Jimbo
January 27th, 2006, 05:27
I was just reading in PC magazine about a problem that hits home for me. It might be something for you to look into also.
It involves a music service called BMG Music Service. If you have ever seen the ads in magazines and on the internet for things like “11 CDs for the price of 1” or “CDs for a penny”, listen up. If you have bought any music CDs from one of these deals, and copied the music onto your computer, you could have a big problem
First, get one fact clear. When I say copy the music to your computer, I am not talking about downloading from the internet. I am talking about copying a CD that you bought legally, and copied onto your computer, so you could listen to it on your computer, or an MP3 player. Like I said, this hits home for me, since I have done just this many times.
Turns out that Sony / BMG music service have been putting some security software onto their CDs for some time, in an effort to stop people from sharing the music illegally with other people. The only problem is that the software can leave your computer wide open for hacker attacks. I don’t know if these hacker attacks are an issue if you run a firewall, but I am looking further into it.
For now, check out any CDs you may have bought, and copied onto your computer. If the area by the bar code on the case says “BMG Music Service” or “Sony/BMG Music” you may have a problem. I will be looking into what has to be done, and what you can do to get rid of the software that came with the music. Simply deleting the songs will not get rid of the software. You may be ok if you run a firewall, but I’m not sure yet. Just please check your CD cases to be sure.
Anyone who knows more about this topic, please feel free to add what you know here. I have bought probably 20 or 30 CDs from BMG, and put them all on my computer. So far, I have never suffered a hacker attack, but that’s no guarantee. I’ll be looking for the fix for the problem, as the article I was reading said there is a removal tool out there.
Keep an eye on this topic if it involves you, as more information will be coming.
It involves a music service called BMG Music Service. If you have ever seen the ads in magazines and on the internet for things like “11 CDs for the price of 1” or “CDs for a penny”, listen up. If you have bought any music CDs from one of these deals, and copied the music onto your computer, you could have a big problem
First, get one fact clear. When I say copy the music to your computer, I am not talking about downloading from the internet. I am talking about copying a CD that you bought legally, and copied onto your computer, so you could listen to it on your computer, or an MP3 player. Like I said, this hits home for me, since I have done just this many times.
Turns out that Sony / BMG music service have been putting some security software onto their CDs for some time, in an effort to stop people from sharing the music illegally with other people. The only problem is that the software can leave your computer wide open for hacker attacks. I don’t know if these hacker attacks are an issue if you run a firewall, but I am looking further into it.
For now, check out any CDs you may have bought, and copied onto your computer. If the area by the bar code on the case says “BMG Music Service” or “Sony/BMG Music” you may have a problem. I will be looking into what has to be done, and what you can do to get rid of the software that came with the music. Simply deleting the songs will not get rid of the software. You may be ok if you run a firewall, but I’m not sure yet. Just please check your CD cases to be sure.
Anyone who knows more about this topic, please feel free to add what you know here. I have bought probably 20 or 30 CDs from BMG, and put them all on my computer. So far, I have never suffered a hacker attack, but that’s no guarantee. I’ll be looking for the fix for the problem, as the article I was reading said there is a removal tool out there.
Keep an eye on this topic if it involves you, as more information will be coming.