Play a Sony BMG cd on your computer - get a virus for free.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Proof that record companies are really the criminals. Read more.

[lasersailor184]

It was like reading an article in French.  All I understood was "Sony bad!"

[GtoRA2]

Sounds like Sony is putting some crappy stuff on your system to protect their crappy music.


The story.

[Skuzzy]

You really should do some more research before pointing fingers.  It is the reason I did not link to that when I posted about this issue in the Tech Support forum.

If you want to blame anyone, then blame Microsoft.  They are the ones who are shoving DRM down our throats.  Game companies are also using copy-protection devices and not telling you about it either.  Sony is just the first of the rest of the CD music industry implementing some form of copy protection.

[GtoRA2]

HA! HA!


URL=http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163665]My link![/URL]


Skuz,
You may want to combine here?

[Panzzer]

You might want to read this  or even this.

[GtoRA2]

Hmmm well yeah, lol

Tech support? Who reads that crap!?

[Tuomio]

Not only does this particular Sony copy protection program fit completely in the definition of spyware and malicious software, which is illegal in most countries and could get you locked up. It also has active program (eats some 2% of CPU resources all the time, or so im told), that hides all filenames beginning with $sys$ from inspection, providing ready platform for some virus to take advantage of.

The comment portion of the page is the most informative. If this would hit headline news, there could be some serious trouble coming for Sony as their EULA is not properly refitted to refuse liability of problems caused by this software. This virus was ironically developed by branch of Symantec corporation. All the money, yet they fail to do this kind of silly thing right.

[Chairboy]

Originally posted by Tuomio
This virus was ironically developed by branch of Symantec corporation. All the money, yet they fail to do this kind of silly thing right.

Say WHAT?!  I'd be fascinated to see a citation for this.  I work for Symantec, and I'm pretty sure we detect this root-kit as an infection.  Why the hell would we CREATE it?

[GtoRA2]

All this means for  me is I will never buy another Sony Music CD.


Though I have not bought a sony music CD in years so it is a non issue.

[Tuomio]

Originally posted by Chairboy
Say WHAT?!  I'd be fascinated to see a citation for this.  I work for Symantec, and I'm pretty sure we detect this root-kit as an infection.  Why the hell would we CREATE it?

This is in the comments portion, i dont know if its actually true:

Sent an email earlier today to New Media Manager, Stein Vegusdal @ SonyBMG Norway. In his reply he states that Mark has violated the DMCA act when he tried to find the installed rootkit and manually removed it. As per, he states that it clearly says in the EULA that customers have to contact Sony customerservice for getting removalinstructions. As to try to remove it yourself, Sony seems to think of it as a breach of the DMCA act and other applicable laws around the world. Further he states that First4Internet is a Symantec-partner and that Symantec has posted it as not harmful.. Seems like we can wait for forever for a Symantec removal tool against this **** then.

[2bighorn]

Originally posted by Chairboy
Why the hell would we CREATE it?

For money?

[Skuzzy]

1)  Sony licensed the technology, as are many other companies.  It is not a virus, and cannot be construed as a virus.  It is a public piece of software which any company can license.  It uses techniques which Microsoft has used for years to hide things from the end user.
2)  Sony does not have to declare a thing as it is covered in the Microsoft license about DRM.  

The upshot is this;  Basically Microsoft has granted any company the right to install software under the DRM tent which is intended to help protect copy-righted works.

How many of you who are complaining also playe Silent Hunter III?  It installs its own copy-protection software without telling you about it as well.

You guys really have not been keeping up with DRM have you?  You think this is bad, you might want to take a serious look into Vista, as it gets worse as this goes forward.

[GtoRA2]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
1)  Sony licensed the technology, as are many other companies.
2)  Sony does not have to declare a thing as it is covered in the Microsoft license about DRM.  

The upshot is this;  Basically Microsoft has granted any company the right to install software under the DRM tent which is intended to help protect copy-righted works.

How many of you who are complaining also playe Silent Hunter III?  It installs its own copy-protection software without telling you about it as well.

You guys really have not been keeping up with DRM have you?  You think this is bad, you might want to take a serious look into Vista, as it gets worse as this goes forward.

Sad stuff really. I didnt buy Silent hunter 3 for this reason.

You think Microsoft will push this crap far enough that people will start looking at linsux and Macs an alternative?

[Skuzzy]

Apple is fighting it, but it does not appear they will for much longer.  There appears some type of legal agreement between them and Microsoft which may force Apple into supporting DRM.

Dunt quote me on that one yet.  I am still digging.


As far as another OS goes.s  No chance.  99% of the people who use an MS OS have no idea what goes on in the background.