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November 2, 2005 9:53 AM PST

Is Sony BMG using root kits as DRM?

Posted by Robert Vamosi
Antivirus vendor F-Secure is reporting on its blog site that Sony BMG is using root kit technology to monitor Digital Rights Management on some CDs sold in the United States. While root kits are most often associated with criminal activity, there are some legitimate uses of remote monitoring. According to F-Secure, if you insert a CD into a Windows-based system and see an End User License agreement on your desktop, the CD might also be installing a root kit on your system as a way to prevent illegal copying and distribution of the CDs contents. F-Secure warns that the root kit is almost impossible to uninstall but says you can contact Sony BMG directly, and the companyh will provide steps toward removing it. F-Secure discourages using third-party root kit removal apps, such as their own Blacklight root kit eliminator product, on the Sony BMG root kit because manual removal may also disable your CD drive.
Originally posted at ComingSoon

TalkBack
5 messages

Interesting litigation possibilities?

Could it be considered "Tresspass," at the very least?

Just my opinion.

Steve
www.computerlegalexperts.com
by computerlegalexperts.com (See profile) - November 14, 2005 1:19 AM PST

Sony & rootkits

If you decline the user agreement and the cd has already installed the rootkit, isn't that a criminal action as in illegal entry into/of someone elses computer system?

If that is the case then if a hacker breaks into their system they should not be allowed to prosecute that person since they do essentially the same thing. What's good for the goose.....
by Louiewu (See profile) - November 8, 2005 9:11 AM PST

Criminals employing criminal tricks!

So, now the rich ba$#ards are employing criminal methods to extort their ridiculous prices from a market that refuses to support them?

Why am I not surprised at this??
by Spikey (See profile) - November 7, 2005 4:02 PM PST

class action law suit

for the price of having your system professionally cleaned
by chuckburmester (See profile) - November 7, 2005 11:22 AM PST

Boycott Sony

Thank goodness we don't have to take this...Boycott Sony and support Apple iTunes...
by drdobro (See profile) - November 7, 2005 10:50 AM PST

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