RSSSony inoculates the PlayStation 3
By Tim Conneally | Published November 15, 2007, 2:45 PM
With networking a major feature of modern game consoles, the first tools for game system security are inevitably beginning to appear.
Trend Micro is the first to throw its hat into the ring, with a security suite released a week ago as part of a PS3 system upgrade. Trend Micro Web Security for PS3 checks the reputation and security of unknown sites, and has user-defined filters to block certain other types of sites. It is touted as a family product, with password-enabled free browsing.
While the service is currently free and will remain so until April 30, 2008, it will switch to a pay service at a later, and not yet determined, date.
With only one finished product available, the market for game console security software is still in infancy. One has to wonder, though, how much more developed this market would be if Microsoft had a browser in place on its Xbox 360 systems.
Security was a main reason behind Microsoft's exclusion of Web browsing capabilities when Xbox Live launched in 2002. Today, after five years have passed, the service's subscription base reportedly exceeds 7.1 million.
That's a huge vulnerability, so perhaps opening Xbox 360 to the Web isn't such a good idea yet, especially when you consider that remotely exploitable security holes have existed since the earliest Web-enabled consoles.
In 2000, Sega's Dreamcast allowed malicious packets to be sent during online gameplay, crashing the recipient's machine. If sent during a game save, the results were often severe. Imagine a full-scale DDOS attack on millions of unsuspecting Xbox 360s.
Nintendo's WiiConnect24 and Internet Channel, and its increasing catalog of Wi-Fi games; plus Sony's Home, XMB browser, and its repertoire of over 40 titles being played online daily, all now are open doors susceptible to exploit.
adding a web browser to a gaimging system and the putting an antivirus programe on it is like saing " here i am come and get me"
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|honestly could a hacker send out a virus...sure, but who the hell cares. Most hackers love playing games and wouldnt waste their time bombing ps3's or wii's, they would be busy crashing the RIAA or MPAA servers instead....
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|You could say the same thing about PC's. Yes you and me and some other people don't care, but there are some idiots out their that do care. They think it's a game (no pun intended) and it's funny once they crash your system.
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|I like the fact that some consoles have a web browser built in. You really need a fixed pixel display (DLP or plasma) to use them however. CRT's are useless for displaying web browsers. You knew this was coming to the PS3 sooner or later.
I just picked up (gulp).... Cars on BD, I guess I will have to fire up the PS3 tonight and see how it looks compared to some of the other movies. I hope the included BD game actually works.
By the way, you can get a limited edition Blu-Ray Lightning McQueen die-cast with the movie. There are 15,000 available and I was #7412. It costs $3.50 + S/H and you have to join thier movie club, but they will go for a handsome amount on eBay. Sorry UK, you guys are screwed as it's only USA and Canada.
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|HD CRTs (talking TVs) are fine for web browsing. I don't even need to change the text size on mine at 720i, and only needs to be bumped a little at 1080i. And I'm pretty sure anyone can admit your 17" CRT in the cupboard was fine for web pages too.
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|Tenoq,
I have 10 year old 40" Lowe (Phillips) WS, the largest WS CRT, ever made. And, its still cookin' has all the necessary inputs.
The beauty of this CRT is that it has a native refresh rate of 100mhz, albeit interlacing and that kind of stuff are not an option.
I've never tried browsing with it, but that's not it's purpose.
Cheers, mate!
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|It's just another check mark on the box is all.
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|i think that putting a web browser on a game console is worthless and i hope that microsoft will never allow one one their counsole... there is no need for it and it just somthing that will cause problems.
if you want to surf the web use a pc.
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|Many people use the PS3 as an entertainment hub, which includes downloading and watching videos from the web. Having to use a PC would just be an extra unnecessary step, and would prevent those without PCs (yes, they do exist ;) from doing so.
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|well for those who dont have a pc, and have a PS3 probably dont care about the internet as well, and id be willin to bet that 95% of the people who do have a counsole and dont have a PC, dont have internet as well.. so what would be the point...
if were sold as a entertainment hub they should have just called it something like the vio entertament system. they probably would have sold more
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|not only that the consumer could have saved a few hundrad buck and just buy a pc... basicly the samething except the pc has some good games you can play on it
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|It's selling point WAS it being an entertainment hub.
The point is the other 5%. And it's a moot point because I'd rather go to a webpage on my PS3 and download a supported video than having to go to my PC, download it and transfer it to a drive.
I wish the 360 had a browser, so I wouldn't have to rely entirely on Live for on-box content.
And it's VAIO.
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|so they should have just called a PC and not a game counsole.
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|The 360 is an entertainment hub. It isn't called a PC.
It's called a game console because that is its primary purpose, unlike your average PC.
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|except if you built a PC that costs less than the PS3 it wouldn't be able to play any of the good games....but if you had any idea what you were talking about you would have thought about that...
to build a PC that outputs equal graphics to the 360 or PS3 you are talking more money than either console...video card alone is going to set you back $300+ more than likely...couple hundred for a CPU...and you still don't have a mobo or memory...
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|Hardly. You don't need top end bits. I know in Australian dollars I could be a decent gaming system for $600 ($300 box, $300 graphics). I could build a kick-arse one for $800. That's still cheaper than the $1000 PS3.
Unless computers cost more in the US (they don't) then they're still cheaper and better than a console. It just depends on whether you're a console person or a PC person, really.
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|When did the PS3 price go up to $1000? Last i checked it was $399 and $399 is a lot less than $600.
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|I thought "choice" was good. M$ gives you the "choice" of a HD-DVD add-on. The PS3 "forces" Blu-Ray and Internet browsing on you. LOL.
You M$ drones never cease to amaze me.
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|M$, you are rather annoying can't you think of anything new or are you really that shallow?
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|In Australian they were. I believe there is a upcoming price cut there that drops it about $200 maybe more?
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|I really wish there was a way to block users post list. Reading Pit$ingo's 'Evil M$' postings of the same thing over and over again is wasting everybody's time, making the pages load longer and taking up space on Betanews hosting space.
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|Hillarious, Microsoft have brainwashed you into thinking NOT having features is a good thing.
I use my PS3 browser quite alot, browing news sites and all. Whilst it's not as good as Opera, Firefox or IE, it's adequete, and todate secure. The addition of site restrictions, will surely make it even more secure.
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|"The 360 is an entertainment hub. It isn't called a PC.
It's called a game console because that is its primary purpose, unlike your average PC. "
i know this is a mute point but i consider my 360 a game counsole, not an entertainment hub, but i guess it could be called one.
and actuly the 360 wouldnt be the hub, the PC it connects to would be the hub.
now ps3 has just about everything a pc would have, but good games. ya there are games but none wothwhile in my eyes.
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|you think i am brainwashed into thinking that ?
now that funny...
ya a feature.. just another thing to have problems with... i bought my 360 to play games and not to surf the web and possably have infections that will create issues with what i bought the thing for in the first place and thats gaming.
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|then on top of that if microsoft impleated a web browser on the 360, and added a security tool like the PS3 did i am sure that it would not be charging it customers any more then it already dose for its live services.
atleast the Wii gives you the option to install the browser.
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|i have a vary good pc at home i built for less then $500 that will look just as good as any game on the 360 or ps3. you dont need the lates and greatest to play all the good games. maybe a few games you might need top of the line but that will change
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|Joey,
Now pay attention my friend, I took delivery of a Dell XPS 1730 today. When I ordered it there 3 variations of burner 2 were Blo Ray, the other a standard DL, guess which option I went for?
Simple question, a more simple answer, perhaps one you might understand!
The rabid comments by yourself, Steve, Dave et al, most certainly disabuse us (we simple users') of any notion that might encourage prospective users of this junk.
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|Dingo,
Let's forget your moniker for a moment Harvey Norman full page add's in The Australian today. PS3 40gb AUD649 and an Xmas special.
Exchange rate at time of delivery in OZ was AUD94.73, there is a repatriation of capital here through tax concessions.
Buy the time you purchase the junk that goes with it, don't look down at spending a $1K.
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|fair statement. He should use AU$ and i should have used US$
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|And PS3 gives you the option not to use it..
Duh...
As for Microsoft not charging.. Are you dumb? Microsoft have screwed you over on every accessory for the 360, and even have the balls to charge for XBox Live, which is a peer-peer serverless network (and thus no running costs).
What makes you think a IE addon for 360 will be free?
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|I haven't heard that much BS from you in a long time. Thanks for the laugh SteveBG Maid.
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|Ironically, this "security" for the PS3 might make it a appealing for attacks. I'm curious though, don't most people have PC's? I mean if you can afford a $600 (early adopters) machine, you should be able to buy a $500 PC. With that said, whats the point of a web browser on a console? I have 3 puters at home, the last thing I need is to browse the web on my TV.
I guess Sony just likes to make themselves vulnerable.
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|I don't think it's a matter of money. Some people would rather spend the money on a console instead of a PC. One of my friends included. (Although I think he's an idiot, for various reasons.)
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