Malicious Worm Hits Jailbroken iPhones

iPhone 3GS

Nefarious hackers are trying to get extract banking information from people with jailbroken iPhones. The good news is that the problem is currently restricted to ING Bank customers in The Netherlands. The bad news is that it could spread. Engadget Mobile has reported:

It targets jailbroken handsets with SSH installed, but this time adds the ability for the hacker to remotely control and access the phone. By throwing up a purported ING Direct login page, he (or she, or they) can collect your online banking credentials and, presumably, all the cash they are supposed to protect. Presently isolated within the Netherlands, this outbreak may spread further still, as it is capable of infecting other jailbroken iPhones on the same WiFi network.

I’ve always been wary of the whole jailbreaking process. Sure, it frees up the iPhone and allows for all sorts of unofficial apps, but it can also be problematic with official updates and programs. Apparently hackers target jailbroken iPhones too, since this is the second worm targeted towards these handsets. There are lots of cool things you can do with an unlocked iPhone, but it just doesn’t seem worth the hassle (for me).

Any of you using a jailbroken iPhone? Hopefully your banking 411 is safe.

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Today’s Poll: Which Dragon Age Country Do You Want to Play In?

Thedas map

The excellent writers of Dragon Age: Origins did a fine job of setting up the game’s sequels. While this chapter of the DA saga had you and your party marching around Ferelden, several other lands were mentioned in the game’s dialogue and the numerous codex.

Leliana’s home country or Orlais once ruled Ferelden. It’s still the most powerful nation in Thedas, full of political intrugue and sexy bards. If gay elf assassins are more your thing, the lawless world of Antiva might be for you. Although it’s fronted by royalty, criminal organizations and merchant guilds are the real powers here. The island nations of Par Vollen and Seheron are home to the Qunari — giant people that are driven by war and a strict code of honor.

Which of these lands would want to invade in Dragon Age 2? Leave your answer in the poll and your reasoning in the comments section (please)!

[poll id=”11″]

Fallout 3 Avatar Clothes Coming Thursday

Fallout 3 Avatar clothing

Bethesda has announced a line of Fallout 3 dolly avatar clothes for Xbox Live. The following threads and one accessory will be available on Thursday:

  • Vault 101 Suit — 240 MS Points
  • Bethesda Game Studios Shirt — 80 MS Points
  • Fallout 3 Ringer Shirt — 80 MS Points
  • Vault Boy Shirt — 80 MS Points
  • Vault Boy Suit — 240 MS Points
  • Vault Boy Head — 80 MS Points

I know that a lot of you are down on dolly avatar clothes and accessories, but some of this Fallout 3 gear is cool. Anyone tempted to buy some?

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PSA: Amazon.com Videogame Lightning Deals All Day Today!

Updated 12:00PM PST

Amazon.com videogame “Lightning Deals” are happening all day today. These are limited-supply deals, so check early and check often. I’ll update this post to list the current deals.

  • New Play Control Pikmin for Wii — $14.98
  • Call of Duty 4: Game of the Year Edition for PS3 — $25.00 Expired
  • Rock Band 2: Special Edition for PS3 or Xbox 360 — $70.00
  • UFC Undisputed — $25.00
  • Call of Duty: World at War for Wii — $27.00
  • Nintendo DS Lite Red/Black — $97.98

All expired!!!

PSA: Xbox Live Deal(s) of the Week: Peggle and Fable II

Peggle Xbox 360

Microsoft has three “Deals of the Week” for Xbox Live Gold members. They are:

  • Peggle for for 400 points
  • Fable II: See the Future for 400 points
  • Death Tank for 800 points

If you haven’t gone through Peggle addiction, this is a great time to lose yourself in this wonderful game. Any of you ladies and gents picking these deals up?

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Nintendo Announces New DSi Colors and Bundles for Black Friday

DSi Black Friday Blue

Nintendo of America has announced two new limited-edition colors for its wildly popular DSi handheld gaming system. The new colors will be available this week and come with five pre-loaded games.

The Metallic Blue bundle will ship with Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator, and Mario Clock.

The Metallic White model comes with Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, and Photo Clock.

Hit the break for a photo of the Metallic White bundle.

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Revenge of the Wounded Dragons Brings Chilean Kung-Fu to PSN

Wanako Studios’ Revenge of the Wounded Dragons is being released for PlayStation Network this week. This old-school arcade game serves up some classic beat-’em-up action for your PS3. Really though, I’m just amused that a Chilean developer made a game that’s set in China. That would be like Rumble in the Bronx being filmed in Vancouver…waitaminute.

Here are some bullet points, for those of you interested in more 411 on this PSN title:

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Gameloft Cuts Investment in Google Android

Google Android

Gameloft, one of the oldest and biggest names in mobile phone games, has cut its development investment in Google’s Android platform. The Washington Post quoted Gameloft finance director Alexandre de Rochefort as saying:

We have significantly cut our investment in Android platform, just like … many others. It is not as neatly done as on the iPhone. Google has not been very good to entice customers to actually buy products. On Android nobody is making significant revenue.

While he has a point about the Android Marketplace not being as “neat” as the iPhone App Store, I think this is an amazingly shortsighted move. Android handsets have only started popping up on three of the four major American carriers this fall. A number of analysts have predicted that Android will be the leading smartphone platform by 2012. Being first and being established on Android would be a wise move for Gameloft, but I’m guessing the bean counters are only looking at immediate returns.

Do you think Android has a big future? Or is Gameloft doing the right thing by cutting the cord early?

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Gas Powered Games’ Chris Taylor Talks Working with Square Enix, Challenges in the New Economy, Going Digital, and More

Chris TaylorFrom Total Annihilation to Dungeon Siege to Supreme Commander, Chris Taylor has a long and storied history with real-time strategy games. Gas Powered Games’ founder and lead designer on the upcoming Supreme Commander 2 is one of the most important creators in gaming, continually taking the RTS genre to new heights. He also happens to be ridiculously funny (sometimes it hurts hanging out with him, from all the laughing) and super sharp. I recently caught up with Taylor to ask him about working with Square Enix, running a development studio during an economic downturn, downloadable content, and more.

Raymond Padilla: Hey Chris! How is the funniest man in game development doing these days?

Chris Taylor: Keeping the dream alive, as I like to say!

RP: You’re hard at work on Supreme Commander 2. While lots of people are excited about the game, I’m really interested in your experiences working with Square Enix. From your dealings, what are the differences between working with a Western publisher and a Japanese one?

CT: They’ve been really great to work with, and they’ve easily been among the best publishers we’ve ever worked with. Truly a pleasure.

RP: Did you ever get the “token white guy” feeling during business meetings with Square Enix?

CT: LOL… Come here Ray… can I have a hug?

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