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News: Sony copyrights, XCP DRM software and rootkit stealth

Subject: News: Sony copyrights, XCP DRM software and rootkit stealth
From: Marty Michener <>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:04:57 -0500
More security problems:

While strictly speaking right off topic, this flap DOES affect all folks 
engaged in the Audio copyright business, directly or indirectly.

The short version: a security expert found a rootkit installed on his 
Windows XP computer, and traced it to when he installed XCP Digital Right 
Management software sent him by Sony, to listen to a Sony audio CD. DRM 
software attempts to limit the number of copies one can make, as I (barely) 
understand it. The rootkit was designed to hide the DRM software, but made 
the computer vulnerable to diabolically designed web* sites. One company 
alleges it is present on over 500,000 computers.  The uninstall leaves some 
elements of the vulnerability, too . . .   Summed summary: Bad Sony, bad, 
bad Sony!

For information about it try: 
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1887181,00.asp
or
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2005/nov/1208922.htm
or
try google: "define: rootkit" or "sony rootkit"

There is reported a lot of backlash during the first half of November.

If y'all ALREADY know about this and I just missed it, I'm very sorry.



--  best regards,  Marty Michener
MIST Software Assoc. Inc.,  P. O. Box 269, Hollis, NH 03049
http://www.enjoybirds.com/

*I don't know who designed my website, but I am certain it wasn't "diabolo" 
. . .I think most of it was done by "accident". . .



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