Sony has released a minor PS3 firmware update this week that provides "additional security features," according to a post on the PlayStation Blog. However, many in the PS3 hacking community say the new update is meant to counteract system jailbreaking.
While the 3.42 firmware (detailed on the PlayStation Blog) is not mandatory, anyone that wants to continue using PlayStation Network will need to install the update.
Multiple reports in the PS3 hacking community allege that the update was released to specifically halt the use of jailbreaking software and USB dongle methods. Jailbreaking software such as PSGroove and PSFreedom and USB dongle methods like the commercially available PSJailbreak no longer work, they say.
This action follows court cases in the United States and Australia to halt the sale of the PSJailbreak USB dongle. Last week an Australian court ruled in Sony's favor and put a permanent injunction on the sale of the device.
"Since this is an overall security related issue, we will not be providing further commentary," Sony Computer Entertainment America Marketing Manager Jennifer Clark tells GamePro. "However, as we always have, we will continue to take necessary actions from both hardware and software to protect the intellectual property of the content offered on the PS3 system."
