Microsoft foils Xbox hackers with new Config

randomizer9 writes was among several readers who noted that Microsoft has changed the configs on the XBox and really messed up the hackers who have been trying to coax the box into being divx players, linux boxes, microwave ovens, white noise generators and so on. Kinda doubt the conspiracy angle, but it certainly is annoying.

Comments

Application of the word security disturbing.

[pete-classic]

I really don't like the way the word "security" is being used to mean "preventing the owner of the system from using it as he sees fit."

In my mind security means only letting the owner use the system as he sees fit.

-Peter

Re:Application of the word security disturbing.

[jridley]

She meant JOB security, namely hers and other MS employees.

No, really, security is just their new buzzword. "We're all working on security now."

If Bill had called for MS to increase their twinkie awareness, then no matter what they were doing, they'd call it a twinkie. "We changed the EULA." Why? "Because we're always working to increase the level of twinkies in our products."

Re:Application of the word security disturbing.

[pete-classic]

The main reason why it's security is to try to cut back on the pirating of the games that go along with having a modded X-Box so they can start to make back the initial investment of the hardware.

Huh? In what way does this address anything I said in my post?

Anti-piracy != security. That was my whole point. You haven't addressed that point in the least.

My gas cap can't be accessed without mangling the flap or hitting a lever inside the car. This effectively prevents people from siphoning my gas or putting stuff in my tank.

That's security.

If Honda sold me the car at a loss, but I could only fill up with a special, patented nozzle, only available at connocco that would not be security.

Yes it's your product you bought, but when it's being used to screw with another market, i.e. console prices, then steps should be taken to prevent this as much as possible. I don't want to buy a 500 dollar console just because someone decided they wanted to run Linux on the Box as it's only use.

In what way does that bear the slightest relevance to my assertion that we aren't talking about security?

-Peter

X-Box "beta" of Palladium?

[Niles_Stonne]

Could the X-Box be a prototype for Palladium/DRM-secure hardware?

They release a product that they consider secure(the v1.0 X-Box), let the public pry away at it for a while, knowing the hacking consoles(especially with one as tasty as the X-Box) is an already established industry.

Then, once it is hacked to a reasonable level, they revise the hardware to be more secure...

Shake well, repeat...

Basically, MS gets a free hacking team to test (fanatically) their security systems... The only negative point is that some of the hackers release how they did it to the public.

All of the knowledge/experience that they gain from this security cycle will go directly into their security model for DRM "secure" PC hardware...

... enough of conspiracy theories for one day...

Re:They only hurt themselves

[karlowfwb]

Not likely. The changes are mostly on the hardware backend, the developers will probably never know the difference. MS may be evil but they are not stupid. The changes will only affect the 'chippers.

Now, one might say that the 'chippers will just come out with a new chip everytime MS updates. But wait, lack of customer confidence that the chip will actually work in their box, and the cost of developing and more importantly (and costly) producing the new chips will quickly drive the 'chippers out of business.

So, the question is: is it worse to sue the 'chippers, or just beat them at their own game?

Re:Why do you doubt the "conspiracy angle"?

[cadillactux]

Now don't get me wrong, I despise Microsoft for it's shady practices as much as the next guy, but really, is this one of those "shady" practices? If you think about it, Microsoft has every right to do this.

The XBox is thier creation. They put many hours into the design and building of the machine. Okay, how convenient that it runs on x86 hardware. The rest of the programming is thier own.

I understand that most OSS programmers would likely be willing to let others mess around with thier creations, but look at it from the other point of view.

Microsoft has clearly, from the beginning, shown that they are in in for the money, and not to let others mess around with their products. As much as many of us do not like the idea of that, It is perfectly legal, and valid. Car makers void warranties if you modify them past a certain point. (besides that is could be unsafe) It is becasue they don't want you messing with their products, and spending money with other after-market compaies.

When you hack an XBox, and put linux on it, you are now using the box as a computer. You likely won't be playing XBox games on it anymore. Thus, Microsoft is loosing business becasue you are not buying games. True, they are still making money from the box itself, but they still want more, which i guess is thier perogative(sp).

If you were also in it for the money, and created a very good system, would you want others hacking into it, and possibly loosing business becasue of it. Okay, you are still making money from selling your product, but you want more. That is your choice, and your a FREE (yes, Freedome still exsists in America) to do that.

Microsoft is simply trying to protect thier products, and business. Yes, we have the right to critisize them for it, and maybe we can make a difference, but by saying "this is illegal, MS can't do this, etc.." I dont think we that the right to say THAT.

Now, great, I am all for hacking or moding the XBox, but if something goes wrong, it's your fault, and MS has nothing to do with it. Don't blame them for putting DRM in the box, or anything like that. Blame you for not listening to thier warnings about what could happen if you mod it.

Again, dont get me wrong, I am far from MS's #1 fan, and I dont agree with most of thier practices. They are free to do that. It is one of the great ideals of capitalism. Now, Monopolies are not, but is the XBox really a Monopoly? With the sales of GameCube and PS2 what they are, I would say not. If you really want to have a game system running on x86 hardware that is free for everyone to hack, then be innovative and create one, and sell it.

I'm not trying to Troll here, and this whole thing is probibly redundant from the last ten Articles on /. I just don't see where all the "illegal" and "this aint right" voices are coming from. There goes my Karma....

How is Sony any different?

[Winterblink]

If memory serves, Sony made iterative changes to the PS1 over the course of its run, which negated mod chips that worked in earlier 'generations'. I believe the same is true with the PS2, but someone can confirm or deny that for me. Anyway, hey it's within their rights as the developers of the hardware to discourage what they perceive is hacking. It's also within our rights as consumers to be able to work around anything they do. :)

Re:business model

[Quixote]

you're implying that because they sell crippled hardware that they should be able to control what you do with it thereafter.

By the same token, Microsoft should be able to do anything with the hardware before you've bought it. If, for whatever reason, that prevents you from "hacking" it after you've bought it, then don't buy it!

Whats good for the gander, is good for the goose.