Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Sony and rootkits

  1. #1

    Default Sony and rootkits

    Allright, so that Husar doesn't accuse of only criticizing M$, I'll prove that I dislike all big bad companies by presenting you with two more ... interesting issues that Sony is involved with.
    These are both from slashdot, so you can read comments etc there if you're interested.
    (Lemur, you must be busy with the weird news thread, we haven't had slashdot stories from you in a loooong time. ).

    Another Sony Rootkit ?
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    "This USB stick with rootkit-like behavior is closely related to the Sony BMG case. First of all, it is another case where rootkit-like cloaking is ill advisedly used in commercial software. Also, the USB sticks we ordered are products of the same company — Sony Corporation. The Sony MicroVault USM-F fingerprint reader software that comes with the USB stick installs a driver that is hiding a directory under "c:\windows\". So, when enumerating files and subdirectories in the Windows directory, the directory and files inside it are not visible through Windows API. If you know the name of the directory, it is e.g. possible to enter the hidden directory using Command Prompt and it is possible to create new hidden files. There are also ways to run files from this directory. Files in this directory are also hidden from some antivirus scanners (as with the Sony BMG DRM case) — depending on the techniques employed by the antivirus software. It is therefore technically possible for malware to use the hidden directory as a hiding place."


    And heeeere's another!
    Bioshock installs rootkit including demo
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Sony (the owner of SecureROM copy protection) is still up to its old tricks. One would think that they would have learned their lesson after the music CD DRM fiasco, which cost them millions. However, they have now started infesting PC gaming with their invasive DRM. Facts have surfaced that show that the recently released PC game BioShock installs a rootkit, which embeds itself into Explorer, as part of its SecureROM copy-protection scheme. Not only that, but just installing the demo infects your system with the rootkit. This begs the question: Since when did demos need copy protection?
    Therapy helps, but screaming obscenities is cheaper.

  2. #2
    Nobody expects the Senior Member Lemur's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Wisconsin Death Trip
    Posts
    15,754

    Default Re: Sony and rootkits

    Actually, the consensus is that BioShock's use of SecuROM does not equal a rootkit.

    The USB finger-stick thing, however, sounds odd.

  3. #3
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in the cloud.
    Posts
    9,007

    Default Re: Sony and rootkits

    Quote Originally Posted by Lemur
    Actually, the consensus is that BioShock's use of SecuROM does not equal a rootkit.
    Quote Originally Posted by ars
    This weekend news spread quickly that the PC version of Bioshock comes loaded with a rootkit. The only problem is, it isn't loaded with a rootkit, it's just your standard "let's punish our customers" anti-piracy tool.
    That's a much better description.
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
    -Abraham Lincoln

  4. #4
    Iron Fist Senior Member Husar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    15,617

    Default Re: Sony and rootkits

    Down with Sony

    Down with Sony

    Down with Sony

    Long live the XBox...


    Interesting thing about that USB Stick, one might assume they hide your biometric data in there so that inexperienced evil people can't find it. But then I guess the people who found the directory would have found a data file in it.


    "Topic is tired and needs a nap." - Tosa Inu

  5. #5

    Default Re: Sony and rootkits

    Quote Originally Posted by Lemur
    Actually, the consensus is that BioShock's use of SecuROM does not equal a rootkit.

    The USB finger-stick thing, however, sounds odd.
    tsk, tsk, typical techie/technogeek nitpickery!
    I know, I know, the slashdotters were arguing throughout tens of posts if even the USB stick thingie was technically a rootkit, a virus, or something else, throwing around wikipedia definitions of terms, and so forth. Still, the point remains.
    Therapy helps, but screaming obscenities is cheaper.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO