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Microsoft Media Player "Security Patch" Changes EULA Big Time | |
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| Time: 17:06 EST/22:06 GMT | News Source: Slashdot | Posted By: Julien Jay | ||
Last night I got security bulletin MS02-032 from Microsoft concerning Windows Media Player; there is a patch that fixes all previous vulnerabilities and three new vulnerabilities. As I started the installation of the patch, the End User License Agreement box popped up. Normally I don't even read these things, but this time I did. There was a fairly standard preamble followed by some bullet points; here is the text of the second point: "Digital Rights Management (Security). You agree that in order to protect the integrity of content and software protected by digital rights management ("Secure Content"), Microsoft may provide security related updates to the OS Components that will be automatically downloaded onto your computer. These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use other software on your computer. If we provide such a security update, we will use reasonable efforts to post notices on a web site explaining the update." These security related updates sound more like version upgrades to the OS, since new functionality is added, and Windows Media Player will be used as an agent to download and install the new software "automatically." Normally security updates are announced by email containing a link to the website where the patch can be downloaded. There was no mention of which website Microsoft will use to post notices of new or upgraded software that was automatically downloaded to your computer while you were listening to a webcast using Windows Media Player, or how a user will know when to check the website to find out what has been added to the OS. I have never been a Microsoft basher and have been using MS software since I bought my first computer in 1988, but this is really disappointing. Clearly the Media Player is going to be used for a purpose for which a service pack would be more appropriate. Even if the purpose is to install an automatic update utility, the owner of the computer should be in control and not be subject to "Things That Happen Behind Your Back." | ||
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| #1 By 3653 (65.190.70.73) at 6/29/2002 6:13:07 PM |
| yawn |
| #2 By 61 (65.32.168.97) at 6/29/2002 6:14:52 PM |
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Realist, once again your fanaticist ideas are just outright wrong.
Stop making conspiracy theories out of something you know ABSOLUTELY nothing about. |
| #3 By 531 (66.188.129.246) at 6/29/2002 6:47:19 PM |
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Realist:
while you're writing to your congressman, you might want to tell them about the aliens, too... I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing all about your conspiracy theories. Go get 'em, tiger. |
| #4 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/29/2002 7:40:24 PM |
| Well guys, it seems to me that most of the people here are missing the meaning of the paragraph; personally I am stopping to use Mediaplayer right now. Btw I am downloading Linux and beginning to get used to it... just in case. I am not a MS busher, I was use to vote Repubblican but I like less and less what is going on here. |
| #5 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/29/2002 9:11:26 PM |
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What is a good, alternative media player other than Real Player that I hate? Thanks in advance.
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| #6 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/29/2002 9:11:28 PM |
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What is a good, alternative media player other than Real Player that I hate? Thanks in advance.
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| #7 By 3653 (65.190.70.73) at 6/29/2002 9:49:48 PM |
| Vote Republican? What does that have to do with anything? |
| #8 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/29/2002 10:43:53 PM |
| #10 Easy, I live in Forida which is one of the dissenting States in the MS case, I strongly believe that this is just a waste of tax payer money and a wrong economic policy. In a democracy the way to manifest your dissens with politicians is to vote against them and this is what I am going to do. |
| #9 By 61 (65.32.168.97) at 6/29/2002 11:06:46 PM |
| It's not taking away from fair use, it's taking away from your ability to do things such as pirate music and video. |
| #10 By 2062 (68.129.88.88) at 6/29/2002 11:18:37 PM |
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There was an exploit about a week ago that affected apache servers running bsd and i believe linux too. Slashdot has done only 1 story, and that's on a worm that uses the exploits - http://apache.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/06/28/181231&mode=thread&tid=148 . Slashdot has never done a story on just the exploit itself.
Now which do you think is more important: a security hole in a web server that allows your machine to be totally taken over, or a small change in microsoft's eula made months ago? This is just plain bs. My theory is slashdot posts stories like this eula story to make people mad enough to try linux. Just look at the comments on there story and you'll see people bashing microsoft, even talking about sueing microsoft. All this means good business for linux. All this is way blown out of proporation, slashdot is baised to help sell linux, it's the truth. Slashdot is as unbaised as the register. -gosh |
| #11 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/29/2002 11:50:22 PM |
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#15 There is a thin border line here. I don't steel music or programs but I want to be in control of what is installed on my computer and I want to know what these "updates" do before they get installed. I have no problems with protected CDs, I just don't buy them. Why? Because I believe that buying a CD I also buy the right to copy one or more songs to a CD to make compilations or to play it on my computer or having a copy of the original one to play in my bedroom without having to take it from the living room. Artists and recording industry don't agree? Fine to me, it is their right t forbid me to do it as it is my right to spend my money buying something else. I can live without buying CDs but singers and the industry can't live without sales therefore they have to reach a fair deal with consumers; they can't dictate nothing because they are the weakest ones. Again I never stealed music or software because I believe that it is wrong but I don't allow anybody to step into my property without my previous permit. This post was edited by Fritzly on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 00:58. |
| #12 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 6/30/2002 1:04:21 AM |
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gosh - No, slashdot reported on the security flaw in Apache:
http://apache.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/06/17/1948249&mode=thread&tid=172 However, the worm in the wild hasn't made it to their front page yet... it's under the Apache subtopic. That seems odd because if it was a Microsoft worm, it'd be all over the front page. Fritzly - I guess I'm struck by the last comment in the Microsoft text... "If we provide such a security update, we will use reasonable efforts to post notices on a web site explaining the update." I'm curious, did you read the Microsoft text before commenting on it, because it seems to me that last statement says they will use reasonable efforts to notify you of what is in these updates before they get installed. Overall, I have to give slashdot an A for creating Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. And a hearty job well done to Realist and the other over-reactors. |
| #13 By 1896 (66.20.202.177) at 6/30/2002 1:44:11 AM |
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Sodablue that is the point I don't like at all. I perfectly understand MS trying to cover its back with the recording industry and than showing that they are taking action but "If we provide such a security update, we will use reasonable efforts to post notices on a web site explaining the update." sounds to me a nothing else than simple euphemism to be safe in case they will not warn you; what about "If we provide such a security update we will post a detailed explanation of it on our web site"? It is clear and reasonable. Furthermore I am wondering if you carefully read the article: "disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use other software on your computer". I don't need a virtual cop in my computer that decides if and when disable some of my programs. Note that personally I don't have nothing to hide but it is the idea to delegate so much discretion to someone else that bother me. If MS says that starting with Longhorn they would install a program that monitor if I have installed any warez copy of MS programs on my PC it is fine for me because is a clear and defined statement: if I run warez programs I am accountable for my illegal action, if they screw up my system with no reason they are accountable for the trouble and the damages they would cause to me. What I don't like is when things are vaguely described because that is the typical situation that causes troubles.
This post was edited by Fritzly on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 01:47. |
| #14 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 6/30/2002 12:41:00 PM |
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Fritzly - If you are unwilling to take words at face value and instead assign conspiracy theories to them, then I see no point in either listening to you whine or continue to discuss this with you.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The anti-MS conspiracy theorists have a pretty damn bad track record. They make wild ridiculous claims, and then take no responsibility when their predictions don't come anywhere close to being true. Come on, let's get some reality mixed in with these discussions. This post was edited by sodablue on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 12:42. |
| #15 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 6/30/2002 3:58:20 PM |
|
Realist - I'm curious if you are willing to take responsibility for your FUD. Are you ready to put money down that your sky is falling predictions will come true?
How about $100? If within two years time, you will only be allowed to run certified programs on Windows, I will send you $100. If it doesn't happen, you send me $100. |
| #16 By 61 (65.32.168.97) at 7/1/2002 12:57:15 AM |
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Realist:
You STILL don't get it, how can one be that thick headed? Why do you think that any company is out to JUST please the consumers. There is NO such company based on our society. Now, simply, Microsoft does what's good for itself, and by doing that, they have to do what's good for the consumers. |
| #17 By 143 (172.150.95.28) at 7/1/2002 1:24:11 AM |
| It's a big Corporate world.. |
| #18 By 931 (24.98.84.138) at 7/1/2002 5:56:13 AM |
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ahh.. look around the sky is falling... it's just falling a such a slow pace you dont notice it. (and aren't supposed to)
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| #19 By 2960 (156.80.64.164) at 7/1/2002 11:49:19 AM |
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We are Borg. Resistance is Futile!
Prepare to be assimilated into the Microsoft Collective. Well, that's how it feels, anyway... TL |
| #20 By 2960 (156.80.64.164) at 7/1/2002 12:03:04 PM |
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The only good thing about this is that SP1 will (reportedly) have the option of removing this god-forsaken piece of junk from your system forever.
I can't wait. TL |
| #21 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 7/1/2002 2:08:35 PM |
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KnightHawk - Ok, how about 5 years out? You want to put money down?
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