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EA gets class-action sued over Spore DRM
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The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 25 September, 2008
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Electronics Arts claiming that the publisher is violating California law by hiding the fact that the hit game Spore install SecuROM DRM which is impossible to remove.
EA has been under fire since the release of the game on September 7th with many gamers taking exception to the crippling SecuROM DRM which allows for the game to only be installed ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
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leglessoz
Junior Member
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28. September 2008 @ 12:31 |
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Originally posted by borhan9:
Well this is getting very intresting. I think this is a case that may set a precident in this regard for software that install seperate applications without the user knowing the full effects of it.
I feel that the best this is for it to be an option that is part of the software installation process like if you choose a custom installation.
But unlike other softwares that give one a choice of installing certain parts and not others their CRM software cannot be a choice or NO ONE would install it. Would they? Think about it. Given the choice of installing an invasive, pervasive, uninstallable piece of software or not, what would you choose?
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13thHouR
Suspended permanently
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28. September 2008 @ 13:30 |
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http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware
Quote:
mal·ware (māl'wâr') Pronunciation Key
n. Malicious computer software that interferes with normal computer functions or sends personal data about the user to unauthorized parties over the Internet.
@ borhan9
Even if you run the Sony SecuROM malware remove tool that can be found here >> ;
http://www.securom.com/support/SecuROM_Uninstaller.zip
it still leaves behind a whole load of junk without any option to fully remove the spyware from your pc/mac. A concerning part of the removal process is that it leaves behind files that are locked or completely hidden & due to Sony blocking Debuggers from working when SecuROM is active its hard to establish the full extent of the DRM?s infestation.
If you try to track any changes or debug even using a, "not so invasive" tool like Process Explorer from Mark Russinovich, your pc locks up completely.
Mark Russinovic is the man who highlighted and exposed Sony's last malware/Spyware DRM, their infamous RootKit .
After the uninstaller is ran, it then also tries to report back to sony.
One interesting note about SecuROM is that after you remove the game/s, software it came with, the Sony SecuROM DRM keeps phoning home and updating automatically.
@ leglessoz
The choice would be if you really wanted a said piece of software, you make sure that there is a crack available, so, you purchase the software, install it, then you remove all SecuROM, then move the cracked .exe to said location, ala - right click short cut/properties/find target
I emailed Sony SecuROM Support asking for an uninstaller that would ?completely? remove their malware from my pc and this is the email, i received back;
Originally posted by Sony SecuROM Support:
Hello.
SecuROM does not install any malware, including any viruses, spyware or Trojans, nor does it enable any third-party to gain access to your computer.
SecuROM simply downloads and stores SecuROM license data and information to assist with disc authentication and activation. This data and information does not affect your computer system in any way.
The link below contains a tool which removes SecuROM:
http://www.securom.com/support/SecuROM_Uninstaller.zip
Please download it, extract the application file and double click it:
- A dialog box will appear. To start the SecuROM uninstallation, press the
<Yes> button.
Please understand that any application that uses SecuROM will rebuild these files and folders with future launches.
Best regards,
SecuROM Support Team
So i ran the uninstaller but my reg guard app logged a few Left behind changes whilst i was running Sony's malware removal tool.
And the after the removal of certain files it tried to dial home, and was blocked by my firewall, i emailed Sony back about this, and that i still required a tool that would removed the locked and secret hidden files left behind (Try Unlocker, it can be downloaded from FileHippo), it has now been over a week and still no support from Sony.
Some left behind garbage after the Sony App failed to remove their malware.
CreateRegKey \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\License information
ModifyFile C:\Documents and Settings\paul\Local Settings\Temp\drm_dyndata_7370012.dll
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\License information\datasecu
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\Backup\securom_v7_01_sec.bakModifyRegValue\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\securom_v7_01.bak
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\securom_v7_01.dat
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\securom_v7_01.tmp
ModifyFile C:\Documents and Settings\paul\Application Data\SecuROM\UserData\securom_v7_01.tmp
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\Readme\Readme
ModifyFile C:\Documents and Settings\paul\Application Data\SecuROM\UserData\readme.txt
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\AppData
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication\Name
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\AppData ModifyRegValue\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication\Name
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\Backup\securom_v7_01_sec.bak
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM\UserData\securom_v7_01.bak
ModifyRegValue \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication\Name
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SecuROM
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-682003330-2052111302-725345543-1004\Software\SecuROM
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28. September 2008 @ 15:50
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Member
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28. September 2008 @ 20:12 |
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LOL. You caught Sony in the act and they don't know what to say!
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rulisky
Senior Member
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28. September 2008 @ 22:20 |
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So -
Once you run the so-called securom uninstaller program and you find left over entries in the registry, are you saying it is possible to remove these entries using the unlocker software? It must be safe to do this? What about regedit, will it work?
Thanks!
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13thHouR
Suspended permanently
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29. September 2008 @ 03:42 |
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Originally posted by raceman94:
LOL. You caught Sony in the act and they don't know what to say!
Well the thing is in their email they made 2 points:
1. That no 3rd party would gain access to my PC.
2. SecuROM is not malware.
Both of these are so obviously lies its unbelievable, for starters Sony are the 3rd party with their malware as there is no licence information in any EULA on games regarding SecuROM and the programme automatically phones home and updates from Sony, sending information from my pc to a 3rd party. I did not purchase Sony MALWARE i purchased a game.
It also makes serious changes to your PC and blocks certain programs from working correctly, like debuggers, task managers, virtual drives, misidentifying normal, legally purchased and owned CD/DVD burning software, interfering with the user's firewall with it's phone home ability: Kaspersky internet security is disabled while using Sony's MALWARE remover if you use the reg guard feature and try to see the changes made, leaving your pc wide open to attacks for a long time as this also locks your PC down.
So SecuROM is MALWARE by definition.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/malware
Quote:
Quote:mal·ware (māl'wâr') Pronunciation Key
n. Malicious computer software that interferes with normal computer functions or sends personal data about the user to unauthorized parties over the Internet.
Originally posted by rulisky:
What about regedit, will it work?Thanks!
Of the files that are not hidden by unclear labelling or other stealth action on your computer and in the registry, i have found 2 visible entries that cannot be removed.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29. September 2008 @ 04:39
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Junior Member
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30. September 2008 @ 12:46 |
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That shows how important it is that you have firewall that blocks all outgoing connections unless you allow it.
Firstly, I'm just a user like everyone here I recently found a nice app. I don't want any games/apps silently downloading in the background, so I used the free, easy to use 'Vista Firewall Control' app that takes up minimal resources. The free one is available here. Not many people use this app so its worth using fully for free if you have nothing at all to protect you.
When the Vista Firewall Control popups to ask if you would allow it access the net, just select Enable All. If you don't want a game/app to report back to its masters, then select Disable all. You only do this once so you can get on with your game.
Now no more background apps contacting other servers like Bonjour (spyware) did from Adobe & I only found out about it when it popped up using this app. At least with that you can stop it, but not in the conventional way.
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13thHouR
Suspended permanently
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1. October 2008 @ 03:23 |
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Originally posted by champman:
That shows how important it is that you have firewall that blocks all outgoing connections unless you allow it.
Firstly, I'm just a user like everyone here I recently found a nice app. I don't want any games/apps silently downloading in the background, so I used the free, easy to use 'Vista Firewall Control' app that takes up minimal resources. The free one is available here. Not many people use this app so its worth using fully for free if you have nothing at all to protect you.
Now no more background apps contacting other servers like Bonjour (spyware) did from Adobe & I only found out about it when it popped up using this app. At least with that you can stop it, but not in the conventional way.
i couldn't agree more, but most average users can't be bothered with learning how to protect their PC all they want to do is use facebook & shop, the odd thing is they always lock their homes when they leave.
there is loads of free software here: http://www.filehippo.com/
there is also an update checker in the top left that will check your current ver. of apps on your pc and tell you if they need updating like flash, java, drivers ect, its a handy site.
BTW Bonjour is apple iTunes software. May i suggest a great little app to determin what .exe's are running on your system, its called:
Process Explorer, and advanced form of task manager.
Other useful apps are TCPView: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx
And Autoruns: http://www.filehippo.com/download_autoruns/
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. October 2008 @ 03:27
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Junior Member
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1. October 2008 @ 20:23 |
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Thanks very much 13thHouR, I've downloaded those apps & check out whats running on my PC over the next few days. I didn't have any apps out of date, so at least things are ok there.
Originally posted by 13thHouR:
BTW Bonjour is apple iTunes software. May i suggest a great little app to determin what .exe's are running on your system, its called:
Process Explorer, and advanced form of task manager.
Thats weird because I only have Adobe Photoshop & Apple Quicktime player installed that could be the culprits but I'm 100% sure theres no iTunes as I don't have an iPod or any other MP3 player. If anyone wants to remove Bonjour/aka Bonjour mDNSResponder.exe - or find out more, check this article out.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. October 2008 @ 20:24
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Member
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3. October 2008 @ 08:07 |
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Bonjour..Isn't that what allows my iPod to control the iTunes on my computer via the free remote app????
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darkpika
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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3. October 2008 @ 09:17 |
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You would think that these idiots would learn after the Sony rootkit music CD copy protection scandal of 2005? Neil Diamond had went back to work with Rick Rubin (American Recordings) because he said that the Sony rootkit scandal screwed him over big time. My laptop that I had in high school (Pentium 3 750 mhz, Windows 2000 Pro, Internet Explorer 6) got messed up by the Sony rootkit software and my stepdad, a civilian PC technician for the US Army, spent hours trying to fix it and ended up wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows. Now my friend's coworker's sister claims that her college's PC technician said that Spore's SecuROM DRM had caused her laptop to freeze up whenever she tries to start any other program then IE7, Firefox, or Opera for Windows. Thank God that she backed up her work on her USB flash drive and took her factory reinstall image CDs with her.
Ben
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Junior Member
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3. October 2008 @ 20:42 |
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Just to update/clarify people on the patch where they changed the EULA terms amongst other stuff - they should keep it separate. But this is what I also found out on the net:-
Quote:
"Spore latest patch lets you install it on 5 separate PCs. EA let you install it 3 times, then 2 times only on request. Afterwards, you can call EA to get a reset for installing another copy. A reset means you get 1 install back. So to get 5 you need to install it 3 times, then call EA 2 times to get another install.
A install means a standalone install, 5 PCs at same time can be used. But when one of your 5 PCs is messed up in some way, and you need a new install you have a problem. You then need to explain EA why you need another one."
Not the way to go for EA to address this problem. They still don't get it & this 'fix' is very inconvenient. Will they still be there to phone in 5 years time when you want to go back to it like you can most games. So yes, its just like a rental that will last most people on average about 2-3 years of typical uninstalls before binning it or buying another - dream on.
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Hardwyre
Newbie
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28. October 2008 @ 21:49 |
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DRM is so anti-consumer.
Anyway, people need to realize that whether by accident or intent (probably the latter), any mention of the SecuROM software is absent from the End-User License Agreement (EULA)... which means you are not violating the License Agreement for use of the software by breaking the SecuROM program.
Just a thought...
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martin280
Junior Member
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29. October 2008 @ 17:12 |
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That's pretty funny... I did read A LOT of complaints about how the 3 installs were messing people up immediately, but I also read you could call and get some more. But who wants to do that? Not me.
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