It is widely known that hackers have been able to access the PlayStation Network on their modified consoles by using a custom DNS. This workaround blocked notifications received by Sony servers regarding the console’s firmware version and thus allowed access to these clients onto the network even if their firmware was not up to date. After the release of the revised PS3 firmware 3.56, Sony has patched the proxy and PSN bypass methods. With the DNS bypass useless, many users with modified consoles are now denied access to the PlayStation Network. It appears however that those who were logged in at the time of the patch and haven’t signed out since are still able to benefit from PSN features. That is at least until Sony finds a way to kick them off the grid.

This is not the first time hackers found a way to bypass security and access the PSN and many of the online features. Each such attempt is met by Sony’s prompt response in just a matter of days, but in the meantime the modified consoles are back in the network. This Cat and Mouse game has been going on for months and there aren’t any signs that it will come to a full stop anytime soon. For every patch Sony releases there will always be countless workarounds and for every workaround there will always be a Sony patch to plug the hole. But no matter who is on top at one point or another, one fact remains: the PlayStation 3 has been hacked wide open.

This round goes to Sony, but the war looks far from over.