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Sony CDs containing spyware

M

MarkLaRoi

It's supposed to be anti-copy software, but when it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

In late October, a well-known Windows computer engineer, Mark Russinovich, stumbled across the Sony software on one of his personal computers while running a security scan. Russinovich had used the computer to play the Van Zant CD, not realizing that it had installed the anticopying program.

When he tried to remove it, Russinovich found that the program lacked the ''uninstall" feature found in most Windows software. Indeed, key components of the software hid themselves deep in his computer by applying the same techniques used by data thieves to conceal their activities. Even a skilled user who identifies the correct files can't safely remove them, said Russinovich.

''Most users that stumble across the cloaked files . . . will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files," he wrote on his technology website, SysInternals.

Computer Associates yesterday concurred with Russinovich's assessment. Curry said Sony has made it so difficult for listeners to uninstall its software that some could lose all their data in the process.

''It can damage the operating system and the operating system's integrity, so it can't reboot at all," Curry said. ''As an expert in security, I can say this is bad behavior."

<hr></blockquote>
You can read the full story here.<P ID="signature">______________
~Always leave a hole when you go.
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.OneVoiceNow.Blogspot.com>Are we really one voice?</a></P>
 
> It's supposed to be anti-copy software, but when it walks
> like a duck and quacks like a duck...
> In reply to:In late October, a well-known Windows computer
> engineer, Mark Russinovich, stumbled across the Sony
> software on one of his personal computers while running a
> security scan. Russinovich had used the computer to play the
> Van Zant CD, not realizing that it had installed the
> anticopying program.
>
> When he tried to remove it, Russinovich found that the
> program lacked the ''uninstall" feature found in most
> Windows software. Indeed, key components of the software hid
> themselves deep in his computer by applying the same
> techniques used by data thieves to conceal their activities.
> Even a skilled user who identifies the correct files can't
> safely remove them, said Russinovich.
>
> ''Most users that stumble across the cloaked files . . .
> will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step
> of deleting the cloaked files," he wrote on his technology
> website, SysInternals.
>
> Computer Associates yesterday concurred with Russinovich's
> assessment. Curry said Sony has made it so difficult for
> listeners to uninstall its software that some could lose all
> their data in the process.
>
> ''It can damage the operating system and the operating
> system's integrity, so it can't reboot at all," Curry said.
> ''As an expert in security, I can say this is bad behavior."
>
> You can read the full story here.
>
I read about that last week. I will never buy a Sony BMG CD again. They can take their spyware and shove it. Its I-Tunes only for me now.

For the people who put the CDs into their computer with no intention of copying it for someone else, file sharing, etc they are just encouraging people to engage in such activities.

I have an MP3 player and like to rip my songs to MP3 so I can put the player to use. Same for when I want to make a mix CD for myself.

I would think I should be allowed to use what I PAY for what I want (as long as its not what they consider "piracy") without having to have my computer wrecked.<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>
 
> Is anyone else also not surprised by this?
>
I'm ticked, but not suprised at all. I knew it was coming.<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>
 
Sony are a bunch of morons. Especially when they send the stations the DRM encoded crap.

Nice one, sony.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Removal Link

Apparently Sony has gotten the message. Here's a link to a Sony site where you can download the uninstaller:

Sony Download

Heaven only knows what ELSE the download contains...
 
Re: Removal Link

> Apparently Sony has gotten the message. Here's a link to a
> Sony site where you can download the uninstaller:
>
> Sony Download
>
> Heaven only knows what ELSE the download contains...
>

Even with this I think it's time for a class action lawsuit by people whose computers have been damaged by this.
 
Explain This One To Me...

Hope someone will be able to explain this one to me.

No warranty of any kind is given with respect to the multimedia material included with this CD and record company disclaims all liability in connection with any damages resulting from the use or inablity to use such material. You expressly acknowledge and agree that the use of this material is at your own risk.

Does that mean, that if I was play the multimedia part of those newer CD's that had it and it caused damage to my computer, the record company would be exempt from causing damage to my computer.

I would like to check out the multimedia parts of these newer CD's that have them but due to "Damage" that might occur, I have been avoiding doing this.

To those that now have infected computers, because of Sony's product, hope you will get your problems fixed and then hold Sony accountable for what they did.

RDP <><
 
> Sony are a bunch of morons. Especially when they send the
> stations the DRM encoded crap.
>
> Nice one, sony.
>

That is stupid! Guess you cant "spin" it. which means their "artist" wont chart! Sucks to be them eh?

<P ID="signature">______________
Lenks
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>
 
> That is stupid! Guess you cant "spin" it. which means their
> "artist" wont chart! Sucks to be them eh?

tmcentury.com

But licensed broadcast stations should get actual RADIO versions of promo material. Not studio clipped and not DRM ridden.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> tmcentury.com
>
> But licensed broadcast stations should get actual RADIO
> versions of promo material. Not studio clipped and not DRM
> ridden.
>

I agree! <P ID="signature">______________
Lenks
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>
 
> > That is stupid! Guess you cant "spin" it. which means
> their
> > "artist" wont chart! Sucks to be them eh?
>
> tmcentury.com
>
> But licensed broadcast stations should get actual RADIO
> versions of promo material. Not studio clipped and not DRM
> ridden.

There have not been "radio" versions for a long time, except for radio edits, wheich are either done to shorten or remove offensive words, not to enhance quality. Generally, promo CDs have a cut that is 100% identical to the release version.

In fact, many labels are sending MP3's via e-mail or a distribution system instead of CDs, so they may have MP3 artifacts, too.
 
> > Sony are a bunch of morons. Especially when they send the
>
> > stations the DRM encoded crap.
> >
> > Nice one, sony.
> >
>
> That is stupid! Guess you cant "spin" it. which means their
> "artist" wont chart! Sucks to be them eh?
>

I want to see what happens when a station rips the CD to Audio Vault or Prophet or whatever and it destroys the station's commercial schedule. Very few stations play off CDs today.
 
One station's response:

New policies in effect here immediately:

1. When you receive a SONY CD think extra hard about you really need
this artist in the rotation. If in doubt, don't use it.

2. If you reall can't live without a selection by a SONY artist, play
it as analog in an old CD player and dub it analog into the system.

3. Anyone who allows a SONY CD to corrupt a station owned computer
is immediately terminated.

4. Anyone who has a personal computer screwed up in any way by a SONY
CD need not ask engineering to "fix it". It ain't gonna happen.

<P ID="signature">______________
"If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it."
--W.C. Fields</P>
 
Re: One station's response:

I'm printing that out and it's going right next to my sign which says "POOR PLANNING ON YOUR PART DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY ON MINE."<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
The List

The List:

Trey Anastasio, Shine (Columbia)
Celine Dion, On ne Change Pas (Epic)
Neil Diamond, 12 Songs (Columbia)
Our Lady Peace, Healthy in Paranoid Times (Columbia)
Chris Botti, To Love Again (Columbia)
Van Zant, Get Right with the Man (Columbia)
Switchfoot, Nothing is Sound (Columbia)
The Coral, The Invisible Invasion (Columbia)
Acceptance, Phantoms (Columbia)
Susie Suh, Susie Suh (Epic)
Amerie, Touch (Columbia)
Life of Agony, Broken Valley (Epic)
Horace Silver Quintet, Silver's Blue (Epic Legacy)
Gerry Mulligan, Jeru (Columbia Legacy)
Dexter Gordon, Manhattan Symphonie (Columbia Legacy)
The Bad Plus, Suspicious Activity (Columbia)
The Dead 60s, The Dead 60s (Epic)
Dion, The Essential Dion (Columbia Legacy)
Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten (Epic)
Ricky Martin, Life (Columbia) (labeled as XCP, but, oddly, our disc had no protection)

-EFF<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>
 
Re: Sony CDs containing spyware..statute of limitations of copying?

I've locked m' doors and enclosed myself in the panic room.

for years....back in the day, when a new 45 came in, I....I.....dubbed it....onto a cart....so the record wouldn't wear.

My...GOD...what did I DO??? I copied music illegally.

(With some of the stuff on our playlist, the tragedy was far worse...)


I'm guilty! As punishment, and as tribute to SONY, I will commit Harry Carey.....
 
Re: The List

> Ricky Martin, Life (Columbia) (labeled as XCP, but, oddly,
> our disc had no protection)

The Ricky Martin thing may be that he NEEDS people to copy and share his stuff now!
 
Re: Sony CDs containing spyware..statute of limitations of copying?

> for years....back in the day, when a new 45 came in,
> I....I.....dubbed it....onto a cart....so the record
> wouldn't wear.
>
> My...GOD...what did I DO??? I copied music illegally.

Actually, no, because radio stations have always had a legal exemption to copy music for the facilitation of on-air use. Nice try at humor, though.

> (With some of the stuff on our playlist, the tragedy was far
> worse...)

Without knowing what the playlist was, I'll have to take your word for it.

> I'm guilty! As punishment, and as tribute to SONY, I will
> commit Harry Carey.....

Harry Carey (the WGN baseball commentator) can't be committed, as he passed away in 1998. You can, however, commit harikari if you have the appropriate hardware.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
Re: Sony CDs containing spyware..statute of limitations of copying?

Do you mean Hari Kari? I think committing Harry Carey would be drinking a six-pack of Budweiser (or maybe Old Style).


>
> I'm guilty! As punishment, and as tribute to SONY, I will
> commit Harry Carey.....
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
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