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Watch out for Sony DRM'ed CDs

EDIT2: Sony has halted the use of this DRM scheme amid complaints from the Department of Homeland Security. I have the full write up here: Fun quotes from DHS

Hey folks, I'm not sure if everyone has heard, but Sony has started to use a rather malicious form of DRM (digital rights management) on several of their new CD albums.

Short Version:

For Windows users, it installs a "rootkit", literally opening a backdoor to your computer to Sony and anyone else that knows about this kit. It should go without saying that if I know about it, folks who can do damage know about it as well.

Such DRM'ed CD's include Sarah McLachlan�s Bloom, Brian Eno's Ambient #1, and others like Ricky Martin and Santana.

Anyways, I've written up a longer version that talks about the details of the kit, and info about the State of California filing a class action lawsuit against Sony: DJ Horus.com

I'm not trying to be alarmist here, I understand the place for reasonable DRM (see iTunes for an example of reasonable DRM) but this software is not mentioned during the install process, has no reasonable method of uninstallation, and literally opens a now well-known door to the less scrupulous.

Be careful, read the labels and if this bothers you let Sony know how you feel.

EDIT: Also, I'd like to point out that this bug hurts anyone connected to a network, like the internet. Yes, even if you aren't infected yourself. For every computer compromised in this manner is another computer that sends spam and other malicious or illegal data (think child porn or DOS attacks here) w/o their owners knowledge.

as long as it dont fuck with my right to rip shit i buy.

quote:

Originally posted by washout as long as it dont fuck with my right to rip shit i buy.

Oh, I totally agree. I believe this software allows you to rip the files three times, but I could be mistaken. The real problem is that Sony has unwittingly installed a backdoor into a bunch of computers and no one knew about it until now. The worst part is that others are taking advantage of this hole. Not cool at all.

They're welcome to try, I have rootkit removal software. PWND, bitches.

EDIT: Who the heck installs software from music CDs anyway? I just rip them.

Re: Watch out for Sony DRM'ed CDs

quote:

Originally posted by Solkanar512 Ricky Martin

this shit deserves to be DRM'ed.

Re: Re: Watch out for Sony DRM'ed CDs

quote:

Originally posted by eRRaTiK this shit deserves to be DRM'ed.

Never looked at it that way before...

The more I read into this, the more scary it becomes. What right do they have to install unknown MALWARE on your computer?

Luckily it won't affect me, since I don't run unknown software, but it's still fucking ridiculous. They HAVE apparently released an uninstaller�, though. (though reaching it is hell)

What if other Sony branches start doing this? What if that new CD/DVD player (like the one I just bought) you buy does it - and it's uninstallable as long as you have the player installed?

Have you already tried to remove it with F-Secure Blacklight or Sysinternals RootkitRevealer ?

edit: another one here : http://updates.xcp-aurora.com/

Fucking DRM is gay .....

erm....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051110/tc_nm/sony_hack_dc

hackers will be always one step ahead

quote:

Originally posted by DRM Fucking DRM is gay ..... erm....

quote:

Originally posted by DRM Fucking DRM is gay ..... erm....

Maybe now is the time to become "RaveApe" on here mike

Ive been following this in another forum.

Far as I know you STILL CANT REMOVE IT. You put the CD in the computer and it installs itself automatically. It hides itself as a rootkit.

The Sony fix merely makes it visable.

Deleting the files fucks up Windows.

quote:

Originally posted by THE_Chris Ive been following this in another forum. Far as I know you STILL CANT REMOVE IT. You put the CD in the computer and it installs itself automatically. It hides itself as a rootkit. The Sony fix merely makes it visable. Deleting the files fucks up Windows.

They have a removal thingie too, but it requires several forms and activeX components to be filled and installed... Read the follow-ups of the article.

very scary, i am sure they will now find ways to find peoples downloads which are also sony albums, and then try to have people arrested. It was only time that this someone would start figuring some way they could come after people.

Watch out folks!

That is something just so stupid. What the f**k s Sony thinking with those? That's not way to stop piratism, that's way to grow piratism. Anyway I propably have no need to buy any Sony CD's in the first place.

Hmm I don't think I've bought a CD in like, um, 6 years

I have seen a way to remove the software and return your CD player to working order. AI linked to this in my longer write up, but if you follow the directions at the end, you should be ok.

Linky

Good luck if you have this, I'd hate to be in your shoes.

You have to make sure that the CD doesn't "Autorun".

When inserting a CD into a Windows machine hold down the left "Shift" key. Hold it down for a while after you insert it.

There is more info here on how to turn it off permanently.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-018

Search the net for more info if you need it.

-

Looks like they are moving onto Macs now.

http://applexnet.com/modules.php?op...rticle&sid=1648

-

I hope they get a huge global class action lawsuit against them.

Sony has been doing very poorly lately as a company. These are desperate actions by a desperate company.

quote:

Originally posted by Riggi You have to make sure that the CD doesn't "Autorun". When inserting a CD into a Windows machine hold down the left "Shift" key. Hold it down for a while after you insert it. There is more info here on how to turn it off permanently. http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-018 Search the net for more info if you need it. - Looks like they are moving onto Macs now. http://applexnet.com/modules.php?op...rticle&sid=1648 - I hope they get a huge global class action lawsuit against them. Sony has been doing very poorly lately as a company. These are desperate actions by a desperate company.

A buddy of mine just AIMed me that Mac link. I'm so glad anytime something wants to install outside of my user folder it asks for a name/password. Not to get into a pissing match here, but it's that feature alone that saves a Mac/Linux box from 95% of malware right there.

The point here is be careful about what popup boxes you click on. Does it make sense that you need to update your computer to play a cd? No it doesn't. Be careful out there.

Also, I'd like to point out that this bug hurts anyone connected to a network, like the internet. Yes, even if you aren't infected yourself. For every computer compromised in this manner is another computer that sends spam and other malicious or illegal data (think child porn or DOS attacks here) w/o their owners knowledge.

PS: Anyone find the contact info for Sony? I'd love to tell them what I think of them trying to open a backdoor into my or anyone else's system w/o the owners knowledge.

quote:

Originally posted by DRM Fucking DRM is gay ..... erm....

quote of the year

pwned!

...

try sony.com for contact info?

So has anyone here been infected? Any luck removing it?

Sony has halted the use of this DRM scheme amid complaints from the Department of Homeland Security. I have the full write up here: Fun quotes from DHS

Hmm, nothing like the DHS talking about how if our computers are compromised we won't be able to deal with avian flu. Imagine the headline:

"Sony DRM prevents lifesaving communication, still allows file sharing"

Suckers.

if i were sony i'd fire the dumbass who came up with the concept and their manager for letting it go to production.

Here's the person who discovered it and revealed it to the world:

http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/20...want-to_09.html
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/20...4-internet.html
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/20...decloaking.html
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/20...tal-rights.html

-

Here's one called "Sony's Last Days" -- has some good links to explore.

http://www.technologypundits.com/in...?article_id=231

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I've always liked Sony products a lot, and over the years have only bought their products when it came to home electronics. Over the last 5 years or so they have really missed out on a lot of opportunities. They missed the boat on Plasma and LCD TVs. Samsung is killing them. They missed the boat on bring the Walkman into the 21st Century. Apple is killing them with the iPod. Their online music store is a failure. Apple's iTunes Store is killing them. They don't seem to be able to compete anymore. It's sad really. They've lost a lot of money over the last year. Looks like they are going to have to crash and burn, before things are going to get better. Maybe Apple could buy them?

The only good things they have going for them is that is looks like Blu-Ray is going to be adapted as the replacement to the DVD, and the release of the Playstation 3.

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