expertec Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Virus writers are exploiting Sony's controversial anti-piracy software to hide their malicious creations.In late October Sony was found to be using stealth techniques to hide software that stopped some of its CDs being illegally copied.Now three virus variants have been found that use the Sony software to evade detection by anti-virus programs.Sony has apologised, saying it is working with computer security firms to address the problemsBBC NewsVery bad, but not surprising. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Virus writers are exploiting Sony's controversial anti-piracy software to hide their malicious creations.In late October Sony was found to be using stealth techniques to hide software that stopped some of its CDs being illegally copied.Now three virus variants have been found that use the Sony software to evade detection by anti-virus programs.Sony has apologised, saying it is working with computer security firms to address the problemsBBC NewsVery bad, but not surprising. :(Glad I don't have any Sony C.D's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Sony Sued Over Copy Protected CDs.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4424254.stm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 Glad I don't have any Sony C.D'sI haven't checked to see if I have any Sony CD's but if I had I believe that this Rootkit technology is only being implemented on the latest CD's and not on any that I may have bought over the last few years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted November 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 That's right... just some of the most recent, copy-protected ones. ;)Personally, I never have and never will buy a copy protected CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 That's right... just some of the most recent, copy-protected ones. ;)Personally, I never have and never will buy a copy protected CD.I have just checked my CD collection and I do have a few Sony CD's but I dont think that they have any copy protection on them as they are around 5 years old and also when inserted into my computers CD-ROM, I dont get a custom CD player console on my screen.I do have an EMI Kylie Minogue CD (Body Language) that is 'copy controlled' and when I insert it into my computer CD-ROM I see what is shown in my screenshot.I always choose Cancel and I find that I can still play the CD in Windows Media Player.I did select OK the once and I had a new player on my desktop but I don't think that this CD has installed the Rootkit on my PC as, so far, I think it is only Sony who are resorting to these stealth tactics? :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 ... so far, I think it is only Sony who are resorting to these stealth tactics? :unsure:To the best of my knowledge, at least one other major music company is using the same: Universal Music.Here is an interesting article on uninstalling the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 I only have one or two very old Sony C'D's, so I am not affected. This problem has been likely for some time. If CD makers did not grossly overcharge, then people would be less likely to copy them. A shop in Lichfield sells C.D's for a couple of pounds. They are imported, and mainly classical, but there is nothing wrong with the quality. If overseas company's can sell at a realistic price, why can't UK company's? This is just another case of rip off Britain. My neighbour recently returned from a holiday in Spain. He bought several C.D's and D.V.D's home with him that he bought at a fraction of the UK price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted November 12, 2005 Report Share Posted November 12, 2005 Sony stops making anti-piracy CDsThe CDs affected in the US include Natasha Bedingfield's UnwrittenSony has said it will suspend the production of music CDs with anti-piracy technology which can leave computers vulnerable to viruses.The move came after security firms said hackers were exploiting the software to hide their creations.The software has been used by viruses to evade detection by anti-virus programs and infect computers.Sony said it had a right to stop people illegally copying music, but added that the halt was precautionary.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4430608.stm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 That is no comfort to people who already have these infected CDs or to those disks in shops waiting for the Christmas surge in sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 That is no comfort to people who already have these infected CDs or to those disks in shops waiting for the Christmas surge in salesThis may bring some comfort: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/...39236971,00.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 I do have an EMI Kylie Minogue CD (Body Language) that is 'copy controlled' and when I insert it into my computer CD-ROM I see what is shown in my screenshot.That is the rootkit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 That is the rootkit. :o I would hope that this particular rootkit isn't as bad as the Sony one even though I only installed it the once out of curiosity.The strange thing is that it doesn't show up when I run the 'F-Secure Blacklight Rootkit Detector' as mentioned in this thread Post #9.It is currently in BETA so perhaps it's detection rate will increase when it's finally released as a build version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Update:http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/applicati...39237248,00.htmCustomers who have bought a Sony CD that contains rootkit-like copy-restriction technolgies that leaves their PCs vulnerable to attack will be offered an exchange, Sony said on Tuesday.Good news indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Update:http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/applicati...39237248,00.htmCustomers who have bought a Sony CD that contains rootkit-like copy-restriction technolgies that leaves their PCs vulnerable to attack will be offered an exchange, Sony said on Tuesday.Good news indeed!So they ought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyWhirly Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 So they oughtAgreed.Let's just hope that people made a backup so that they can get their PC up and running again without having to reinstall the operating system.Unexpected events like the Sony DRM rootkit make me realise how important backups really are unless you like spending hours getting your PC to the way it once was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.