Hackers crack open Sony’s PlayStation Home

by Stevie Smith - Dec 17 2008, 13:00

Already suffering through complaints of user boredom, disappointing content and outdated presentation, the PlayStation 3’s much-delayed virtual world Home has now fallen into the cross hairs of the online hacker community.

More pointedly, exploits uncovered within Home’s software coding have enabled opportunistic hackers to customise the apparently bland virtual world so that it includes interactive elements not officially included by creator Sony Computer Entertainment.

Specifically, one such hack allows users to watch their own movies on display screens located within the expansive three-dimensional world. It also allows for the implementation of text and music-based changes to fit the user’s personal taste, reports The Telegraph.

Not so playfully inoffensive in its delivery, another hack sees users able to download private files from the PlayStation Home servers, which includes having access to the profiles and in-world avatar representations of other users.

Beyond the potentially harmless content applications associated with the security crack, the unexpected intrusion is being seen as somewhat of a worry in that it enables those ‘in-the-know’ to upload files to the Home server and also delete any files held therein.

Industry concerns are now suggesting the PlayStation Home vulnerability could be utilised by cyber criminals to execute malware attacks that capable of culminating in the virtual world being forced offline completely.

One approach Sony is reportedly considering in order to counter any future focus on damaging Home hacks would be to open the online community service to third-party developers so they could then legitimately create interesting content and feature additions for the benefit of users everywhere.

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