>>No, this is NOT a Hallowe'en joke:
>>
>>http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html
>
>There's a followup already
>
>http://news.com.com/Sony+to+patch+copy-protected+CD/2100-7355_3-5928608.html?tag=nefd.top

Thanks for that... however IMO the so-called "patch" doesn't go even 1/4 of the way to fixing this issue:

1. There are no doubt thousands, maybe millions of CDs still out there with the "cloaked"/rootkit DRM. Any virus writer will be able to get hold of one to use as a base for malware

2. The rootkit is badly written and likely to cause general computer reliability problems. It would not surprise me if software like this effectively voids Windows support incidents from Microsoft or OEMs, as they cannot be responsible for low-level modifications to the OS

3. Presence/installation of this rootkit was not revealed in the DRM EULA

4. Most users won't even realize their machines have been "rooted" and that they need the "patch"

5. Users have to actively seek the patch. As a half-a*sed measure Sony is trying to get antivirus vendors to distribute it in their pattern updates !

6. There is no way (at present) to remove the rootkit. The article author was able to do so only through extremely deep knowledge of Windows system internals. The C|Net article points to a general Sony/BMG customer support e-mail address. They need to set up a dedicated address and removal tool pronto.