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Sony Rootkit may Lead to Regulation

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the enough-is-enough dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Computerworld has a story about DHS officials meeting with Sony to read them the riot act, following the rootkit fiasco. From the story: 'A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official warned today that if software distributors continue to sell products with dangerous rootkit software, as Sony BMG Music Entertainment recently did, legislation or regulation could follow.'"

6 of 266 comments (clear)

  1. The recent Sony experience by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The recent Sony experience..." This phrase makes me wonder if Sony is going to be a catch phrase.

    "I just bought a DVD with rootkit software on it."
    "You've been Sony-ed", or,
    "That's the Sony experience!"

    1. Re:The recent Sony experience by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 4, Funny

      And just the other day, I was watching downloaded David Attenborough documentaries, and the name "Sony" popped up on one of the special cameras used there - I exclaimed "No way!" and used mencoder to edit the relevant part out right away. That'll teach 'em!

      --
      It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
      Be yourself no matter what they say
  2. So.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sony's root kit disabled the Department of Homeland Security's root kit. I can see why they might be miffed.

    1. Re:So.. by jibjibjib · · Score: 5, Funny
      What if I want to make my own rootkit? Will I have to register it with the DHS, and get them to audit it for security holes and check it for compatibility with their own rootkit?

      And what about Linux rootkits? Will Linux rootkits be supported by the DHS? Or will they just be banned altogether? Surely the DHS can't be stuffed writing a Linux rootkit as well as a Windows rootkit.

      Even scarier... what if Linux rootkits weren't regulated at all? Cyberterrorists could go on a rampage of linux rooting, and the government wouldn't be able to stop them, or more importantly, tax them.

      Hmm... that's an idea, the DHS could implement a rootkit tax, to fund their own rootkit development, and better protect our fellow God-fearing American citizens from the cyberterrorists of the future.

      The War on Terror is ending. The War on Rootkits is only just beginning...

  3. Sony should be prosecuted by layer3switch · · Score: 4, Funny

    for distributing Celine Dion CDs. I don't mind rootkit (haven't bought "CD" in 10 years), but for Pete's sake, someone feed that woman.

    --
    "Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
  4. forget rootkits... by bennomatic · · Score: 4, Funny
    what I want is a w00tkit!

    --
    The CB App. What's your 20?