I’ve not been big into console games. The last computer we had that directly connected to the TV all the time was an old Atari 400. (Which I occassionaly wax nostalgic for…) Anyway, the XBox 360 is the recently released big new upgrade to the XBox from Microsoft and there are a couple of interesting reports out about it today. For one, Business Week is reporting on the likely loss that Microsoft is taking on each unit (they seel for $399), they’ve looked and think that MS is losing a bit over $100 on each one. The goal of course, is to make money off the games. There is worse news though for some XBox 360 new owners.
Tag: computer
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More Sony lawsuit news… Texas files suit
The security fix is reporting on the latest lawsuit filed against Sony/BMG for the DRM rootkit known as XCP.
“Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak and dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers,” Abbott is quoted as saying in a press release on his official Web site. “Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime.”
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OTHER Sony DRM software has security flaws too.
You almost want to bury your head in the sand at this point if you’re Sony…. Freedom-to-tinker has some details. The last couple weeks the XCP copy protection that Sony uses has been the center of a Firestorm for rootkit capabilities and massive security problems. Well, it seems the OTHER Digital Rights Management (DRM) software they use ( SunnComm MediaMax ) has some serious flaws too.
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FTC’s message to Enternet Media has not quite sunk in…
In spite of the FTC’s raid of Enternet Media and charges against them for various details such as deceptive install practices, unfair installation of code, failure to disclose nature of bundled software and furnishing code to others that interferes with the use of the computer… well, Enternet Media seems to be proliferating their wares just fine… in spite of a temporary restraining order. According to Spyware Confidential there are still downloads of searchmiracle/elitebar as written up here.
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Sony BMG suspends pressing DRM protected cds
It looks as though Sony has decided to suspend pressing cds with the XCP copy protection software. Numerous sources are reporting on the “capitulation” of Sony on the matter. It seems as though this is a temporary stop, from what I read they will likely pursue other means of DRM.
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Looks as though the FTC has broken up a spyware ring
A bit of good news on the spyware front, the FTC has announced that it’s frozen the assets of a spyware ring. Apparently they spread spyware through a network of sites and blogs that pushed ringtones, lyrics, and pictures. Good to see some progress made against spyware pushers….
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Microsoft November 2005 patch day
That most wonderful day of the month has come when we get an idea of what vulnerabilities we may see exploited…. Seriously, if you run Windows, go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com or ensure you have automatic updates if at all possible. This months most critical update relates to a vulnerability in the way windows renders (draws) images. It appears that an attacker could design a web page with images in such a way as to run arbitrary (anything they want) code (programs) on the victims computer, alter or view data, or simply control the machine (creating/removing user accounts, etc.)
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Apple picking up windows converts from the iPod
If AppleInsider is right, Apple has won around 1 million converts from Windows based pc’s to Apple’s platform in the past year. In part the transition is credited to the success of the ipod, although the prevalence of viruses and other malware on the windows platform is another motivating factor.
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Botnets and spyare
“It outta be illegal” is the first thing I usually hear as I start the long process of sanitizing a spyware infested windows machine. The fact is some parts of it ARE, some are just ethically questionable. The area that’s against the law is the part that involves tacking control of someone elses computer without their permission, either manually or in an automated way (exploiting a vulnerability to install a trojan or bot.) Today Brian Krebs is reporting on The connection between botnets and spyware at the securityfix.
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Low power, small, wall mountable pc
This is something neat I found at the sunbeltblog. Usually I see spyware/security related bits there, but this was different and worth a mention. It appears to be a wall mountable pc around 4-5″ square.