Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far

Windows expert Mark Russinovich discovered a very nasty surprise left behind by a “protected” Sony music CD:

The entire experience was frustrating and irritating. Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files.

★ Tuesday, 1 November 2005