Sony CD spyware installs and can run permanently, even if you click "Decline"

Iria · Nov 29, 2005, 12:03 PM

Many Sony CDs install a piece of spyware on listeners' PCs. The program, called MediaMax, from SunComm, has received less attention than the rootkit that made headlines on Hallowe'en, but it is even sneakier, in some ways, than the rootkit was.

Previously, Princeton researchers revealed that the MediaMax software installed itself even if you declined the EULA (the pop-up license agreement). However, the researchers concluded that if you declined the EULA, the software was only active until you restarted Windows.

Now Princeton's Alex Halderman reports that if you insert another MediaMax-infected CD (or the same CD again) and decline the EULA a second time, the software can activate itself permanently.
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read More / Source: Boing Boing

daedal · Nov 29, 2005, 01:41 PM

Man.. Sony's in over their heads.

Tipstaff · Nov 29, 2005, 05:19 PM

Here's a good read:

The Sony Boycott Blog

BTW: everyone is talking about the lawsuits that are going on from consumers, however given the fact that their own artists are losing money from loss of sales (because Sony, having issued a "mail in" recall, hasn't actually replaced those effected CDs for 3 weeks now) they too could sue Sony for breach of contract.

<glug glug>

**temeteus82** · Nov 30, 2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

BTW: everyone is talking about the lawsuits that are going on from consumers, however given the fact that their own artists are losing money from loss of sales (because Sony, having issued a "mail in" recall, hasn't actually replaced those effected CDs for 3 weeks now) they too could sue Sony for breach of contract.

<glug glug>

Yeah, sounds like Sony BMG may go down because of this DRM thing

Nov 29, 2005, 12:03 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	Sony CD spyware installs and can run permanently, even if you click "Decline" Many Sony CDs install a piece of spyware on listeners' PCs. The program, called MediaMax, from SunComm, has received less attention than the rootkit that made headlines on Hallowe'en, but it is even sneakier, in some ways, than the rootkit was. Previously, Princeton researchers revealed that the MediaMax software installed itself even if you declined the EULA (the pop-up license agreement). However, the researchers concluded that if you declined the EULA, the software was only active until you restarted Windows. Now Princeton's Alex Halderman reports that if you insert another MediaMax-infected CD (or the same CD again) and decline the EULA a second time, the software can activate itself permanently. ___________ read More / Source: Boing Boing

Nov 29, 2005, 01:41 PM	#2
daedal Uber Coffee Drinker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 2,254 Rep Power: 0	Man.. Sony's in over their heads. __________________

Nov 29, 2005, 05:19 PM	#3
Tipstaff DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,529 Rep Power: 94 System Specs	Here's a good read: The Sony Boycott Blog BTW: everyone is talking about the lawsuits that are going on from consumers, however given the fact that their own artists are losing money from loss of sales (because Sony, having issued a "mail in" recall, hasn't actually replaced those effected CDs for 3 weeks now) they too could sue Sony for breach of contract. <glug glug> __________________ >><<