Sony’s DRM Crosses the Line and Installs a Rootkit

The Washington Post has a good article on how Sony’s new copy protection scheme installs what amounts to a rootkit on your computer to prevent you from copying their CDs.

Sysinternals published the original report, complete with all the gory details.

Wired has a great article on Sony’s reluctance to come clean on the issue called “The Coverup Is the Crime.” I like the sentiment expressed in the closing line:

Honest programs have no need to conceal themselves or their actions from users. Honest companies, too.

This is way over the line of acceptable behavior.

I certainly won’t be buying a Sony / BMG CD.

Update Nov. 11, 2005

Well it seems it is also legally way over the line of acceptable behavior. Slashdot is reporting that EFF has files a suit in California and will be filing another in New York later today.

Also it seems that there is already a trojan that uses the Sony software to hide itself from detection.