News.com reports that Sony BMG Music Entertainment will provide a patch for the software that could be installed on computers when a Music Cd is put into a cd or dvd drive. The software as is could be used by virus writers to hide software from antivirus software when the program from the music cd was installed on the home computer.

First 4 Internet, the technology partner already provided a patch to antivirus companies that will eliminate the copy-protection software’s ability to hide. Sony and BMG will also publish patches on the companies website allowing visitors to download the patches from there as well.

Technorati Tags: spyware, sony, bmg, music

And another player joins the rangs of the companies that might install spyware with their Music Cds when you put them into your pc drives. “Fontana Distribution, part of Universal Music Group and distributors for Upstairs Records Inc., are encouraging the independent records labels they distribute to use content protection on their CDs. “Twelve Eighteen”, featuring the hit song “Summer Nights”, carries the same content protection currently being used by Sony BMG.

John Lopez of Upstairs Records commented: “we are very pleased with the seamless production of the album. The media player on the CD has a good user experience and we intend using the technology on more new releases.”

continue reading "Universal Music Group Music Cds might also install rootkit"

A few minutes ago I read a news article written by Brian Krebs who described how some Sony Music Cds try to install a software on pcs that could be labeled as spyware.

It seems that we have reached a new level in the fight between the record companies and its consumers. If you put a music cd in question into your drive a installer will popup. If you agree to install the software you won´t find a uninstall feature anywhere on your pc.

Apparently all Music Cds labeled “Content enhanced & protected” have the installer on the CD, make sure you check this before you buy a cd you would want to hear using your pc.

According to Krebs “The CDs in question make use of a technique employed by software programs known in security circles as “rootkits,” a set of tools attackers can use to maintain control over a computer system once they have broken in.”

continue reading "Sony music cds might install spyware on your system"

Process Patrol allows you to manage the Windows processes on your computer. You can set stop lists for spyware, adware, and virus programs that will be automatically killed. Program files are renamed to prevent restarts. A built-in browser allows for quick Google searches on suspect programs. As an option, Process Patrol can notify you when new processes are started. Excellent for new spyware that is not yet registered with spyware removal tools, or simply shut down adware that cannot be uninstalled because of dependencies with other freeware.

continue reading "Process Patrol"

Greg Hoglund with some time at his hands performed a long reversing session on a game most of us played or have at least heard of: World of Warcraft.

According to Greg a software know as the “warden client” is executed every 15 seconds on all World of Warcraft clients that are currently playing the game. Here is what Greg found out about it:

continue reading "A New Gaming Feature - Spyware"