By Charlie Coon, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, November 23, 2005
It seems innocent enough.
A Sony BMG music CD bought at a Power Zone, when inserted into a computer, requires the Sony player be downloaded in order to play the music.
But the software also includes anti-piracy software and a “root kit” that secretly enables Sony to track usage and alter the computer’s operating system.
This surreptitious software allows hackers to access data stored on the computer and introduce viruses.
[…]
Army Lt. Col. Dave Accetta, a spokesman for AAFES Europe, said stores are complying with the Sony recall and pulling the affected CDs from its shelves.
“It is a voluntary recall, but we want to make sure customers are aware and are not placing computer systems at risk,” he said.
The software does not affect stereo equipment, just computers, according to Sony and AAFES.
Sony is being sued by the state of Texas, which contends that the electronics giant violated the state’s new spyware law.
“Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak and dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers,” said Greg Abbott, the Texas attorney general.