PS3:Blocking PSN and OFW Updates
If you plan on playing offline exclusively, the easiest way to prevent your console and account from getting accidentally banned is to change the np-environment. The np-environment is an option that lets you choose which network your PS3 is connected to. By default it is set to PSN, while developers may use one of the 52 developer-only or Sony-internal networks if they are whitelisted. A full list of networks can be found on the devwiki.
Note: If a retail console is converted to use a DEX kernel, then online firmware updates will also be blocked.
Update Spoofing/Blocking with webMAN MOD
If you want to block updates and/or access PSN on old firmware, download this file and put it on the root of dev_hdd0. If webMAN-MOD is installed, it will use this file to spoof the console's version to the latest firmware available.
Disabling or Re-Enabling PSN through np-environment
Disabling PSN will mitigate any chance of getting banned by preventing your system from connecting to PSN. It will also prevent you from updating games via the XMB, but updating games through Multiman will still work.
- Enable the QA flag on your console. If you are on Rebug, skip to step 4.
- Navigate to the Settings column on the XMB and highlight "Network Settings".
- Press and hold the following:
Dpad-down + L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + L3, this will enable Debug Settings. - Open Debug Settings and select "np-environment".
- Type in any word to disable PSN, or "np" to re-enable PSN, and then press Start.