Spyare on PSP? I may have the first known case

  • Thread starter Thread starter QuantumTheory
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential spyware or virus issues affecting the Sony PSP, particularly in relation to browsing Google. Participants share their experiences, concerns, and theories regarding the security of the device, the nature of the problems encountered, and the implications of recent updates.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes experiencing multiple popups when trying to access Google on their PSP, suggesting a possible spyware issue despite claims that no spyware exists for the device.
  • Another participant reports no issues accessing Google, indicating that the problem may not be widespread.
  • Concerns are raised about the existence of viruses that can 'brick' the PSP, rendering it unusable and voiding warranties.
  • A participant mentions that Java's platform independence could allow for harmful scripts to affect the PSP, challenging the assertion that spyware cannot exist on the device.
  • There is speculation about the lack of recovery options for a bricked PSP, questioning why users cannot restore deleted system files.
  • One participant expresses frustration over losing the ability to run home-made code after upgrading to version 2.5, suggesting that this may limit user control over the device.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether spyware or viruses are affecting the PSP. Some report issues while others do not, and there is ongoing debate about the implications of recent updates and the nature of the threats.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of spyware and viruses in relation to the PSP, and there are unresolved questions about the technical capabilities of the device and the nature of the problems being experienced.

QuantumTheory
Messages
215
Reaction score
0
For all of those who don't know already, PSP is sony's new multimedia device, which is also the leading edge in portable gaming. The CPU and raw graphics power is superpassing the PS1, not quite the PS2, amazing for any handheld. It also you can view photos, slideshows, listen to MP3's, and video as well as they make movies for it (full lenght, i.e american pie) with no extras unlike DVDs.

The medium in which information is stored (i.e games or movies) is relatively new properitary format called UMD. (Universal Media Disc) basically a mini disc. It can hold more data than a gamecube disc can hold for the Nintendo Gamecube.

Now since I got the background out of the way, here's my problem. (Note: I have posted about this on the sony forums, no luck)

With a verison called 2.0, sony regularly releases updates for the PSP to improve the PSP system. A few months ago, sony released 2.0 verison, which has a built in wireless browser in it. YOu can browse the web on your PSP

Mine was working fine until a few weeks ago. Suddenly, whenever I went to google, I got a ton of poups, and it actually never went to the google site. It went to a site called www.google.com/disclaimer[/URL]. And other popups.
It even had a popup made like a spyware program and it said "We are scanning your internet browser for spyware. You have spyware on your internet browser." and listed the spyware that I had. I was smart enough to realize this was just an ad.

Nevertheless, people have told me there is no spyware for the PSP, and sony would have to sign for it.

If there is no spyware, this problem is definitely new to me and the PSP community. Because these popups don't happen to any other website, just google.com and I used to not have these problems.

Recently, a hacker created a virus for the PSP which you can download unwillingly on accident and it will 'brick' your psp which means it deletes the critical system files and makes it so you cannot turn your PSP back on. This is agianst the warranty and you will have to pay another 250 bucks to buy another.

I also wanted to say, this is not just one or two popups. These are several popups.

This is what I get when I go to google:
(PSP Message screen, which looks like a translucent blue window)
"Javascript will open a new page. Would you like to continue?"(Options: disable javascript. Yes or no)
I click yes.
Javascript will open a new page. Would you like to continue?"(Options: disable javascript. Yes or no)
I click yes
Javascript will open a new page. Would you like to continue?"(Options: disable javascript. Yes or no)

Each time it does this, it generates popups. The javascript is actually a popup And if I click disable, it won't go to the site.

Also, after a certain number of these javascripts, I get something which looks like a hacker put on my PSP, I don't see why the PSP would have this message on it:
"Your PSP is vulerable to popus. Would you like to install a popup blocker?"

A popup blocker on my PSP? Come on! I even downloaded it, which in itself couldve wrecked my PSP. Still, same thing happens.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Computer science news on Phys.org
that's pretty scary. I have 2.5. I haven't gone to Google yet
 
yomamma said:
that's pretty scary. I have 2.5. I haven't gone to Google yet


Everyone I've talked to has no problems going to google. in fact I didnt either until i recently

and now I have 2.5 as well
 
anyone else?
 
I have heard there are some viruses out there that infect the PSP. There are even some that will completely ruin it. Be cautious.
 
Well if its based on java then the fact you have stated "there is no spyware for the PSP", is meaningless. Java is platform indepenedent...

There are even some scarey virus that have been written which are totally free of host OS constraints that could easily effect your PSP.. IE XSS scripting:

http://www.bindshell.net/papers/xssv/xssv.html

Advice, don't go on the net if you don't know what is harmful and what isn't for your PSP

An example of XSS:

http://fast.info/myspace/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Recently, a hacker created a virus for the PSP which you can download unwillingly on accident and it will 'brick' your psp which means it deletes the critical system files and makes it so you cannot turn your PSP back on. This is agianst the warranty and you will have to pay another 250 bucks to buy another.

Wow that sucks. I wonder why there isn't a way to fix your psp after infection! Thats $250 gone!
 
Why'd you upgrade to 2.5? You just lost the ability to run home-made code.. :( (Bye bye Quake, DOOM, snes/nes/genesis/mastersystem/wonderswan :{)
Anyway, I've never had a problem going to Google and I my PSP's 2.0.. (Japanese version if that's of any relevance)
You can only brick your PSP if you download this file/view it (It's a picture) and... yeah... that's it I guess.
 
it may be off topic but i was just wondering why do people say if you get the virus you will have to buy a new one, can't you just restore the system files erased by the virus in the same way the virus deleted them in the first place.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 104 ·
4
Replies
104
Views
8K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K