[overkill]

Apologies if this has been posted before, but I thought we should all be aware this is happening:- Sony using potentialy harmful software for 'protection' Its very technical, but worth reading for the potential harm this system can do to your PC. Not to mention the intrusion by a respected company.........

[JohnG]

Someone has posted about this in the MP3 forum, but I think it's such an important thing (if true) that it should be present in more than one forum ! I think this could be another reason to keep away from Sony CDs.

[ncpl]

WOW....that is a shocker!!

I never did like Sony ......

[Mylo]

that is not good.

[Drd]

I can't claim to understand all of that,but reading through it I certainly get the gist,and it's shocking.Thankfully I've not got one of these cd's,more to the point having read this I will never buy one.Well done Sony.

[slackbladder]

Some more info - BBC News
What's the other reason to stay away from Sony CD's? Doesn't that mean certain recording artists will never be heard if Sony CD's are boycotted?

[shaithis]

I will be boycotting Sony CDs and anyone else who I find using this kind of technology.

If I want to play a CD in my PC I should be able to without the fear of hidden software being installed on my PC.

Its a complete liberty.

[ncpl]

Doesn't that mean certain recording artists will never be heard if Sony CD's are boycotted?

Slackbladder, no, it means that most of the people that will not accept Sony's invasion will probably download it (legally or otherwise) rather than run the risk of this software getting on their pc.

So, Sony lose out as does the artist.

Personally, I have never downloaded any music. Seriously....I love those little silver discs (not quite as much as I used to love those big black ones). If any of my "must have" artists were "protected" in the Sony way, I'd be downloading it.

I'd love to hear what Sony have to say about that !!!

If technology like this can be made, it can be undone. As we speak, some clever hackers are probably working to foil it! Incidentally, this is the only time I support software hackers. Virus creators, on the other hand, are just as bad as big corps pulling (poor publicity) stunts like this.

UPDATE: Anyone concerned that XCP (the technology Sony is using to cloak anti-piracy files on your PC) should follow this link: http://updates.xcp-aurora.com/ for advice on safe removal.

[dynamic turtle]

Can't see what all of the fuss is about myself, its just ultra-pedantic folks getting hot under the collar over something of very little importance. Mountains & molehills are all I see.

I bet these folks do far more INTENTIONAL damage to their PC (overclocking in particular) compared to the the little registry & kernel entries this "malware" generates.

If people didn't pirate music, these measures wouldn't be necessary. You're focusing your anger on the wrong target here - Pirates, not Sony!!

DT

[JohnG]

Surely Sony are targeting the wrong people - ie the ones who actually buy the CDs !

Originally Posted by shadowritten

UPDATE: Anyone concerned that XCP (the technology Sony is using to cloak anti-piracy files on your PC) should follow this link: http://updates.xcp-aurora.com/ for advice on safe removal.

Just downloaded and run this program - said XCP not installed on my PC!

Interestingly, in the Properties dialog box, under the Version tab, the Comments box says 'Malware Security Fix'. Why? Because of the fear that this hidden software could allow the entry of malware ... or because the XCP program files themselves might constitute malware

[dynamic turtle]

Maybe both!

I'm guessing its because your antivirus/pop-up software might mistake it for malware and remove any related drivers during the deletion process. This, as the systinternals.org poster said, might have a detrimental effect on certain components (like your dvd-rom drive), which might not boot properly afterwards.

[overkill]

Can't see what all of the fuss is about myself, its just ultra-pedantic folks getting hot under the collar over something of very little importance. Mountains & molehills are all I see.

Rootkits can allow malicious softare to enable a hacker to take over your PC. If you dont think thats important, well.........

I bet these folks do far more INTENTIONAL damage to their PC (overclocking in particular) compared to the the little registry & kernel entries this "malware" generates.

Rootkits do more than just make a few 'little adjustments' to your registry. Is this a windup?

If people didn't pirate music, these measures wouldn't be necessary. You're focusing your anger on the wrong target here - Pirates, not Sony!!

If the Music producers weren't so greedy then piracy would die. All digital media is so massively overpriced it invites piracy. It is down to their obscene greed that this software (Is illegally) installed nothing else. I have no sympathy for companies that bleat about 'piracy killing sales' and who then guiltily sneak out record profit figures hoping we wouldn't notice.

They have no right to do place poorly written software on your PC that could cause data to be lost or the PC damaged - period.

Originally Posted by overkill

Rootkits can allow malicious softare to enable a hacker to take over your PC. If you dont think thats important, well.........

Rootkits do more than just make a few 'little adjustments' to your registry. Is this a windup?

If the Music producers weren't so greedy then piracy would die. All digital media is so massively overpriced it invites piracy. It is down to their obscene greed that this software (Is illegally) installed nothing else. I have no sympathy for companies that bleat about 'piracy killing sales' and who then guiltily sneak out record profit figures hoping we wouldn't notice.

They have no right to do place poorly written software on your PC that could cause data to be lost or the PC damaged - period.

Here, here!!

Especially the bit about over-priced digital media. It IS greed, pure and simple.

[slackbladder]

Another page from BBC.co.uk - BBC News

[overkill]

Apparently, according to 'the inquirer' Italy is the first nation which has group set to sue Sony over the Rootkit issue. As the introduction of software of the type Sony has been using also contravenes the US's new laws on potential PC damage, expect a lawsuit to follow in the US. Good.

Originally Posted by overkill

Apparently, according to 'the inquirer' Italy is the first nation which has group set to sue Sony over the Rootkit issue. As the introduction of software of the type Sony has been using also contravenes the US's new laws on potential PC damage, expect a lawsuit to follow in the US. Good.

Sony are digging their own grave. I can't believe this level of corporate ignorance and pig-headedness is taking place at a formerly well-respected company. Just because they lost some ground to Apple - and are having their thumbs screwed by the BMG part of their organisation - this is no way to respond. If I had any say in it, there would be a number of snap 'departures' from the ranks of senior management at Sony

[slackbladder]

It would seem viruses are already appearing using Sony's "rootkit" DRM software.
BBC news
Can I hear the sound of knives being sharpend?

Just downloaded/run RootkitRevealer 1.56 (free - just Google) - showed up nothing that shouldn't be there, which is a comfort ...

[overkill]

Can I hear the sound of knives being sharpend?

Talking of which, a suit is being prepared in the US now. In fact two! Sony could be in real trouble if they are proved to have fallen foul of the US laws on installing software without user consent that allows hacker/virus access. As viruses that exploit their software has already been shown to do so............. they had better have a VERY good legal team!

[JohnG]

Looks like Sony are now realising what an own goal they've just scored ! see here

[johndon]

Microsoft have anounced that the next update of their Spyware removal application will remove XCP: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4434852.stm

John

[overkill]

This is just getting better and better!Sonys new DRM problem! In what must be the 'irony of the decade' Sonys XCP actually violates copyright laws itself! Can it get any more bizzare?

[Ed Selley]

Out of purely academic interest (all 20 albums are a long, long way from my normal purchases), if I put one of these discs in my Yamaha CDRHD1300 and burn a normal copy, does this pikey software get copied across? If so would it survive the CD being burned in the AMQR "Deep pit" mode that Yamaha allow for slightly improved quality recordings?

I love my seperate CD burner at times like this .

[PJTX100]

Looks like Sony have backed down on this farce completely...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4441928.stm

...PJ

[slackbladder]

Originally Posted by overkill

This is just getting better and better!Sonys new DRM problem! In what must be the 'irony of the decade' Sonys XCP actually violates copyright laws itself! Can it get any more bizzare?

An interesting read.
Changing the subject slightly (from the above link)

Ignoring the PR fallout from the rootkit, Sony just got a patent on a method of restricting game software to one copy on one particular machine. They seem to think that this kind of lockdown will be tolerated by its customers. Someone sell these guys a clue.

I wonder! I had heard it's for their Blu-Ray media. Whatever. If this were to happen it would be the death of Sony. I certainly would'nt tolerate it. Sony are onto a hiding to nothing if they keep this up. Their image has taken several big hits recently, with this and the "dual pricing" scam too. Sony can not afford to let their image become so tarnished. Yet they are...

[overkill]

I think the whole thing was a test of public opinion. Surely Sonys tech staff aren't so stupid they wouldn't realise that a Windows expert would uncover the potential of DRM? Sorry, I'm not buying it. If the whole fuss had not caused public outrage then Sony would have introduced this protection on all CD's. Maybe it's just me, but none of the titles are really HUGE acts either.

I wouldn't count Sony out just yet, Phillips have been producing legendarily dodgy gear (do they have a QC section?) for decades and people still buy their stuff!

And now, bless 'em, Sony are 'repentant' ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4514678.stm