Sony, in their infinite wisdom, is now releasing CDs with auto-installing rootkits. You read that right. Rootkits. Now what the hell are rootkits? That’s a good question.
As defined by wikipedia: A root kit is a set of tools used by an intruder after cracking a computer system. These tools can help the attacker maintain his or her access to the system and use it for malicious purposes. Root kits exist for a variety of operating systems such as Linux, Solaris, and versions of Microsoft Windows.
Scared? You should be. Sony Records is now releasing their CDs with special copyright protection that hides drivers and software on your system, hopefully without you noticing. Even worse, when you find out about these (via special software that can view these files as they try to hide) and try to delete them, you end up breaking your ability to play CDs because they replace your CD drivers with ones they created. All of this to “protect” the artists…
In other parts of the world, some people are telling first-hand stories of being searched as they go into movies. That’s right. Searched. Like: “We’ll have to confiscate that cell phone, sir, now please step over here while we scan you with a handheld metal detector.” Even worse, people standing in the corners of the theater taking video of you watching the movie, to ensure there’s no funny business.
I for one, say it’s gone too far. Next time you buy a CD with this underhanded copy-protection, return it. If you soon find your home theater requires a search, deny them that privilege, especially if they didn’t tell you you were agreeing to one at the ticket office. Fight the power, people. Tell these people that if they want to destroy our rights when we make legitimate purchases, we’d be more than happy to go back to the illegitimate ones.
[Sony Records](http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6376177.html?tag=nl.e501)
[MPAA screws music experience](http://www.politechbot.com/2005/11/04/how-the-mpaa/)
