A group of computer hobbyists has resumed its effort to crack the main security code for Microsoft's Xbox video game console. The Neo Project, a group that uses distributed computing techniques to crack security challenges, on Wednesday began offering software for its "Operation Project X." . . .
A group of computer hobbyists has resumed its effort to crack the main security code for Microsoft's Xbox video game console. The Neo Project, a group that uses distributed computing techniques to crack security challenges, on Wednesday began offering software for its "Operation Project X."

Distributed computing, best known for the Seti@Home project, utilises the processing power of multiple computers to carry out complex computing tasks.

The Neo Project software will use thousands of PCs to try to guess the 2,048-bit encryption code used by the Xbox, an approach that could take years to yield results.

A cracked encryption code could allow hackers to run homemade Linux software on an unmodified Xbox, satisfying a the rules of a $100,000 Xbox hacking challenge established by Michael Robertson, chief executive of Linux software company Lindows.

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