku: Hacking

Xbox Fall Update Leaked, Hacked, Relatively Useless

Mike Fahey — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:20:00 MDT

An early beta version of Microsoft's Fall Xbox Experience dashboard update for the 360 has made its way onto the internet via the usual file sharing sites, and modders and hackers have been working overtime to get the thing up and running on their consoles. xHaVoK87 has been constantly updating readers on his progress in getting the dash functional on his box, and as of his most recent update it looks like he's been successful. Congratulations! You now have a buggy beta version of the Fall dash update, complete with font errors, missing graphics, and none of the actual features that are supposed to be coming to revolutionize the Xbox Live Experience. In essence, your hacked Xbox now looks different. Way to go.

Work is currently being done towards an install solution for retail Xbox 360 systems, but you know what? I'll just wait. Hit the jump for a clip of the new dash in action, or hit the link for the full rundown of how they did it.

Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard 08 Leaked! [xHaVoK87's Blog - Thanks Madgame]

Pirated NTSC GTA IV Leaked Online Early

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:30:00 MDT

48 hours? You're not giving yourselves enough credit. Less than a day after the PAL copy of the game was leaked, NTSC copies of Grand Theft Auto IV have begun popping up on torrent sites, courtesy of a group calling themselves 101. We're still unable to verify whether this is the real thing or not, but regardless, the files are already pushing 20,000 leechers. Shame. We're still waiting on Rockstar for comment.

Hackers Join Next-Gen HD Format Wars

Mike Fahey — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:00:11 MST

In a sense, the next-generation HD battle of blu-ray versus HD DVD closely parallels the current generation console battle between Sony and Microsoft. Both have clear advantages and disadvantages over the other, and every time I try to choose between the two, something happens to cloud my judgment. Transformers on HD DVD. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Over the holiday season the battle grew more heated, as both formats tried to out special deal the other and forums broke out into the verbal equivalent of fisticuffs, escalating to the point where hackers threw their hat into the ring, redirecting visitors to Blue-raydisc.com to HD DVD's "The Look and Sound of Perfect" website. Nasty! The hack was quickly fixed, but the message is clear. This is still very much a war, and perhaps "Hack the Planet!" Makes you wonder if all industries have fights like this, and somewhere on a craft site a knitter is calling a crocheter a little bitch. F***ing crocheters.

Hacks and smack-talking make hi-def format war even uglier [Ars technica]

Sony Sneaks ISO Loader Into PSP

Mike Fahey — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:20:50 MDT

Looks like the latest versions of the PSP's firmware did more than just rapidly expose and then defend the handheld from hacking attempts and unlock the full potential of the systems 333 MHz processor. Code hacking enthusiasts have broken open the v3.5 and v3.51 firmware to discover a file named np9660.prx, which is an ISO loader that could possibly be used to play PSP titles off of a memory stick without using a UMD.

Looks like Sony is getting closer to allowing PSP and PS1 games to be downloaded directly to the handheld, a feature, in my opinion, that would at least double the value of the system. Between downloadable PS3 games and the PSP Sony has found itself with the online content delivery ball and by gum they are running with it. Godspeed, little multinational corporation!
ISO loader in PSP firmware [Eurogamer]

Sony Plugs Up Hack Holes

Kim Phu — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:40:00 MDT

You've got to pat Sony on the back for giving it the good, old college try. After the Lumines hack debacle, Sony is trying to fight back with a 3.51 update that has been added today over at their Japanese site which would close up holes in the PSP's security . Other than just the security fix, there isn't much else you would need the update for. There is no added functionality included in the update and none of the currently released games will require it. But if you just love updates, and hate hacks, you're more than welcome to go pick it up.

Sony Foils Hackers with PSP Update [CVG]

Sony Threatens PS3 Homebrews And Pirates

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:09 MDT

The PSP has an active homebrew community, and hackers are hoping to create the same for the PS3. So far, PS3 firmware 1.10 and 1.11 have been cracked, making it possible to boot illegal game copies. However, hackers haven't figured out how to get the booted games to run so they can be played. What's Sony doing to stop this? Spokesman Dave Karraker says:

Unfortunately, hackers will try to exploit any hardware system software. The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner... Naturally, any use of an exploit on the system software does void the warranty on the PS3 system... Which could be a costly mistake to see if you can run an old SEGA CD game on it.

If Sony's really serious about stopping this, it certainly needs to be more active than the steps taken against the PSP homebrew community. Firmware updates won't cut it. Brian Ashcraft

Making Threats [Eurogamer]

Is Your Console a Hacker Target?

Mike Fahey — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:24:03 MDT

Could your shiny new PS3 or slightly less than shiny and new 360 be in the sights of hackers? According to some computer security experts they very well could be. Following the recent phone duping to gain access to Xbox Live accounts, experts are concerned that online consoles could provide a challenging, and therefore very tempting targets.

Security software maker CA 1's Stefana Muller spoke of the hacker's motivation for cracking their new targets: "I think it's going to be an 'I did it' kind of target, 'I got to exploit this gaming console'. It's obvious that once a new thing comes out, if it's cool, it will be exploited."

Cool things being exploited is exactly why no one wears MC Hammer pants anymore and the Spin Doctors don't get radio play. Bastards.

I'm not exactly sure how these 'experts' expect malicious code to be delivered to the 360 or PS3, aside from end-users being relatively stupid. I don't think there is much folks could do without getting their hands on your actual system, as long as you don't screw up and let Microsoft know your username and password. Michael Fahey

Hackers target online consoles [CVG]

Xbot: Automated Button-Mashing

ataylor — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:21:02 MST

MAKE:blog has found this little gem, the automated Xbox 360 button masher, built specifically in order to hit Perfect Dark Zero's "two most tedious achievements: 1000 Death Match Games and 1000 Dark Ops Games worth 30 gamer points each (60 total)". See? This is what Achievements does to you.

Did it work? Course it did. David's machine ftw:

Both of these Achievements were successfully obtained by the xBot without having to sit there and push buttons for 40-50 some-odd hours. While it's running its course, nothing needs to be touched. Except for the occasional checking if I got my points.
Why, you may ask, did I build such a thing? Because I can!

Well, quite. And who in their right mind wants to spend 40 hours of their actual life hitting buttons? No, well, okay, apart from Kotaku commenters? Alice Taylor

Xbot the Xbox 360 Button Masher [MAKE:blog]

HD DVD Possibly Cracked

Mike Fahey — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:50:36 MST

A creative code restructurer named Muslix64 claims to have created an application that strips encryption from HD DVD discs. The program is called BackupHDDVD, and if Muslix's claims are true, it breaks the unbreakable AACS content protection system used by both next-gen DVD formats. What's the gaming angle? With Blu-ray have more than just AACS on it, it's a step, just not that big of one.

Basically the program circumvents the checking of the software code on the disc. The kicker is that in order for it to bypass the software code, you have to first know the software code, making an extra step necessary. An extra step Muslix hasn't provided yet. In his video brag below he advises us to keep watch for source code in January.

This is one of those stories where I really wish I had some extensive programming under my belt so I could go to the Doom9 forums where this was announced, have myself a look, and know exactly what to say. As a man relatively ignorant when it comes to code, I can only say well then. Good for him. We'll keep an eye out for further developments should they appear. Michael Fahey

BackupHDDVD, a tool to decrypt AACS protected movies [Doom9 Forums, via Ars Technica]

PS3 Hacking Has Begun

Mike Fahey — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 13:40:33 MST

Console hacking enthusiasts have already taken the first steps towards making the PS3 backup friendly, installing LINUX and using it to dump a 7.08GB ISO file from Madden 07 onto an external hard drive. Pool Boy over at PS3News points out that this is exactly how the PSP backup scene got started, and that the PS3 file structure closely resembles the one used in PlayStation Portable games.

In the same forum post he mentions a new AdvanceMAME binary for the PS3 that allows the system to emulate arcade games through Linux, and links to a tutorial on how to install a 750GB hard drive into the console.

It's kinda funny. This is the most excitement I've seen anyone drum up for the PS3 since the system launch. There might not be much in the way of new games coming out for a few months, but the potential for the system as a set top Linux box is quite intriguing, and an angle I hadn't considered. Now we just have to see if Sony unleashes regular BIOS upgrades to quash the homebrew scene like they've done on the PSP. Michael Fahey

BREAKiNG NEWS: *WORLD EXCLUSiVE* PS3 NEWS! [Ps3News.com - Thanks Alejandro!]

Blizzard Bans Entire Guild For Cheating

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:20:04 MST

After the Overrated guild—their name, not my opinion—decided to install wall hacks to make the raid to Temple of Ahn'Qiraj boss C'Thun a little bit easier, Blizz decided to issue some bans. So they banned the whole guild.

From the WoW forums (Psst! Legendary thread!):

A few minutes ago we went from having a near-raid online to having seven. I didn't clearly, but only because my raid attendance has been remiss lately. Let me explain.
We are the only US Horde guild that clears Naxx, been like that for a few weeks. People found that the pre-C'thun trash was so painful, that they decided to install some stupid thing that deletes walls or something, and you can just run there after Skeram.

I know, we had it coming, blah blah whatever, we know we deserve it. I actually think it's hilarious because I was calling them all idiots for doing it. I'm sure they'll try and get it rescinded because it's kind of a steep punishment with no recourse or whatever.

Aww. That's such a shame! Michael McWhertor

WOW guild banned [Gamespot]

Unsubstantiated Rumor: Hellgate Source Stolen

brownlee — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 08:40:49 MDT

Gamers With Jobs is claiming that Flagship Studios servers have been hacked by a nefarious Chinese cybercriminal and the source code for Hellgate: London has been stolen.

Weirdly enough, this all seems to be news to Bill Roper of Flagship, who says he has 'heard the same rumors' but 'cannot confirm or deny that any code has been lifted from their studios.'

Apparently, the source code is now available for sale on a Chinese website... a shiny no-prize to the Kotakuite who can find it! As for Hellgate: London, this news, if true, sucks. Everyone knows that the ultimate value to Valve of the HL2 source code theft was giving them a plausible excuse to miss their inexplicably optimistic release date. I want Hellgate sooner rather than later... let's hope this is just an unsubstantiated rumor. Florian Eckhardt

Hellgate: London Source Code Stolen [Gamers With Jobs]

Tetris DS Hacked for Instant Win, But Why Bother?

brownlee — Fri, 19 May 2006 07:40:17 MDT

What is the point of cheating like this? We can understand griefing — there can be a delicious thrill in frustrating someone to the point of mouth-foaming homicide. But in a wifi Tetris DS match, it takes about ten seconds to figure out that someone is using a hacked DS to cheat, in which case, all you do is immediately flip your console on and off. It's not even particularly obnoxious... the hacker is cheating himself out of a fun experience more than he's cheating you out of one. - Florian Eckhardt

Insane Mario 64 Hack

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 02 May 2006 17:22:34 MDT

Mario Giving Big Bob-omb a piggy back, chopping Koopa by the tail and Chain Chomp running amok. This hack proves even stellar titles like Mario 64 benefit from biting and levitation.

Mario 64 [Wiki]

Hacking the 360: From Hexic to Flash

Brian Crecente — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 12:00:59 MST

All it takes is one leaked Xbox 360 kiosk disc and the hackers go crazy. So far the crew over at Xbox-Scene have managed to tinker with Hexic to unlock achievements they haven't earned, figured out how to burn their own copy of Hexic and play it on the console, and have started working on getting flash programs to run on the 360. You know there are people out there working on hacks for Perfect Dark Zero and Call of Duty 2. I have a feeling that we all have a major firmware upgrade in our future.

Launching Swf Files Via Kiosk Disk [Xbox Scene]