FBI using PS3s to catch paedophiles

November 16th, 2009, 19:20 Posted By: Shrygue

via Computer and Video Games


In arguably today's most unusual story, federal officers have reportedly admitted to using PS3 consoles to crack the passwords of tech-savvy child pornographers, who are encrypting all their dodgy content.

Although US special agents have the power to seize and search computers, it's against the Fourth Amendment for them to force suspects to give up their passwords. So they turn to the PS3's almighty processing power, where they can use its chip to literally fly through millions of password permutations in a second.

The result is a surprisingly quick(ish) game of trial and error - considering there are some 282-trillion permutations for a six-digit password!

Of course, the other advantage of the PS3 over other next-gen console is that users can install the Linux operating system to aid them with their task. At least they could on the older systems...

"The newer PS3s have been restricted, locked down, so you can't put Linux on them," revealed Neil Condon of Public Affairs to Axcess News.

So what do the Feds do? They turn to eBay to stock up on older machines. (Minus game controllers and copies of Modern Warfare 2, LittleBigPlanet and SingStar Take That, of course)...

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