Sony's DRM now for Macs too
Looks like Sony's DRM rootkit, loved by all, has been ported to the Mac. Sort of. Seems Sony has put a little installer which, upon entering your username and password, will happily install a couple of kernel extensions into your OS. Remember the names PhoenixNub1.kext and PhoenixNub12.kext, because those two naughty boys will be under the microscope over the next few days. They are made by the good folks at SunnComm, who can apparently hear the future... I'd agree with Darren Dittrich's concern over kernel extensions in general. But just because a EULA says they're going to install them, doesn't make it right. If I tell you I'm going to mug you, that doesn't go too far in court either. So I'm never going to complain about an app not being developed for the Mac again. Apparently there's always time for the DRM. Just remember folks, never give your username and password to strangers.
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Looks like Sony's DRM rootkit, loved by all, has been ported to the Mac. Sort of. Seems Sony has put a little installer which, upon...
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Sony didn't employ SunnComm, BMG did. Since the merger over a year ago, the two have continued to use the various copy protection schemes... in some cases former Sony-only labels are using SunnComm, opposed to F4i. While, conversely, some former BMG-only lables are using the new F4i copy protection, which is PC only, at the moment. SunnComm makes copy protection for both Mac and PC platforms. Before making err comments, do some research... just my opinion.
November 17 2005 at 11:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMungler, the audio data on CDs do not have ECC. Audio data fill 2352 bytes sectors. At 44khz, that 1/75th of a second. if a sector has read errors, chances are, you won't hear it. Data tracks have 2048 byte of data, and use the remaining 2352-2048 for ECC, since it's quite important that the bits read are what they are meant to be. VCD, which contain MPEGI video data do have a filesystem, contain files, but don't have ECC (it's a space vs reliability choice) On related note, Sony sucks. They have completely lost it. It's just like they spent the last 10 years under a rock and suddenly wonder why the uproar with their ciminal-like behavior.
November 16 2005 at 7:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySign this petition to stop Sony: http://www.petitiononline.com/bcsony/petition.html
November 12 2005 at 5:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm encouraging acts of civil disobedience on my site - please look. I think everyone with a website should host a non-DRM .mp3 from one of Sony's DRMed CDs until they make some sort of meaningful reparations.
November 11 2005 at 6:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyallofmp3.com with no regrets! Also, these cds can be ripped on an 0S 9 machine (not "classic", but booting into 9) presumably... Similarly Linux can probably be used as a workaround. I can imagine setting up an mp3 ripping partition. BUT I can't imagine giving these idiots a cent of my money to get their cds in the 1st place.
November 11 2005 at 2:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySony can go f*** them selves.
November 11 2005 at 2:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFrom The Register: "It is not believed that the two extensions incorporate the rootkit that is causing such controversy becuase of its effect on Windows machines." Technically, it's not a port of the same Windows version, it's different. I don't think this will open up virii and spyware for the Mac. Apple will be damned if they would just let Sony open the door for the virii.
November 11 2005 at 12:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYeah, I don't think this is what Steve meant when he told the ex-Sony CEO "we look forward to working together on other projects" Can't wait to see if or how those Mac spyware apps behave with it... Has anyone installed and used something like Snitch to see what it's doing?
November 11 2005 at 12:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo the era of "no viruses/trojans on the Mac" has come to an end, eh? And it was SONY that did it!? Crazy stuff. I suggest anyone who wants Sony music check out P2P networks. You're less likely to a computer-breaking stealth app that way. :)
November 11 2005 at 11:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replythis is bad...very bad
November 11 2005 at 11:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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