DNAS
Encyclopedia
Dynamic Network Authentication System (DNAS) is a proprietary authentication
system created by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
. DNAS retrieves information about a user's hardware and software for authentication, copy protection
, account blocking, system, rules, or game management and other purposes.
DNAS consists in using a set of codes in a protected area of the game DVD
together with serial numbers from the console EEPROM
for online authentication
. Game backups or copies using regular DVD-R
burner
s do not have this protected area, and the games fail to authenticate to the servers. To circumvent this, programs have been made available that patch
the client portion of the game to report hardcoded values without attempting to access the protected area of the DVD. This makes it possible to play online with game backups and illegal copies.
Some games have a double DNAS check to prevent people from patching them. These techniques have been introduced by Electronic Arts
in most of their recent games, but it has not shown any positive results. Many new techniques for authentication are being tried, with very little success for the game companies. A group of computer hackers have found a way to bypass the DNAS server and use cheats online. This issue marks games such as Socom II and Socom Combined Assault, making normal, clean games rarer.
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
system created by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
. DNAS retrieves information about a user's hardware and software for authentication, copy protection
Copy protection
Copy protection, also known as content protection, copy obstruction, copy prevention and copy restriction, refer to techniques used for preventing the reproduction of software, films, music, and other media, usually for copyright reasons.- Terminology :Media corporations have always used the term...
, account blocking, system, rules, or game management and other purposes.
DNAS consists in using a set of codes in a protected area of the game DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
together with serial numbers from the console EEPROM
EEPROM
EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory and is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store small amounts of data that must be saved when power is removed, e.g., calibration...
for online authentication
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
. Game backups or copies using regular DVD-R
DVD-R
DVD-R is a DVD recordable format. A DVD-R typically has a storage capacity of 4.71 GB. Pioneer has also developed an 8.5 GB dual layer version, DVD-R DL, which appeared on the market in 2005....
burner
DVD recorder
A DVD recorder , is an optical disc recorder that uses Optical disc recording technologies to digitally record analog signal or digital signals onto blank writable DVD media...
s do not have this protected area, and the games fail to authenticate to the servers. To circumvent this, programs have been made available that patch
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
the client portion of the game to report hardcoded values without attempting to access the protected area of the DVD. This makes it possible to play online with game backups and illegal copies.
Some games have a double DNAS check to prevent people from patching them. These techniques have been introduced by Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
in most of their recent games, but it has not shown any positive results. Many new techniques for authentication are being tried, with very little success for the game companies. A group of computer hackers have found a way to bypass the DNAS server and use cheats online. This issue marks games such as Socom II and Socom Combined Assault, making normal, clean games rarer.