December 07, 2005 (vol. 116, iss. 44) • Page Image 4
… selling CDs that contain Extended Copying Protection software - a lovely euphemism for what is little more than a com- mercially distributed computer virus. The innocent-looking XCP software auto- matically…
… installs itself on Windows comput- ers and limits listeners' ability to copy the CD's music - supposedly protecting Sony from untold lost profits. But while copy-pro- tection software keeps Sony safe, it…
… also puts buyers' computers at risk. This type of pro- gram, called a rootkit, lurks on users' systems - undetected even by antivirus software - and makes computers more susceptible to viruses. Viruses…
… provided only a flawed uninstall program that left computers even more vulnerable. Thomas Hesse, president of Sony BMG's global digital business division, told National Public Radio, "Most people don't even…
… that it'll simply find a bigger, better copy-protection program that does the job without jeopardizing computer security. Neiburger suggested that Sony's mistakes could generate the backlash needed to…
… the Napster mess as a copyright-friendly way to make money off digital media. But for all its popularity, Apple, not the buyer, is in total control. Apple can "change, suspend, remove, or disable access…