Here we are again: Sony and rootkits
Posted on 04/09/07 18:30 by geno 888                             
Here we are again: Sony and rootkits
According to a news published at Ars Technica, Sony did it again: another rootkit was identified in a Sony product: Micro Vault USM-F thumb drive. The presence of the rootkit was first discovered by F-Secure, and was confirmed by Aditya Kapoor and Seth Purdy, researchers at McAfee, and posted on their blog.

As reported at Ars Technica, the software installed to use the fingerprint recognition feature creates a security risk similar (not identical) to the one created by the Sony BMG rootkit.

When the original Sony rootkit scandal hit, a Sony executive originally dismissed it by saying that "most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?"

 

Reactions
Discuss this article with your fellow community members! We appreciate your valuable input, but please keep the reaction policy in mind and make sure your reaction is constructive.
By Bekali (guest), Tue 4 Sep 2007 19:53
It's a shame that Sony become a producer of crapy products. Ohh well, Sony became a low end brand. cool
By applegodel8, Tue 4 Sep 2007 19:54
applegodel8"When the original Sony rootkit scandal hit, a Sony executive originally dismissed it by saying that "most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?" Because it messes there computer up DUH! cry
By DBE, Tue 4 Sep 2007 23:43
Let the flames begin!
By Edward (guest), Wed 5 Sep 2007 05:36
What a dissapointment...
By Witchdoctor (guest), Wed 5 Sep 2007 06:38
Just say "NO" to sony and drm.............
By Bekali (guest), Wed 5 Sep 2007 07:55
The last Sony purchase i made(a digital camera), still have the CD envelope unopen cool . Maybe some rootkits inside. And i use only the Compact flash slot, i am afraid of Magic Gate DRM, i don't want to be limited to copy my fotos only a few times. cool SONY=DRM+ROOTKIT
By BitRate, Thu 6 Sep 2007 04:08
With more protection on Blu-ray as well (via BD+), Sony seems to have no compulsion over screwing consumers yet again. They are doing a great job at shooting themselves in the foot.
By NO_DRM_PERIOD! (guest), Thu 6 Sep 2007 16:56
Why do you people give other companies like Microsoft a free pass on their DRM? (I know SOME of you do!) Microsoft has their trusted computing (which is supported by multiple other companies), DRM in Windows media, Zune DRM, and product activation. Look it up in Google. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=trusted+computing&spell=1 Are you boycotting 20th Century Fox for their rootkit? This was on a RED LASER DVD! Are you boycotting those? http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/F-Secure-confirms-rootkit-like-copy-protection-with-Alpha-DVD.html How many of you scream about DRM then run out and buy a fancy new HDTV with High Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection? The DRM schemes you accept now will only get worse in the future if they\'re allowed to exist. Eventually they WILL be unhackable. Microsoft made BILLIONS without DRM. The record and Movie industry made BILLIONS back in the day when we could copy analog recordings and tape stuff off the radio. Proof DRM isn\'t needed. I\'m all for punishing Sony for their DRM and meanness toward their customers, but it\'s not just Sony!!!! It\'s just about every other company in existence right now. This article isn\'t even about DRM. It\'s about a misguided attempt at software security.
By DukeNukem, Mon 10 Sep 2007 20:09
DukeNukemI refuse to buy $ony products. I no longer buy movies on DVD (I download them as DRM-free DivX files) I use a hacked copy of Microsoft's XP and Vista. There, no problems.

Name: Email:



Your comment:

Receive notification on new comments?