TurboTax DRM Writes to Your Boot Sector?!

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TurboTax DRM Writes to Your Boot Sector?!

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Sunday February 16, 2003 @05:08AM from the now-that-ain't-cool dept.

ltwally writes "As reported on Slashdot (amongst other sites) recently, the latest version of TurboTax is laden with DRM software. Even worse, however, is that it apparently writes to your hard drive's boot-sector , as reported at Extreme Tech here. As I'm sure most Slashdotters already know, the boot-sector is often times used for silly things like boot-loaders and such. "

24 of 733 comments (clear)

Well, if they're writing... by spazoid12 · 2003-02-16 05:10 · Score: 5, Funny

to my boot sector...I hope it's a really lovely story. Maybe a romance novel would be nice.
How Appropriate by yukster · 2003-02-16 05:12 · Score: 5, Funny

Virii write to boot sector

DRM writes to boot sector

hmmmm...
1. Re:How Appropriate by Anonvmous+Coward · 2003-02-16 08:09 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  "The OED disagrees with you. Viruses is the plural. "
  
  SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!
  
  Wow. I've been building that one up for a while now! Man you guys get into the dorkiest arguments here. No wonder the Valentine's advice didn't go over so well here, heh.
  
  Seriously, put this argument to bed. It is not +1, Insightful. It is not +1, Interestinging. It is -1, Redundant. Viruses and Virii both are acceptable answers. Why? Not because anybody's declared it, but because we know what you're talking about. Those of us that had to take mandatory latin classes need a place to vent this stuff.
2. Re:How Appropriate by dasunt · 2003-02-16 09:12 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Anonvmous Coward writes:
  
  Viruses and Virii both both are acceptable answers. Not because anybody's declared it, but because we know what you're talking about. Those of us that had to take mandatory latin classes need a place to vent this stuff.
  
  thnx. dat's y i rite like dis. odder peeps complane, but i say dat u can reed it so dont wine. inglish magers complane to much.
  
  Actually, I'll go with the anal twits here. Virus has no plural in latin, thus you go with the english plural rules which says add an -es. Its a quibble, but if you want to seem educated, then understand what you are talking about, and what terms you are using.
  
  OTOH, it wouldn't suprise me if the 'virii' term passes into the dictionaries in a dozen or so years. Other false latin plurals, such as octopii, haven't, but virii seems to be in common usage, and dictionaries don't only strive to show correct usage and spelling, but they also incorporate new usages and spellings, however inaccurate, if the usage or spelling is accepted as being correct.
that settles it by dubiousmike · 2003-02-16 05:15 · Score: 5, Funny

Now I am defintely NOT doing my taxes...again.
TurboTax XP by Openadvocate · 2003-02-16 05:16 · Score: 4, Funny

Hmm seems to me like this product rather should be called Turbotax XP.

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my sig
Ah, the power of friends by tuba_dude · 2003-02-16 05:17 · Score: 3, Funny

It's times like these when I feel lucky that I've got a good buddy that's a tax guy...and I've got dirt on him.

--
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
This is a wonderful way to do things . . . by D1rtbag · 2003-02-16 05:24 · Score: 5, Funny

I can just imagine every piece of software writing its particular attempt to defeat piracy in our boot sectors; finally, we'd have a regular mosh-pit of games and apps regularly crashing our systems and giving virus-checkers fits of apoplexy. Bravo to Intuit for being a trendsetter .
Re:Heh, silly me. by 0xdeadbeef · 2003-02-16 05:31 · Score: 3, Funny

You have to be on some sort of crack to write to a person's boot sector. Period. That's just off limits.

I write to your fiancee's boot sector. Zing!
I wonder... by seldolivaw · 2003-02-16 05:33 · Score: 2, Funny

If you use a pirated copy of tax submission software, can you still declare it as an expense?
The ultimate tax software! by InfinityWpi · 2003-02-16 05:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Yes, our new tax software does to your hard drive what the IRS is going to do to you!
Hey, watch it buddy. by kfg · 2003-02-16 05:41 · Score: 2, Funny

That's revisionism you're talking there, and the guy who once modded me down as Flamebait for saying a pocket sized spiral bound notebook was the best "PDA" I've ever had is going to be gunning for your ass.

When we play Solitare around here we use a $3000 machine, and don't you forget it.

KFG
Re:Linux interop? by cookiepus · 2003-02-16 05:41 · Score: 3, Funny

LILO and GRUB shouldn't have the monopoly on fucking up my boot sector, damnit!

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Ecce Europa - Web Design for Business
Re:Tax preparation for Macintosh by titzandkunt · 2003-02-16 05:51 · Score: 5, Funny

How, in the name of God, does a post which consists of three questions get modded "5 Informative"?

"5 Interrogative", would be more appropriate, no?

T&K.

--
Political language ... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable...
Re:I just bought that yesterday! by TheRaven64 · 2003-02-16 05:59 · Score: 4, Funny

1) Install a bootloader.
2) Remove floppy drive from computer.
3) Install TurboTax.
4) Shut down computer.
5) Remove CD drive.
6) Power up.
7) Ooops. Unable to boot, MBR corrupt.
8) Return to shop, and demand compensation for 'destruction' of computer.
9) Be refused compensation.
10) Hire ludicrously overpriced consultant to fix MBR (say $300).
11) Send bill to TurboTax.
12) Have bill returned with letter expaining politely that it's not their problem.
13) Forward bill and letter to national news services who love to publish this kind of crap.
14) Watch the bottom drop out of TurboTax's share price, and smile.

Note: Paying the consultant is optional.

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I am TheRaven on Soylent News
Re:Analog tax returns by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-16 06:00 · Score: 5, Funny

Let me clarify: if you're on slashdot, your time means nothing to you.
Re:Analog tax returns by khuber · 2003-02-16 06:06 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm so sick of this "it's only less if your time is worth nothing" garbage. For some, it might work, but when you spend hours on slashdot, I can't give you any credit to that statement.
I imagine you'll be doing your taxes by hand then. I suppose you beat your clothing against rocks in the river and hand knit your clothing using wool sheared from sheep you raise in your backyard.
-Kevin
Re:3D Studio Max does a similar thing. by Semi-Psychic+Nathan · 2003-02-16 06:16 · Score: 5, Funny

No problem, as long as you don't need to boot your computer.

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I have nothing to allude to, and I am alluding to it.
Rebii? Apparatii? Cactii? Octopii? Walrii? by Wee · 2003-02-16 07:09 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm not afraid of virii. It's the trojii and worii that really scare me.
-B

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Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.
Re:I just bought that yesterday! by Marc2k · 2003-02-16 07:27 · Score: 3, Funny

Hmm..ok, I'm about to start the process, but I'm a little confused. Step 2 is remove my floppy drive, and step 4 is shut down...ok let's se here...*BZZZT*

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taxes? by trybywrench · 2003-02-16 07:41 · Score: 3, Funny

fffttt i did my taxes over a year ago.

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I came to the datacenter drunk with a fake ID, don't you want to be just like me?
Re:Wincrash by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-16 07:58 · Score: 2, Funny

My Linux partition crashed two years ago. And, to my surprise as it was frustrating at the time, I don't miss it very much.

My .sxw-files now are .doc-files.

Will I get +1 Informative for being of the opposite opinion and supporting Microsoft? I doubt it.
Right on! But ... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-16 08:30 · Score: 3, Funny

I think that should be "nitpicking smart-asses".
wahhht by pr0ntab · 2003-02-16 16:09 · Score: 2, Funny

I think the point is that no would do that because no one outside America would attempt to break TurboTax's DRM because they would never need to use it! (insert US-centric slashdot rant here) If you're still confused, people in Eastern Europe don't pay our Uncle Sam income tax.

I mean, if you're going to break the law in umpteen countries by circumventing the copy protection, you might as well have a good reason! No amount of charity would make me touch that POS software with a 10 foot pole. (really, turbotax is the pits, its not even fun!)

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Fuck Beta. Fuck Dice