JJkizak Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I read on the Sony Media Software forum where two websites have found and analized DRM software on Sony commercial discs that installs in your root system. It will allow only three copies to be made and the discs will not play without the software installed. The software cannot be removed unless all drives are re-formatted. The software continually scans your system as long as it is turned on and by doing so uses 2% of you CPU processing capability. After installation it then opens new pathways for hackers and spyware people to get into your computer. I don't know how this will relate to stand-alone players. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 More info about this than you might ever want to know is available here - http://www.sysinternals.com/Blog/ "The entire experience was frustrating and irritating. Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files." It's all over the net. Google "Sony DRM malware" It shouldn't effect stand alone players. I'm hoping some trial lawyer gets his PC trashed by this virus-like software that Sony installs via their audio CD's. Given that this operation is not mentioned in their End User License Agreement, a person might want to question the legality of what they are doing by re-writing the software on *your* PC... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I'd say it's time to teach Sony a lesson. Boycott ALL Sony products. They don't make anything I can't live without. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I'd say it's time to teach Sony a lesson. James v count me in on the Class Action Suit ..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I'd say it's time to teach Sony a lesson. Boycott ALL Sony products. They don't make anything I can't live without. James I agree. They don't make toilet tissue for this s+++. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I'd say it's time to teach Sony a lesson. James v count me in on the Class Action Suit ..! Count me in for some $$ when someone puts out contracts on Sony execs. I've spend countless hours in my life removing software like this. I've no patience for it and think it's inexcusable. Lets hope they get a chance to use some of their high priced lawyers to try and defend this behavior... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 That is just crap. Would a firewall protect a potential victim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 No, a firewall only affects data moving through your network....this is software being insalled by trying to play a music CD on your computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfyr Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 A couple generic comments. One, a cup of coffee says the end user agreement DOES say that Sony is entitled to install anything that is in their driver/SW package!! 95% of all spyware and malware is actively invited into systems by the blind clickthroughs required to access sites or install applications! But when was the last time YOU read through a 6 page microtype legalese document intentionally worded to obsfucate an issue> (OK!!! Besides this post!!![][]) Two, a firewall can indeed help you. If the SW dials out to communicate, a good firewall (heck, just Zone Alarm Pro) can be configured to monitor and control access of programs in dialing out to the net as well as allowing external access into your computer. Just make sure that under "Program Control", that you chose the proper restrictions. And copy control is allowed under the new Digital Rights Millennium Copyright Goobledygoop law! Enjoy!!!!![][:'(] And on that tact, get used to it!!! You 'ain't' seen nothing yet!! Wait until the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray units hit the market in force!!! It's going to get 'real fun'!!![6] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 A couple generic comments. One, a cup of coffee says the end user agreement DOES say that Sony is entitled to install anything that is in their driver/SW package!! 95% of all spyware and malware is actively invited into systems by the blind clickthroughs required to access sites or install applications! But when was the last time YOU read through a 6 page microtype legalese document intentionally worded to obsfucate an issue> (OK!!! Besides this post!!![][]) Two, a firewall can indeed help you. If the SW dials out to communicate, a good firewall (heck, just Zone Alarm Pro) can be configured to monitor and control access of programs in dialing out to the net as well as allowing external access into your computer. Just make sure that under "Program Control", that you chose the proper restrictions. And copy control is allowed under the new Digital Rights Millennium Copyright Goobledygoop law! Enjoy!!!!![][:'(] And on that tact, get used to it!!! You 'ain't' seen nothing yet!! Wait until the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray units hit the market in force!!! It's going to get 'real fun'!!![6] I don't recall ever seeing an EULA in the package with an audio CD. There's probably some ultra fine print somewhere on the CD label that points you to a website that has it or something else just as disingenuous. Making copies is allowed under DMCA, but tampering with another person's software is a somewhat of a gray area, and doing so to any software that falls under any sort of loosely defined "encryption" scheme is a lot less gray. It would be poetic justice if Sony fell into one of the traps with the law that they've attempted to set for everyone else who they "think" might be stealing their product. Things like this certainly make a person think Sony is crying crocodile tears over their alleged lost revenue. As if we didn't know that already... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfyr Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 The EULA to which I referred pertained more to downloaded software where the privacy policies are not readily apparent (but often hidden in some obtuse link- or better yet, they must be requested! Or, they don't even have to post them!!) Regarding copyrighted material such as CDs, they are not obliged to allow ANY copying of material they own/control. Nor do they have to disclose the copy protection nor the schema employed. And protection schemes be they SW or HW based, like it or not, are not prevented either. By using their software, you implicitly agree! This has been debated regarding the EULA being inside a package whereby you cannot return the SW after the package is opened! Nifty huh!? I apologize for being the bearer of bad news, as I suspect I may be even more 'perturbed' by the situation then many/most of you! So please don't get me wrong! I am not in support of this nonsense! And legally things are not getting better! Even 'fair use' has been restricted in many cases! As I said, we have seen only the tip of the coming iceberg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Found it - http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/sony-eula.htm The friendly Sony EULA. Good luck getting anything more out of it than "We warranty nothing, we can change our mind anytime we like, and you accept everything." I'd post an embedded link but for some reason the link button doesn't work in Netscape. Anyone have a fix for that? DMCA is a mess. There are unanswered questions like "Who*really* owns the rights to a digital photo if your camera uses a form of encryption to store the file or portions of it, and you don't have explicit permission to unencrypt it from the camera manufacturer." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholtl Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Sony has caved and put up a patch that will show the hidden files. Supposedly they also have an uninstaller for it. It affects about 20 titles inlcuding discs from The Bad Plus and Vivian Green. Here's the link for the software removal: http://cp.sonybmg.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Sony has caved and put up a patch that will show the hidden files. Supposedly they also have an uninstaller for it. It affects about 20 titles inlcuding discs from The Bad Plus and Vivian Green. Here's the link for the software removal: http://cp.sonybmg.com XCP-Aurora Support Please choose an update from the list below. Software Updates Latest Update Service Pack 2 2|Nov|2005, 3.253Mb This Service Pack removes the cloaking technology component that has been recently discussed in a number of articles published regarding the XCP Technology used on SONY BMG content protected CDs. This component is not malicious and does not compromise security. However to alleviate any concerns that users may have about the program posing potential security vulnerabilities, this update has been released to enable users to remove this component from their computers. No matter how much they spin, Sony = 0wned by the internet once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Mobley Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Those guys at sysinternals are well-respected and well-liked on the net. I've been using Marks stuff since before it was winternals, which was long before it was sysinternals. Good people all the way around. Not many people could have torn Sony a new one like he did. Really nice with all the screenshots and stuff. The guy has no fear, he's gone up against M$ and came out ok on stuff. No Sony CDs will be crossing my hardware ever again. I used to really like thier hardware, but a lot of it has gone downhill lately too. Who needs them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdm56 Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I just read about this issue on the Stereophile website and I gotta say I just find it depressing. The unmitigated greed of the big music and movie copyright holders never fails to astound me. Plus, it makes me wonder what the future holds for music and movie lovers; some kind of Orwellian scenario where no one can own any copyrighted content? And every time we want to hear a song, we have to pay? Where will it end??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I just noticed this. It was filed right away. That didn't take long at all did it- http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/calif_ny_lawsui.html "A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of California consumers who may have been harmed by anti-piracy software installed by some Sony music CDs." "The suit alleges that Sony's software violates at least three California statutes, including the "Consumer Legal Remedies Act," which governs unfair and/or deceptive trade acts; and the "Consumer Protection against Computer Spyware Act," which prohibits -- among other things -- software that takes control over the user's computer or misrepresents the user's ability or right to uninstall the program. The suit also alleges that Sony's actions violate the California Unfair Competition law, which allows public prosecutors and private citizens to file lawsuits to protect businesses and consumers from unfair business practices. ' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 if yer in Cali, or nY ... email any problems Sony has caused you to ...allison *at* eff.org... Electronic Frontiers Foundation ... they are coallating problems for presentation ...to Atty Generals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSharp Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Opps... As if this wasn't predicted too... "Viruses exploit Sony CD copy-protection scheme SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - A controversial copy-protection program that automatically installs when some Sony BMG audio CDs are played on personal computers is now being exploited by malicious software that takes advantage of the antipiracy technology's ability to hide files. The Trojan horse programs -- three have so far been identified by antivirus companies -- are named so as to trigger the cloaking feature of Sony's XCP2 antipiracy technology. By piggybacking on that function, the malicious programs can enter undetected, security experts said Thursday." http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/personal_technology/13134753.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.