Posted on 06/02/2010 1:52:47 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Media giant CNN caused more than a few raised eyebrows in the tech community when it was revealed recently that it installs an application that lets CNN use subscribers’ computers to distribute its live streaming content the first time viewers sign in to view streaming content.
It’s not a drive-by download or some insidious secret hack — more of a social engineering scam, actually. Millions of users who signed up for the live streaming feed of U.S. President Barach Obama’s inauguration last month were told they couldn’t get hooked in unless they first installed something called ‘the Octoshape Grid Delivery enhancement’ for their Flash Player.
Among other things, the ‘enhancement’ turns subscribers’ computers into relay stations, making them part of a grid to, “deliver parts of the video and audio stream to other end users of the Software,” as the Octoshape end user agreement clearly states.
Octoshape Grid Delivery is a peer-to-peer application that, in effect, uses the subscriber’s computer and Internet connection to create an ad-hoc distribution network for CNN.
CNN and independent security researchers confirm that the octoshape ‘enhancement’ is still being installed the first time a fan views any streaming CNN program feed. Non-streaming (pre-recorded) CNN video clips do not require installation of Octoshape.
Critics of CNN’s Octoshape gambit say CNN indulged in deceptive marketing to get end users to become part of their network. They also note that CNN downloaded the cost of distributing its streaming feeds to end users and ISP without asking their permission or expressly informing them.
(Excerpt) Read more at techlifepost.com ...
CNN viewers deserve it.
no one noticed this until now?
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by Onlooker on June 2, 2010 - 3:59pm
just a heads up if you are using the CNN video feed, be aware that if you accept their add on called OctoShape - it will inject a P2P application on to your computer. Here is a screen shot of what it asks you to accept - http://i50.tinypic.com/16m2fli.jpg
here are a couple of articles on OctoShape
http://bit.ly/9pcqsB
http://bit.ly/17jUvC
and here is a snippet from the Octo site
"By installing the Octoshape software you are granting permission for Octoshape, the website and other end users of the software to utilize and share the processor and bandwidth of your personal computer system for the limited purpose of facilitating the communication between you and other end users of the software, including Octoshape and the website, and improving bandwidth efficiency in order to provide you the content."
http://www.octoshape.com/addin/about.php
Who'da thunk!
First I heard about it....I am assuming they are using it with the hordes of people watching the Gulf Oil Spill....although I don’t know for sure...
http://www.octoshape.com/addin/about.php
*********************************EXCERPT***************************************
No, other users of the Octoshape grid streaming technology will not have access to any of your information.
And both CNN viewers’ computers have been affected.
I just fired up the view from my Linux box and no problems...so maybe they aren’t doing it...????
Oh, a virus makers dream come true. An opt-in botnet in the making. What could possibly go wrong? /sarc
CNN has used Octoshape for several years for some of their video streams.
It usually gives you the option to ‘install’. If you do NOT install, you can still watch the video feeds.
Don’t Panic!
If you happened to have installed Octoshape and want to get rid of it, you can uninstall it through the regular Windows uninstall.
Google ‘uninstall Octoshape’ for many links on how to uninstall.
You can always watch via the BP streaming video feed.
http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46245.asx?bkup=46260
Just copy the above into MS Player Open URL.
It occasionally stops. When it does, just click the Play triangle on MS Player.
Thanks for the info.
Oh,,,,that’s scary....LOL!
Thanks,...that is a bigger view than what I have been using...works on Mint....
*Update* BP And Our Govt Has Been Showing Us A Volcanic Vent, Not An Oil Spill
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