Media Files that Spread Spyware — Here is the trend of the day.
Users have a lot to worry about when downloading and playing media files. Are the files legal? Can their computers play the required file formats? Now there’s yet another problem to add to the list: Will a media file try to install spyware?
When Windows Media Player encounters a file with certain “rights management” features enabled, it opens the web page specified by the file’s creator. This page is intended to help a content providers promote its products — perhaps other music by the same artist or label. However, the specified web page can show deceptive messages, including pop-ups that try to install software on users’ PCs. User with all the latest updates (Windows XP Service Pack 2 plus Windows Media Player 10) won’t get these popups. But with older software, confusing and misleading messages can trick users into installing software they don’t want and don’t need — potentially so many programs that otherwise-satisfactory computers become slow and unreliable.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times, if you NEED to use a microsoft video player, use the classic Windows Media Player 6.4 It’s even included with XP. It’s located here:
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe
BTW, the licence agreement yon later versions of Microsoft’s Media Player gives Microsoft and “third parties” the right to “disable your ability to copy and/or play secure content and use other software on your computer.” So by using the latest Media Player, you give Microsoft the right to keep you from using Nero, or Winamp, or Audiograbber, etc., or any other program or file on your computer!
http://www.pcw.co.uk/features/1143716
Will Microsoft ever carry out that right? Who knows? The point is that Microsoft HAS the right. It must have reserved the right for some reason.
If you take a look at the Security of your Windows Media player options, you’ll notice options to disable scripted events that may be part of the wmv file or stream you are playing.
http://clevescene.com/issues/2005-03-30/news/feature_print.html
Heres a great David versus Goliath story.
Ray K.
I checked out your link. Excellent choice !!!
I highly recommend it as required reading for anyone supporting Micro$oft’s use of license technology (aka rights management).
If the folks are Microsoft are such geniuses, how come they almost ALWAYS miss these security flaws?
Tort reform? You want stinkin’ tort reform? I want a tort system that lets us sue Microsoft for the GAZILLION hours their negligence has cost us.