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In the end of 2009 Hotz announced his efforts to hack the [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2009/12/real-challenge.html |title=A Real Challenge |publisher=George Hotz |date=December 26, 2009 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref> At that time, the console remained the only fully locked system of the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation era]] and was widely regarded being very secure and almost unhackable. Hotz opened a blog to document his progress and five weeks later, on January 22, 2010, announced that he had successfully hacked the system saying: "Hello [[hypervisor]], I'm geohot".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com |title=On The PlayStation 3 |publisher=George Hotz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/01/hello-hypervisor-im-geohot.html |title=Hello hypervisor, I'm geohot |publisher=George Hotz |date=January 22, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref> Hotz claimed that he achieved "read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV [hypervisor] level access to the processor". Hotz also detailed that his work could allow [[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]], [[PS2]] [[Video game console emulator|emulation]] and the capability to run [[Copyright infringement|pirated]] PS3 games and game backups.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8478764.stm |title=PlayStation 3 'hacked' by iPhone cracker |publisher=BBC News |date=January 25, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref>
In the end of 2009 Hotz announced his efforts to hack the [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2009/12/real-challenge.html |title=A Real Challenge |publisher=George Hotz |date=December 26, 2009 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref> At that time, the console remained the only fully locked system of the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation era]] and was widely regarded being very secure and almost unhackable. Hotz opened a blog to document his progress and five weeks later, on January 22, 2010, announced that he had successfully hacked the system saying: "Hello [[hypervisor]], I'm geohot".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com |title=On The PlayStation 3 |publisher=George Hotz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/01/hello-hypervisor-im-geohot.html |title=Hello hypervisor, I'm geohot |publisher=George Hotz |date=January 22, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref> Hotz claimed that he achieved "read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV [hypervisor] level access to the processor". Hotz also detailed that his work could allow [[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]], [[PS2]] [[Video game console emulator|emulation]] and the capability to run [[Copyright infringement|pirated]] PS3 games and game backups.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8478764.stm |title=PlayStation 3 'hacked' by iPhone cracker |publisher=BBC News |date=January 25, 2010 |accessdate=January 25, 2010}}</ref>


On January 26, 2010, Hotz released the [[exploit (computer security)|exploit]] to the public. It requires the [[Linux on the PlayStation 3|Other OS]] function of the PS3 and consists of patching the [[Linux kernel]] and gaining control of the [[hypervisor]] with the help of an [[FPGA]] using a unique solder point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/01/heres-your-silver-platter.html |title=Here your silver platter |publisher=George Hotz |date=January 26, 2010 |accessdate=January 27, 2010}}</ref> Hotz declared that "Sony may have difficulty [[patch (computing)|patch]]ing the exploit". As of March 28, 2010, Sony has responded by announcing to release a PlayStation 3 [[PlayStation 3 System Software|firmware update]] that removes the [Other OS] feature.<ref>[http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/ PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update – PlayStation Blog<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Hotz intends to make his own custom firmware which will retain the OtherOS feature.<ref>[http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/03/dont-update.html#disqus_thread On the PlayStation 3: Don't Update<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On January 26, 2010, Hotz released the [[exploit (computer security)|exploit]] to the public. It requires the [[Linux on the PlayStation 3|Other OS]] function of the PS3 and consists of patching the [[Linux kernel]] and gaining control of the [[hypervisor]] with the help of an [[FPGA]] using a unique solder point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/01/heres-your-silver-platter.html |title=Here your silver platter |publisher=George Hotz |date=January 26, 2010 |accessdate=January 27, 2010}}</ref> Hotz declared that "Sony may have difficulty [[patch (computing)|patch]]ing the exploit". As of March 28, 2010, Sony has responded by announcing to release a PlayStation 3 [[PlayStation 3 System Software|firmware update]] that removes the [Other OS] feature.<ref>[http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/ PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update – PlayStation Blog<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
On the April 7, 2010, Geohot posted a video to the internet showing a PS3 running the Other OS feature on firmware 3.21.<ref>[http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/04/otheros-supported-on-321oo.html]</ref>


==Other accomplishments and recognition==
==Other accomplishments and recognition==

Revision as of 18:37, 7 April 2010

George Hotz
Born (1989-10-02) October 2, 1989 (age 34)
United States
Alma materBergen County Academies

George Francis Hotz (born October 2, 1989), alias geohot, million75 or simply mil is famous for working with other people to temporarily unlock the iPhone allowing the phone to be used with other wireless carriers, contrary to AT&T and Apple's intent[1][2] and jailbreaking the iPhone OS. He also exposed the existing bugs within the PlayStation 3 and released an exploit.[3]

Unlocking the Apple iPhone

According to his blog, Hotz traded his unlocked 8GB iPhone to Terry Daidone, the founder of Certicell, for a Nissan Skyline and 3 8GB iPhones.[4] Hotz said he wanted to give the iPhones to the other members of the team who created the hack with him.[5] Hotz's hardware based unlocking technique has largely been replaced by software unlocking that does not require dis-assembly of the iPhone.[6]

George Hotz recently developed the software unlock for the iPhone's new Bootloader Version 4.6 that was previously only achievable with a "testpoint based hardware unlock".[7]

On July 3, 2009, Hotz announced purplera1n, the first public software exploit for jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS. Details were posted on his blog.[8]

On October 11, 2009, at 3:33AM Hotz released blackra1n, a jailbreak for all iPhones and iPod Touches. The only caveat was that the iPod Touch 3G would need a "tethered jailbreak" to work.

On October 25, 2009 Hotz released Blackra1n RC2 an update to his previous blackra1n utility, This version allows MC Model users to jailbreak their iPod touches as well.[9]

On October 31, 2009 Hotz announced the impending release of Blacksn0w RC3, this version will allow SIM unlock of all iPhones.[10] Blacksn0w was originally scheduled for release on November 4, 2009, but due to positive test results it was moved to the 3rd. Blacksn0w was the #1 trending topic on Twitter as requested by GeoHot only moments after its release.

On March 25, 2010, Hotz announced he had found a way to do an untethered jailbreak on all currently tethered devices. He also said it will probably work on the iPad. The jailbreak will be entirely software-based. The release date for this jailbreak is currently unknown. He also shared a video entitled "Untethered Jailbreak" on Youtube featuring the new untethered jailbreak.[11]

Hacking the PlayStation 3

In the end of 2009 Hotz announced his efforts to hack the Sony PlayStation 3.[12] At that time, the console remained the only fully locked system of the seventh generation era and was widely regarded being very secure and almost unhackable. Hotz opened a blog to document his progress and five weeks later, on January 22, 2010, announced that he had successfully hacked the system saying: "Hello hypervisor, I'm geohot".[13][14] Hotz claimed that he achieved "read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV [hypervisor] level access to the processor". Hotz also detailed that his work could allow homebrew, PS2 emulation and the capability to run pirated PS3 games and game backups.[15]

On January 26, 2010, Hotz released the exploit to the public. It requires the Other OS function of the PS3 and consists of patching the Linux kernel and gaining control of the hypervisor with the help of an FPGA using a unique solder point.[16] Hotz declared that "Sony may have difficulty patching the exploit". As of March 28, 2010, Sony has responded by announcing to release a PlayStation 3 firmware update that removes the [Other OS] feature.[17].

On the April 7, 2010, Geohot posted a video to the internet showing a PS3 running the Other OS feature on firmware 3.21.[18]

Other accomplishments and recognition

Hotz was a finalist at the 2005 ISEF competition, with his project "The Googler".[19] Continuing with robots, Hotz competed in his school's highly successful Titanium Knights battlebots team. George also worked on his project, "Neuropilot," in which he was able to read EEG signals off his head with hardware from the OpenEEG project.

Hotz competed in the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a science competition for high school students, where his project, entitled "I want a Holodeck", received awards and prizes in several categories.[20] Hotz has received considerable attention in mainstream media, including interviews on the Today Show, Fox, CNN, NBC, CBS, G4, ABC[21] CNBC,[22] and articles in several magazines, newspapers, and websites, including Forbes,[23] and BBC.[24]

The Forbes article said Hotz hopes to go into neuroscience: "hacking the brain," he called it. In March 2008, PC World magazine listed George as one of the top 10 Overachievers under 21.[25]

In December 2007, Hotz travelled to Sweden to attend the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar and talk about his 3-D imaging invention (called Project Holodeck) that netted him a $20,000 Intel prize earlier that year.[26]

Controversy

YiPhone

On July 12, 2008, Hotz posted on his blog that he had obtained a copy of the iPhone Dev Team's unreleased hack for the iPhone 2.0 firmware. Hotz created a website, www.yiphone.org.[27] It was widely accepted that should the Dev Team fail to release their hack by the time the counter hit 0 that Hotz would release his exploit under the name of yiPhone. The Dev Team responded to the threat and created the site www.ihazsupper.com.[citation needed]

The website was a spoof rework of The last supper that targets Hotz and Kroo who are identified by Google sweaters and with the distinct lack of a halo that are adorned by the rest of the other characters in the image, Hotz takes the place of Judas Iscariot and the character of Kroo was made to lay in the lap of Steve Wozniak, these being obvious references to the leaked software and underhandedness of the subject matter.

Hotz later claimed that yiPhone itself was a spoof of the controversial unlock/jailbreak utility, ZiPhone and was Hotz's commentary on the claim that the author of Ziphone was using stolen code and soliciting large amounts of money. Hotz, in a statement on his blog stated that he "[has] never done the jailbreaks for any previous versions of the phone..."[28]

Responsibility for PS3 security measures

After Hotz's PS3 hack was released, Sony took the decision within weeks to remove OtherOS support from all PS3s by creating a new firmware update (to prevent the hack from being used). This caused many PS3 users who were uninterested in potential hacks but who wanted to continue using the OtherOS feature to become aware of Hotz. Hotz has, however, decided to attempt to create a custom firmware update which (if successful) will allow users to continue using the OtherOS feature and still be able to connect to the Playstation Network and use any features of newer firmware versions.

Personal life

Hotz grew up in Glen Rock, New Jersey, where he attended the Bergen County Academies, a magnet public high school. He has one sister, Julia Hotz, alias "Fifty". [29] He is currently using online social services including Twitter and Blogspot

References

  1. ^ Stone, Brad (August 25, 2007). "With Software and Soldering, AT&T's Lock on iPhone Is Undone". New York Times. p. C-1. Retrieved 2010-04-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Interview with 17 year old iPhone hacker". CNBC. September 30, 2007.
  3. ^ "Prolific hacker releases PlayStation exploit". The Register. January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  4. ^ On the iPhone: THE iPhone HAS BEEN TRADED, Accessed May 3, 2008.
  5. ^ On the iPhone: Postmortem. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  6. ^ Code to unlock iPhone cracked. Retrieved October 11, 2007.
  7. ^ On the iPhone: 11246unlock, good enough for the prize
  8. ^ On the iPhone
  9. ^ On the iPhone: blackra1n is live
  10. ^ On the iPhone: An Information Campaign
  11. ^ On the iPhone: Untethered Jailbreak
  12. ^ "A Real Challenge". George Hotz. December 26, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  13. ^ "On The PlayStation 3". George Hotz.
  14. ^ "Hello hypervisor, I'm geohot". George Hotz. January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  15. ^ "PlayStation 3 'hacked' by iPhone cracker". BBC News. January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  16. ^ "Here your silver platter". George Hotz. January 26, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  17. ^ PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update – PlayStation Blog
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ ISEF site listing finalists
  20. ^ Grand Awards Ceremony of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2007. Intel Education. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
  21. ^ YouTube - Teen 'Unlocks' iPhone From AT&T Network
  22. ^ Breitbart.tv » iPhone Hacker Explains How He Did It
  23. ^ Junior R&D - Forbes.com
  24. ^ Fildes, Jonathan (January 25, 2010). "PlayStation 3 'hacked' by iPhone cracker". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  25. ^ PC World - Meet the Whiz Kids: 10 Overachievers Under 21
  26. ^ SIYSS Participants List
  27. ^ yiPhone Website[dead link]
  28. ^ On the iPhone: yiPhone and otherwise
  29. ^ McKay, Martha. "Tech whiz cracks code tying it to AT&T network", The Record (Bergen County), August 24, 2007. Accessed August 27, 2007. "The 17-year-old Glen Rock resident posted the complicated steps on his blog Thursday.... 'I've lived and breathed that phone for the last two months,' said Hotz, a Bergen County Academies grad who won a prestigious $20,000 Intel science fair prize this year for a device that projects a 3-D image. His father is currently a teacher at girls only school IHA. (Immaculate Heart Academy)
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