Editing Modchip (section)

== Anti-modchip measures ==

Most modchips open the system to copied media, therefore the availability of a modchip for a console system is undesirable for console manufacturers. They react by removing the intrusion points exploited by a modchip from subsequent hardware or software versions, changing the PCB layout the modchips are customized for, or by having the firmware or software detect an installed modchip and refuse operation as a consequence. Since modchips often hook into fundamental functions of the host system that cannot be removed or adjusted, these measures may not completely prevent a modchip from functioning but only prompt an adjustment of its installation process or programming, e.g. to include measures to make it undetectable ("stealth") to its host system.

With the advent of online services to be used by video game consoles, some manufacturers have executed their possibilities within the service's [[end-user license agreement|license agreement]] to ban consoles equipped with modchips from using those services.<ref>[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/legal/legal-tou.htm Xbox LIVE Terms of Use] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104033228/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/LIVE/legal/legal-tou.htm |date=2008-11-04 }}, Section 14</ref>

In an effort to dissuade modchip creation, some console manufacturers included the option to run homebrew software or even an alternative operating system on their consoles, such as [[Linux for PlayStation 2]]. However, some of these features have been withdrawn at a later date.<ref>[[Microsoft XNA]]</ref><ref>[[Linux for PlayStation 2]]</ref><ref>[[Linux for PlayStation 3]]</ref> An argument can be made that a console system remains largely untouched by modchips as long as their manufacturers provide an official way of running unlicensed third-party software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2010/27c3-4087-en-console_hacking_2010.html |title=27C3: Console Hacking 2010 |date=3 January 2011 |publisher=Media.ccc.de |access-date=2012-04-03}}</ref>