Gamers on a forum accuse Sony of adding a rootkit to its latest version of PlayStation 3 firmware. Rootkits, in general, have a bad reputation. Security watchers often associate them with malware. In this case specifically, though, the alleged rootkit would allow Sony to peer into users' system files without their knowledge. A user dubbed N.A., who first mentioned the alleged rootkit last week on the Neogaf forum and cited work performed by developer Mathieulh, alleged that a rootkit in firmware version 3.56 allows Sony to "remotely execute code on the PS3" when users connect to the PlayStation Network. Mathieulh informed people over Internet Relay Chat that the alleged rootkit can be used by Sony for "verifying system files or searching for homebrew." It might also be used as a way to ensure users on the PlayStation Network are using Sony's own firmware.

However, N.A. also pointed out that "Sony hasn't activated any of this yet."