Windows users at risk from flaw in Macromedia DRM

Microsoft has warned that both Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 suffer from a vulnerability resulting from a flaw in a bundled DRM module. First reported by Symantec, this antipiracy component has been bundled with Windows for the last six years.

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So, once again, DRM actually reduces the security of a system, especially on older XP systems in homes where you KNOW the Administrator account name (or it's something really original like Compaq_Administrator, LOL) and there is no password.

All those poor folks who thought they just wanted to play a game are now vulnerable... again.

At least this wasn't something as horrible as a rootkit, but still, there is code running on my box that I really don't want there, and it's sole purpose is to make copy protection easier. Too bad that copy protection has been broken for years, and is effectively useless.

Sigh...

Blu-ray’s DRM crown jewel tarnished with crack of BD+

SlySoft promised the BD+ would be cracked by the end of 2007, and the company was on the money. Blu-ray's one DRM "advantage" over HD DVD has apparently disappeared, as the newest beta of AnyDVD reportedly can rip discs protected with BD+.

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I have some level of hope that the content producers will realize they are in a losing war, and learn to adapt to the new reality. If not, at least I get the freedom to do what I want with media that I've paid for, whether they like it or not.

The genie is out of the bottle, and there's no putting it back. The DRM on Blu-Ray was one of three issues stopping me from buying into the technology.

In no particular order, the issues are:

1) DRM - I don't want to be restricted in my use of a product. I can play DVDs on my computer, or I can rip them and use media center software to distribute them throughout my house. I can do the same with CDs, and make a copy so that my $15 CD or DVD doesn't get scratched up when my kids forget to put it back in the case. That doesn't seem like much to ask.

2) Cost - The intial cost of a Blu-Ray player is fairly ridiculous, especially when Walmart was carrying a Toshiba HD-DVD player for $98 in the last week. Wow!

3) Sony - They've just pissed me off too many times in the past. DRM on CDs, not playing burned CDs or DVDs in my Sony DVD player, rootkits... ROOTKITS! !@#@&*#!!! My Sony Trinitron TV that broke after 4 years, in the 6th year, and the 7th and last year.

The advantages of Blu-Ray do exist. I like the larger capacity. Eh. Whatever. HD-DVD seems to be big enough for movies in HD.

Link to Linked in, and help promote yourself!

A link to my linked in page... heh.