Sony Rootkit

[Sandra Harris]

> > >On another related note, I read somewhere about Sony having put some
> > >sort of hard to detect, harder to remove spyware into their CDs that
> > >will automatically load if you try to play them in a PC.  Apparently
> > >it was an attempt to make the music copy-proof.  I understand that
> > >several lawsuits have been filed.
> >
> > It is true, they essentially did this.  However, they initially did not
> > inform the purchaser/user that the software was being installed. Later
CDs
> > had miniscule fine print informing the user that it would happen and
that
> > could circumvent it by not placing the CD in their computer.  The hue &
> > cry over this resulted in Sony/BMG discontinuing the practice, although
> > there are an untold number of CDs in the retail chain that still contain
> > this little bugger.  Sony has supplied a program that will remove the
> > offending software.
>
> However, said program doesn't work right in many cases. Also, the original
> spyware has been classified as 'malicious software' by all the anti-virus
> software companies, such as McAfee and Symantec.
>
> Makes me all the more glad that I only use Macs for all my
personally-owned
> computers. They're immune to every last one of the PC viruses.
>
> John Francini


Macs are also vulnerable to the Sony rootkit
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1885915,00.asp