It was inevitable that malicious software writers would sooner or later get to work to produce something to frustrate the millions of PSP users the world over and hinder their enjoyment of one of the most awesome entertainment units ever created. And now it seems that they have.
Malicious code is now being distributed and is targeted at PSP users the world over. Naturally this mostly happens through downloading of stuff on the net. Of course as is the case with viruses elsewhere, the whole idea is to shut you down.
For instance one of the recent viruses that has been circulating is the "Trojan horse" programs that damage PSPs and make them unusable. These have now been positively identified at various sites waiting for unsuspecting PSP users to download them and thus cause havoc on their own PSP units.
The whole objective of the malicious code is to bypass the software in the PSP that makes it specially designed to run and operate only approved programs and games. This is done by having unauthorized codes or patches downloaded to bypass all restrictions. Once installed it usually deletes vital operating files making the PSP unusable. Many times these viruses are to be found circulating in popular gaming web sites.
In many cases there is no way of "repairing" this software instigated shut down of the PSP. The only solution involves taking your PSP for full-blown expensive repair.
Viruses can in fact be very destructive and harmful to a PSP. Trust those malicious software writers to target popular Sony PSP.
PSP users should be especially careful when downloading stuff. For this reason it is always advisable not to download anything for a site that you are not familiar with. Users should be especially careful about sites that seem to offer almost too good to be true download offers.
One should be especially careful of the multitudes of different unofficial sites that have emerged offering all sorts of useful stuff for PSP users. Most of these sites have proved to be extremely useful and resourceful to PSP users and have greatly helped in helping users to increase on their enjoyment of the PSP. Sadly the bad guys are hiding in the midst of the good guys.
A huge and rapidly growing cottage industry has developed over the months since the launch of the Sony PSP which focus around offering useful tools for converting and copying files for PSP use as well as helping solve a number of PSP-related technical problems which users may run into from time to time.