from : The USAToday
Sony BMG's move late Monday to recall nearly 5 million of its controversial copy-protected CDs did little to quiet backlash from consumers, tech-security experts and privacy advocates. The CDs, with XCP copy-protection software from British firm First 4 Internet, are vulnerable to computer viruses. USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham answers some of the many consumer questions that have arisen about the discs.
Q: Just how restrictive are these XCP CDs?
A: The CDs can be played safely in most conventional CD players. But in computers, they can be played only by accepting a software download of a special media player from Sony BMG. Researchers discovered that the software contained a hidden file — called a "rootkit" — that made computers vulnerable to viruses. Microsoft and anti-spyware companies are working on solutions to find and remove the files.
But tech-security researchers say even tech-savvy individuals who try to uninstall the XCP files on their own could be asking for trouble. Rob Enderle, an independent technology analyst, says the only way to get your computer back to normal is to reformat the hard drive and re-install the operating system. "A rootkit changes the operating system and is incredibly insidious," he says. "If you leave it on your machine, it will become one of those things that drive you insane with intermittent crashes and instability."
Q: What's the worst thing that can happen to my computer?
A: Spyware writers have developed programs that can piggyback on the hidden files, potentially wreaking havoc.
But tech-security researchers say even tech-savvy individuals who try to uninstall the XCP files on their own could be asking for trouble. Rob Enderle, an independent technology analyst, says the only way to get your computer back to normal is to reformat the hard drive and re-install the operating system. "A rootkit changes the operating system and is incredibly insidious," he says. "If you leave it on your machine, it will become one of those things that drive you insane with intermittent crashes and instability."
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So, Sony installs a copy-protection software program that essentially installs itself into the root of the computer, hides the file names that it installs, and opens the machine up to a host of viruses, trojans, and other security issues, just in order to prevent the illegal copying of CDs.
The CDs afflicted with this software:
Van Zant, Get Right with the Man (who?)
Sarah McLachlan, Bloom Remix Album (I used to love her, then I grew balls.)Celine Dion, On Ne Change Pas (go back to Vegas, Frenchie)
Neil Diamond, 12 Songs (as long as none of them are "Heartlight," we're cool)
Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten (uh...who? And then who the hell wrote your songs?)
Chris Botti, To Love Again (not sure this guy is in the target CD-copying demo...or, even who he is)
Pete Seeger, The Essential Pete Seeger (how is he still alive?)
Cyndi Lauper, The Body Acoustic (this would be hot in 1985)
Burt Bacharach, At This Time (amazing how an Austin Powers cameo can make him seem hip again...10 years ago...)
Ricky Martin, Life (go back to the bathhouse with George Michael, Ricky.)
All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross, So Amazing (I'd love to hear Smashmouth cover him.)
In any event, Sony is now on the same level as those scammers who install adware/spyware, autodialers, redirects, Java bombs, etc... all in the name of file protection.
To protect their musical rights to Celine Dion???
Obviously they knew what they were getting into mucking around with the root and registry values, and they are now rightly getting smacked down on all the tech blogs and forums.
I love how the record companies are SO concerned over copy-protection. Now that their efforts to manipulate our computers are shot, maybe Sony can beg/manipulate the U.N. to invade China's mass reproduction facilities?
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