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To: TheRake
I'm not up this stuff. Translation please. What does this mean for the average Joe?

If you've recently bought and played a Sony-BMG music CD on your computer, you've probably got this rootkit installed without your permission on your system. You need to hit the link in Post #12 and download the tool to remove it. It leaves your system vulnerable to hackers who can exploit the hole it blows open in your operating system. It also mines your hard drive for personal data and sends it back (without your knowledge) to Sony.

If you haven't bought any Sony-BMG music CDs, DON'T!

26 posted on 11/15/2005 2:23:10 PM PST by CFC__VRWC ("Anytime a liberal squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" - gidget7)
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To: CFC__VRWC
If you've recently bought and played a Sony-BMG music CD on your computer, you've probably got this rootkit installed without your permission on your system. You need to hit the link in Post #12 and download the tool to remove it.

Note that doing so is technically a violation of the DMCA (a stupid law, but a law nevertheless). Using the sony-supplied removal tool (assuming you can jump through the hoops to get them to send it to you) is even worse, since the Active-X control required in the process opens up your machine to arbitrary software execution from any web site you visit from that point forward.

Legally, the only way to remove the rootkit is to reformat your hard drive and reinstall the operating system from scratch. On the other hand, if this software (Sony's rootkit) had been written by an individual or small company, the authors would be in jail by now. If Sony is above the rule of law (and it would appear that they are), then should the law (even bad law like the DMCA) be part of their arsenal?

37 posted on 11/15/2005 3:02:18 PM PST by Technogeeb
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To: CFC__VRWC
the hole it blows open in your operating system

Hole? My impression was it cloaked some files and phoned home. That's not a hole like starting a server.

68 posted on 11/15/2005 6:38:34 PM PST by palmer (Money problems do not come from a lack of money, but from living an excessive, unrealistic lifestyle)
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