Let's face it. Autorun should now be considered a security risk that exposes those who have it enabled to all manner of cyberbogyemen. Firewall and security programs should by default shut off autorun. Autorun is dead; may it burn in digital hell.
Those pesky Sony/BMG CDs
Nice. Thanks a lot Sony Music.
Sony's decision to include rootkit-like copy restrictions on some of its music CDs is prompting some companies to review whether they allow their staff to use personal CDs at work.
Last week, Trojan horses emerged that avoid detection by using the digital rights management, or DRM, software used by Sony BMG Music Entertainment on some of its audio CDs. This software uses the same techniques used by rootkit malicious software to hide itself from the operating system, which makes it particularly difficult to detect.
Andrew Yeomans, vice president of global information security at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, said that he is already assessing whether the Europe-based investment bank needs to tighten up its controls.
"I'm reviewing the autorun settings for music CDs, but not planning to ban their use," Yeomans said. "We certainly don't want arbitrary software to be installed."
Yeomans added that the bank cannot prevent all its employees from running executable programs from a CD or download. That's because some people have to be given administrator rights to use certain applications, which would allow them to override such restrictions.
Richard Starnes, president of the Information Systems Security Association, said that other companies should consider whether they need a policy on CD use.
"This is certainly something that would trigger a review of policies. I would advise companies to review the situation," Starnes said.
"If it's solely a Sony issue, it is easier for a company to make a decision that it will not allow particular Sony CDs. But if it becomes widespread, then it becomes difficult to decide what CDs are allowed or not allow," added Starnes, who was speaking before Sony announced it had stopped producing CDs containing the rootkit-like software, called XCP.
Other companies have confirmed that they are also watching the situation closely.
"Something that can get in and hide itself would have the security people screaming their heads off," said the capacity manager at one major financial firm, who asked to remain anonymous.
"Up until now, they thought that audio CDs are safe. I think that will change, and I wouldn't be surprised if every major bank changed their policy. The fact that this software can be used to hide other stuff means that the possibilities for getting at customer data are horrendous," he added.
Opposition to Sony's behavior has been fierce, with threats of boycotts and even legal action.
Ingrid Marson and Graeme Wearden of ZDNet UK reported from London.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5951177.html?tag=nl.e589
Sony's decision to include rootkit-like copy restrictions on some of its music CDs is prompting some companies to review whether they allow their staff to use personal CDs at work.
Last week, Trojan horses emerged that avoid detection by using the digital rights management, or DRM, software used by Sony BMG Music Entertainment on some of its audio CDs. This software uses the same techniques used by rootkit malicious software to hide itself from the operating system, which makes it particularly difficult to detect.
Andrew Yeomans, vice president of global information security at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, said that he is already assessing whether the Europe-based investment bank needs to tighten up its controls.
"I'm reviewing the autorun settings for music CDs, but not planning to ban their use," Yeomans said. "We certainly don't want arbitrary software to be installed."
Yeomans added that the bank cannot prevent all its employees from running executable programs from a CD or download. That's because some people have to be given administrator rights to use certain applications, which would allow them to override such restrictions.
Richard Starnes, president of the Information Systems Security Association, said that other companies should consider whether they need a policy on CD use.
"This is certainly something that would trigger a review of policies. I would advise companies to review the situation," Starnes said.
"If it's solely a Sony issue, it is easier for a company to make a decision that it will not allow particular Sony CDs. But if it becomes widespread, then it becomes difficult to decide what CDs are allowed or not allow," added Starnes, who was speaking before Sony announced it had stopped producing CDs containing the rootkit-like software, called XCP.
Other companies have confirmed that they are also watching the situation closely.
"Something that can get in and hide itself would have the security people screaming their heads off," said the capacity manager at one major financial firm, who asked to remain anonymous.
"Up until now, they thought that audio CDs are safe. I think that will change, and I wouldn't be surprised if every major bank changed their policy. The fact that this software can be used to hide other stuff means that the possibilities for getting at customer data are horrendous," he added.
Opposition to Sony's behavior has been fierce, with threats of boycotts and even legal action.
Ingrid Marson and Graeme Wearden of ZDNet UK reported from London.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5951177.html?tag=nl.e589
i'm guessin that sony's stockholder meeting is going to be more entertaining then some of their cd releases…
the amount of money sony will lose over the fallout as result of trying to prevent piracy will be more than if they had just left well enough alone…
the amount of money sony will lose over the fallout as result of trying to prevent piracy will be more than if they had just left well enough alone…
It gets better and better… The "uninstaller" for the XPC software which kicked off the current furvor can cause even more security problems when run.
wapo update
wapo update
If I was one of the artist's with a release using this shit I'd be right pissed. This is so far from over. Burn sony burn.
a swap is in the works… of course i want a free ps2 or psp to go along with my new cds. and chaz is right the artists are the ones getting screwed bigtime over this…
a bigger fear is that sony will sell off the record companies to one of the other majors and create even less competition, meaning more DRMed crap, etc. thankfully, the backcatalog stuff hasn't been touched by this stuff, but it's only a matter of time.
link
a bigger fear is that sony will sell off the record companies to one of the other majors and create even less competition, meaning more DRMed crap, etc. thankfully, the backcatalog stuff hasn't been touched by this stuff, but it's only a matter of time.
link
And if copy protecting CDs isn't enough, there was a recent Sony patent that would enable them to allow a game to only be played on the console it was first loaded into. i.e. eliminating sharing renting or buying used games. Speculation is that it's could show up in PS3s. This sure could cause problems with all the stores selling used games, on one hand they could refuse to carry new ps3 hw and games to make a stand or get screwed by the competition who don't give a rats ass about the used game market.
Would gamers take a stand against such protection or continue as if it's a nonissue..
Sony really is an aggrogent establishment..
Would gamers take a stand against such protection or continue as if it's a nonissue..
Sony really is an aggrogent establishment..
Its still under investigation but there is evidence that Sony in their attempt to copy protect their own material, infringed on the license that LAME encoding DLL was released under by not properly giving credited for using it within the their program. in the words of Dr. Doom "Fuckers!"
*insert random crybaby comment about Sony here*
ok more whining then… smackie has probably been following this one closer than i, but it would appear that the next generation of DVD technology that Sony is pushing for, Blu-ray, is even more anti-consumer than what we have now.
personally copy protection doesn't really effect me, it's not like i need to make archival copies of dvds, and with cd's it just limits where i can listen to them. no file sharing or pirate internet radio stations here as i don't fancy getting caught and having to pay those fuckers seeing as i'm home owner with assets.
DRM technology is fine for online music services like Napster, Yahoo, etc, that allow you to preview music. I don't buy into the consumer friendly line some tout about the iTunes Music Store. IMHO it's no bargin and come with a DRM anchor. Maybe it's just me, but most of the CDs bought don't suffer from the only one track is good syndrome. It's either the entire CD is great or crap, so I'm not out searching for that one elusive track.
personally copy protection doesn't really effect me, it's not like i need to make archival copies of dvds, and with cd's it just limits where i can listen to them. no file sharing or pirate internet radio stations here as i don't fancy getting caught and having to pay those fuckers seeing as i'm home owner with assets.
DRM technology is fine for online music services like Napster, Yahoo, etc, that allow you to preview music. I don't buy into the consumer friendly line some tout about the iTunes Music Store. IMHO it's no bargin and come with a DRM anchor. Maybe it's just me, but most of the CDs bought don't suffer from the only one track is good syndrome. It's either the entire CD is great or crap, so I'm not out searching for that one elusive track.
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:And yet 2/3rds of the posts in this thread are from you…
personally copy protection doesn't really effect me,
i'm pointing it out for those who may have let the Sony XPC software be installed on thier PCs and the subsequent problems it's causing people.
while copy protection dosen't effect me, it dosen't mean i like it.
while copy protection dosen't effect me, it dosen't mean i like it.
hey, i appreciate your outrage and keeping us up to date, kosmo …
in cases like this, outrage from the public is NECESSARY, otherwise sony will just keep on keepin on … i'm constantly surprised at how much weight sustained and organized public outcry has against corporation greed, negative letters and good boycotts really can help … complete difference (in my mind) from protesting public policy issues
in cases like this, outrage from the public is NECESSARY, otherwise sony will just keep on keepin on … i'm constantly surprised at how much weight sustained and organized public outcry has against corporation greed, negative letters and good boycotts really can help … complete difference (in my mind) from protesting public policy issues
Originally posted by [username edited by p.c. moderator]:
*insert random second grade sex joke here*
I've admittingly been spending to much time reading blogs and comments on this issue, most of which I agree with. However, I always grin at those who claim that record companies are out dated in the internet age and will soon go out of business. That the internet has levelled the playing field and any artist/band can get thier product out there and succeed. To which I say yeah right….
Of the thousands of CD released each year, which ones have the biggest sales? Those released by majors or thier imprints. Record companies have the marketing muscle, promo departments, and distribution networks to get product into peoples hands. If any artist wants to break out of the sub 100K sales they'll need to be with some sort of record company major or indie.
Myspace is touted a method of bands not needing record labels to push their product. So does having 10s of thousands fans signed up as a friend of the band translate into sales? What about the other 10,000+ bands who have pages on myspace, what kind of sales are they going to get by going direct to the consumer. Myspace just put out a cd with 17 of those 10,000 band of those. It still required to work with Interscope to get it to the marketplace. So when do the other bands get their chance in the spotlight.
Right or wrong labels serve as filters and have the capability to sell what the people want or think they need.
The part of the record industry which should change is the amount of control artists have over thier careers and product. Artists should be treated as free agents from the get go, being able to have control of thier masters from the start, and moving from company to company.
Of the thousands of CD released each year, which ones have the biggest sales? Those released by majors or thier imprints. Record companies have the marketing muscle, promo departments, and distribution networks to get product into peoples hands. If any artist wants to break out of the sub 100K sales they'll need to be with some sort of record company major or indie.
Myspace is touted a method of bands not needing record labels to push their product. So does having 10s of thousands fans signed up as a friend of the band translate into sales? What about the other 10,000+ bands who have pages on myspace, what kind of sales are they going to get by going direct to the consumer. Myspace just put out a cd with 17 of those 10,000 band of those. It still required to work with Interscope to get it to the marketplace. So when do the other bands get their chance in the spotlight.
Right or wrong labels serve as filters and have the capability to sell what the people want or think they need.
The part of the record industry which should change is the amount of control artists have over thier careers and product. Artists should be treated as free agents from the get go, being able to have control of thier masters from the start, and moving from company to company.
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:This is the most ridiculously "fight-the-power-i'm-out-of-touch-with-reality" thing I've ever read on this board. And Rhett posts here.
The part of the record industry which should change is the amount of control artists have over thier careers and product. Artists should be treated as free agents from the get go, being able to have control of thier masters from the start, and moving from company to company.
why? Established artists take thier catalog to different labels, why shouldn't developing artist be granted the same priveldge.
More and more artists are licensing their masters to record companies it should become standard pratice.
More and more artists are licensing their masters to record companies it should become standard pratice.
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:First, artists, when they start out, are "free agents" as you put it. They are not tied down to a record label until they choose to sign a contract. God forbid people honor their decisions. If a label is going to front for recording and touring advances and yadda yadda yadda, why should the artist be allowed to simply jump ship the second they garner any popularity?
why? Established artists take thier catalog to different labels, why shouldn't developing artist be granted the same priveldge.
Most recording contracts are loan agreements anyways for a set number of records. My point is that artist should be given to the options to have shorter contracts, and if they meet the obligations of the contract be free to move. Bands on smaller labels are bought out by bigger labels. Bands also have the ability to produce thier records and shop them around to the label willing to license them at the most favorable terms.
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:Imagine I'm a hockey player for a second. I want to play for the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings will pay me $2 million/year for 5 years. This is unaccepatable, I want more per year, and think as I improve, I should be able to get even more, so I don't want a 5 year deal, I want two (so I can get a better deal 2 years from now). Additionally, the Red Wings wear Nike, and I want to wear CCM.
My point is that artist should be given to the options to have shorter contracts, and if they meet the obligations of the contract be free to move.
What do I do? Do I protest and demand the Red Wings offer me a different contract? Do I cite the inherent "unfairness" of what they're offering? No, I pass on playing for a top-rate organization and I go play for the Toronto fucking Maple Leafs. I think you see my point.