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New Sony CD's install rootkit
*mipadi*
post Nov 1 2005, 12:00 PM
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Well, this isn't kosher:

Mark Russinovich, of SysInternals.com, has discovered a so-called "rootkit" which is installed by Sony's new digital rights management-protected music compact disks (CDs). A rootkit is a common name for malicious software that is used by hackers or criminals to gain access to a computer system and be able to clandestinely run other malicious code. Rootkits frequently contain hidden and hard to remove files and are designed to be difficult for the user to remove.

Russinovich classifies Son'y malware as a rootkit because it introduce several serious security holes, one of which is intended to be exploited to hide files and prevent the user from removing them. In particular, all executable files which begin with '$sys$' are hidden when the software is installed. He points out that these security holes could be exploited by hackers, or other malware producers besides Sony.

Russinovich explains that naively removing the files will result in a crippling of the operating system on the user's computer. He provides an explination of the difficult step required to remove Sony's malware.

Playing the same CDs under Linux or on a non-computer based CD player remains safe. As removing Sony's malware may violate the DMCA, ripping the CDs under Linux may be the best legal option for those who wish to listen to them under Windows.

The software is automatically installed when a Sony CD is played on a computer, and is not mentioned in their EULA. The rootkit appears to have been commercially developed by First 4 Internet and lisenced to Sony.

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*tweeak*
post Nov 17 2005, 08:26 PM
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We took time out of history class to rant about Sony because my teacher was angry that he'd bought a $600 camera and then was required to buy a $30 cord from them for something for it, since they have that kind of monopolistic thing going on with it.
 
*kryogenix*
post Nov 20 2005, 09:15 PM
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http://today.reuters.com/investing/finance...-33_L18167933:1

Sony is giving away mp3's from the rootkitted cds.
 
sadolakced acid
post Nov 20 2005, 09:24 PM
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i think it would be better to boycott other music companies that use DRM right now. would work better than boycotting sony, they'd take it that thier releasing of MP3s wasn't a good idea.
 
DaTru KataLYST
post Nov 21 2005, 02:47 AM
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白人看不懂 !!!!
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I dont think the Sony execs are getting enough air in their brain. =/


Justin, I love the red text in the sig. Awesome.
 
EddieV
post Nov 21 2005, 10:12 AM
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QUOTE(sadolakced acid @ Nov 13 2005, 12:57 PM)
^  se!

and michael joins the fray.

i have...  i think about 200 songs i got legally...  the rest, from friends, library, etc.
and i have like...  1400 songs.

whistling.gif
*


That's nothing. If the RIAA catches me I'm done. I wouldn't be able to pay the fee if I tried.
 
*kryogenix*
post Nov 21 2005, 02:42 PM
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QUOTE(xnofearx @ Nov 21 2005, 10:12 AM)
That's nothing. If the RIAA catches me I'm done. I wouldn't be able to pay the fee if I tried.
*


Why do people brag about what they pirate?
 
*mipadi*
post Nov 21 2005, 02:57 PM
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QUOTE(kryogenix @ Nov 21 2005, 2:42 PM)
Why do people brag about what they pirate?
*

Kryo pretty much just pulled a printf(mipadis_thoughts_exactly), as they say.
 
*tweeak*
post Nov 21 2005, 04:40 PM
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As who says?
 
*mipadi*
post Nov 21 2005, 04:44 PM
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Other C programmers, I guess.
 
EddieV
post Nov 22 2005, 11:17 AM
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QUOTE(kryogenix @ Nov 21 2005, 2:42 PM)
Why do people brag about what they pirate?
*


I don't know...

er...

Because I like music?

Good point I think I should stop.
 
sadolakced acid
post Nov 22 2005, 04:36 PM
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just to point out how stupid the RIAA is.

notice how it's the book industry doens't blame people lending books to thier friends, nor libraries, whereas the RIAA is all about that.
 
*tweeak*
post Nov 22 2005, 07:55 PM
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Barnes and Noble is perfectly fine with me sitting and reading their books and magazines for hours on end with little intention of buying anything besides several caffienated beverages and maybe a pretzel if I stay long enough. Still, my Starbucks fixation does the authors no good, and it's harder to make money off a book than a cd, because at least there's concerts and merchandise, etc. What do you get out of a book tour?
 
EddieV
post Nov 22 2005, 09:05 PM
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^ If the book is good buy it I guess....
 
sadolakced acid
post Nov 22 2005, 11:29 PM
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i think the only reason barnes and nobles can afford to stay open is two things:

starbucks and gifts.
 
EddieV
post Nov 24 2005, 11:39 PM
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^ Some people (like me) actually buy books from Barnes and Nobles. Much more comfortable reading at home.
 
sadolakced acid
post Nov 24 2005, 11:45 PM
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^ i find it much more comfortable to read at B and N. i do buy stuff tho...
 
EddieV
post Nov 25 2005, 12:31 AM
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^ Oh, I like lying on my bed while reading, but that's just me....
 
*mipadi*
post Nov 29 2005, 03:28 PM
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http://www.businessweek.com/technology/con...1129_938966.htm

Looks like Sony new weeks ahead of time that there was a security flaw with their DRM software rootkit, and did nothing about it--even though they claimed to have acted as fast as they could once they found out about the problems.
 
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