PSP virus in the wild

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 9th 2006 at 2:20AM }

PSPdemon, from the DCemu forums, has discovered a virus that can brick your system. It disguises itself as a "usb kxploit" and features folder names "SDL-TEST-5 and SDL-TEST-5%" (although this can change at any moment, of course). The file seems to be around 74kb, so make sure you double-check any files you download off the web for PSP use. A virus scanner is available for PSP files, so you may want to check it out.

No one wants to have a $200 piece of bricked hardware, right?

[Thanks, steve!]

Tags: brick, dcemu, kxploit, psp, pspdemon, trojan, virus

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

iTed @ Oct 9th 2006 2:56AM

that virus writer gotta be an arsewhore!

Jason @ Oct 9th 2006 2:58AM

The main defining feature of a virus is that it contains code to replicate and/or propagate itself. This is not a virus but a trojan; a program that pretends to do one thing in order to gain malicious access to a target.

Semantics aside, of course don't run unverified psp programs unless the source is provided for you to compile yourself.

pixelator @ Oct 9th 2006 10:38AM

People have been calling PSP brick executables 'viruses' since the first ones made the scene. It's just another example of media hype superceding truth. Far more sensational and attention-grabbing to say the PSP has a VIRUS than it is to say the PSP has a program that bricks your machine, but only if you're stupid enough to run it.

Richard Armour @ Oct 9th 2006 12:54PM

Wouldn't the virus only affect firmware under 2.0 that can run unsigned eboots? or is there a TIFF file floating around?

the fece @ Oct 9th 2006 12:54PM

probably a ds fanboy hahaha

DG @ Oct 9th 2006 1:36PM

More information please! What does the file SAY it is?

PseudoChron @ Oct 9th 2006 1:45PM

I agree, please refer to these types of programs as "trojans" or "malware", unless they are self-replicating. This, like that first PSP "virus", will turn out to be mostly hype. I don't really understand how someone could mistakenly download and run a malicious program; it wouldn't be hosted on a reputable PSP homebrew site, so it would need to be sent directly from the creator to the user. This almost seems like it could be a publicity stunt by Sony to scare people into upgrading their firmware.