I'm writing you to express my concerns about the recent revelation regarding 'root kit' software that is being secretly installed on users' computers when they agree to a misleading End User License Agreement from Sony / BMG.
According to recent research, said software uses the same techniques used by hackers to camouflage viruses, and other forms of mal-ware. Not only that, this software is so poorly written as to open the host system up to other, potentially more damaging attacks.
I work as both a software developer and network administrator for a Central Florida based company which creates applications used by the banking industry. Network security, and software security is an important part of my day to day thinking.
I want you to understand that the security vulnerabilities that Sony / BMG have inadvertently created are the kind that any competent hacker can fly a virtual 747 into.
I hope that you will urge the senate to look into this matter, but more importantly I hope that you will see the need for stronger and clearer legislation to protect users from companies that would use such underhanded techniques.
I urge you to read Mark Russinovich's web-log entries regarding this software, and take heed his expert opinion on this matter.
"Personally, I don't care if Sony tries to sneak malicious code onto the CD Audio discs I buy, because I've had "AutoRun" disabled on my Windows machines since 1996. As far as my computer is concerned, the media in the CD drive is just Red Book audio, and I'll do whatever the hell I want to it (within fair use)."
Unfortunatly this is exactly what Sony is counting on... If enough people don't care, they win... By default it will become acceptable for corporations to install whatever they hell they want on YOUR PC. There is a MUCH bigger issue lurking here, and everyone need to take notice of that.
I've always been under the impression that Japanese companies (or those largly held by) were a bit more ethical than their American counterparts. Sony has proven to me that my impression was completely in error.
Unless they come very clean, very quickly, I will do my utmost to avoid purchasing any Sony product ever again, be it a new cam corder, an entertianment system...or even blank media.
I fail to see how this electronic contraption can be better than my design which attaches to the barrel of a.357 magnum and allows you to control humans with simple, easy to learn, voice commands.
Well, i scan in all my images at the maximum (interpolated) resolution of my scanner 9600 x 9600.
When I create thumbnails i use a resolution of 1280 x 1024
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If you carefully read Mark's blog's he describes how it can be done successfully. YMMV
One could argue that management and ownership are different...but you may be more correct, as it was management that made those decisions...
>That is strange. I wonder why you thought this? Possibly because I have a good idea just how un-ethical American companies can be ;-)
I've always been under the impression that Japanese companies (or those largly held by) were a bit more ethical than their American counterparts. Sony has proven to me that my impression was completely in error. Unless they come very clean, very quickly, I will do my utmost to avoid purchasing any Sony product ever again, be it a new cam corder, an entertianment system...or even blank media.
I fail to see how this electronic contraption can be better than my design which attaches to the barrel of a .357 magnum and allows you to control humans with simple, easy to learn, voice commands.
Well, i scan in all my images at the maximum (interpolated) resolution of my scanner 9600 x 9600. When I create thumbnails i use a resolution of 1280 x 1024