Microsoft Windows Media Player Encryption Hacked

NubKnacker writes "Here we go again. The Register has the story about the encryption in Windows Media Player being hacked by DVD Jon. From the article: 'Jon Lech Johansen has reverse engineered a proprietary algorithm, which is used to wrap Media Player NSC files and ostensibly protect them from hackers sniffing for the media's source IP address, port or stream format. He has also made a decoder available." This has been pending for some time now. Do you see a reason to install Windows/WMP just to be able to view a webcast?"

Comments

Micro$oft

[bloke1987]

I believe that this might just be another example of micro$oft trying to wipe out the competition. Not only is it creating cheap programs that undercut the competition but makes special formats to force you to use them. This just highlights this fact. How simple can you get. write your link in a strange language so no-one else understands. The truly secure systems pay top hackers and crackers (yep, they really do employ DVD-J) to break into their software / servers etc etc and monitor how it is done. Cunningly enough they then use this to make it even more secure. Lets assume this is now on the net that microsoft will patch WMP with a different encryption in ooo... 2 weeks and get you to download it as "a vital security update for WMP".

Windows Media Player

[jskline]

I only use it to watch something internal to my house network. My firewall (IPCop) is configured to block everything that WMP uses port-wise in and out, and can only open links to stuff on my LAN as I have a media server that does produce Windows media from one device (Beyond TV3).

Knowing both Micro$oft's history, and the fact that much of Windows is still akin to swiss cheeze, I don't want to risk it. My kids are predominantly using Winamp and I even shudder with it sometimes.

Cheers

Re:Yeah!

[Master of Transhuman]

Make Windows worth a shit.

Re:an added bonus!!!

[Master of Transhuman]

You forgot Windows premier attraction: security!