[Archived in
Entry,
Sony]
[Dave's Imaginary Sound Space] If you want to remove the software from your computer, we still recommend that you contact Sony BMG using their web form and ask for permission to uninstall it."
Some related posts from Technorati and Google.
Security Fix - Brian Krebs on Computer and Internet Security - (washingtonpost.com): The real reason I'm writing this is because it appears that by leaving the registry keys intact you won't see another install screen come up if you insert another Sony copy protected CD. This means the CD will come up, and autoplay the silly flash player, but without the CD proxy running you can rip the content off the way you normally would :) So the presence of the registry keys makes the CD think everything's still installed, but the program's not actually running--Brilliant! (via Cosmos)
[Cutting Edge Of Ecstasy] Sony's DRM Hits A Sour Note: As this DRM system is implemented as a filter driver for the CD drive, just blindly removing it might result in an inaccessible CD drive letter. Instead, we recommend you contact Sony BMG directly via this web form and ask for directions on how to remove the software from your system.
[Roland Tanglao's Weblog] Yet another bogus DRM system from Sony: Using a program called a rootkit, inserting a Sony BMG music CD will now infect your computer with a nefarious program, burying it deeply and obscurely within your operating system. The program will monitor your computer activity in the name of preventing the so-called epidemic of "piracy" that results from people making extra copies of their music CDs or favorite songs.
[ | Spyware Confidential | ZDNet.com] Sony DRM using rootkit technology: Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files.
[JasonN.com | There Is One Truth!] The Sony (rootkit) Story that Won't Die: Sony-BMG then interviews the user about the reasons for wanting the software removed, and, if Sony is satisfied with the answer, the user is directed to a website that installs an ActiveX program into Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which in turn reports the version of the installed rootkit back to First4Internet. Then First4Internet sends an e-mail containing a link to another site, which installs something else yet again on the user's computer that uninstalls the Sony program.
[Dubious Quality] Hey, You Got Your DRM In My Spyware!: That's the kind of bullshit that evil people look at at go "Now that's evil." Now that Sony's been found out, there's going to be a backlash over this, and I hope it's huge. And that's why I'd like to see it mandatory that if something is going to get installed on your system, the program's function must be explained in clear, readable English, not a ten-page licensing agreement.
[Sysinternals.com] Mark's Sysinternals Blog: Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights ...: I deleted the driver files and their Registry keys, stopped the $sys$DRMServer service and deleted its image, and rebooted. As I was deleting the driver Registry keys under HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services I noted that they were either configured as boot-start drivers or members of groups listed by name in the HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot subkeys, which means that they load even in Safe Mode, making system recovery extremely difficult if any of them have a bug that prevents the system from booting.
[F-secure.com] F-Secure : News from the Lab: So: if you've recently used CD releases from Sony BMG that state that they are content protected on your Windows computer, the "Scan for Rootkits" function in our product will detect this program on your system. Same happens with our free BlackLight beta that you can download from our web site.
[P2pnet.net] p2pnet.net - the original daily p2p and digital media news site: "Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files.
[Bigpicture.typepad.com] The Big Picture: DRM Crippled CD: A bizarre tale in 4 parts: Seems like the best way to teach record labels to not pull this crap is to buy the CD - attempt to rip the music to the player of your choice - and if it doesn't work because of DRM copy protection - return the CD to the store where you bought it and say "it doesn't work". And if they refuse to take the CD back - they quickly see things my way when I tell them that I will be disputing the charge with my credit card company if they don't refund my money.
Reflected tags on Technorati: Blog, DRM, MP3 Player News
Posted at November 04, 2005 02:18 PM
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