Beastie Boys New Cd

pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Installs a virus??!?!</div> <a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/23/beastie_boy_cd_virus/?index' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/23/be...cd_virus/?index</a>

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Beastie Boys CD installs virus
By Thomas C Greene
Published Wednesday 23rd June 2004 11:18 GMT

A new Beastie Boys' CD called "To the Five Boroughs" (Capitol Records), is raising hackles around the Web for reputedly infecting computers with a virus.

According to a recent thread at BugTraq, an executable file is automatically and silently installed on the user's machine when the CD is loaded. The file is said to be a driver that prevents users from ripping the CD (and perhaps others), and attacks both Windows boxen and Macs.

The infected CD is being distributed worldwide except in the USA and UK, which prevents us from giving a firsthand report. However, according to hearsay, we gather that the Windows version exploits the 'autorun' option, and that the Mac version affects the auto play option.

On Windows, when a CD is loaded, a text file called autorun.inf is read, and any instructions within it are executed. In this case, the machine is instructed to install some manner of DRM driver that prevents copying. We haven't seen either the .inf file or any of the executables, so we can't say how or at what level it accomplishes this - or if indeed it actually does accomplish this.

But assuming that the unconfirmed reports are accurate, we have here a media company infecting users' machines silently with a file that affects a computer's functionality, without first obtaining informed consent: a likely violation of pretty much every jurisdiction's anti-hacking laws. It's possible to foresee criminal charges being brought at some point: after all, having a good reason for spreading malware has never been much of a defence in court. And a file that alters a computer's functioning without the owner's informed consent is the very definition of malware. Because this malware can be transferred from machine to machine on a removable disk, and requires user interaction to spread, it is, quite simply, a computer virus. (A worm, on the other hand, is distinguished by its ability to spread without user interaction.)
CD virus protection

Let's look at the ways this autorun business can be defeated. It's quite easy to disable autorun in Windows by holding down the Shift key when loading a CD. Unfortunately, this has to be done each time the CD is played. However, it's easy to insert the CD once with the Shift key depressed, and then simply rip the tracks to the hard disk. You can then use the CD in other devices, and listen to your corresponding MP3s or whatever on your computer.

You can also disable the autorun "feature" on your Windows machine permanently so that this and other CDs infected with viruses won't affect you in the future.

To do this, go to the Start menu ==> Run, and type in the command regedit. Your registry editor will launch. Navigate to the following key, and edit as shown:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CDRom and set Autorun DWORD=0

It might be necessary to create the value, thus: Data Type: DWORD Value Name: Autorun Value: 0

As usual, you must reboot your Windows box for the changes to take effect.
Disinfection

The above procedure assumes that you haven't previously installed the suspected Capitol Records virus, or a similar one from another fine entertainment conglomerate. But if you have, you will need to find and uninstall the malware first. The autorun.inf file on the CD will likely indicate the name of the relevant file(s), the locations where they're installed, and any registry changes made.

Armed with that information, go to the Windows 'uninstall' utility:

Start menu ==> Settings ==> Control Panel ==> Add or Remove Programs ==> Change/Remove.

Look for any program files referenced in the autorun.inf file and uninstall them. If no related programs are listed, you will need to launch the Windows Search Companion and search for any files named in the autorun.inf file and delete them manually. Be sure to activate the options in the "more advanced features" dialog allowing you to search the entire disk (search system folders, search hidden folders, and search subfolders).

Now, a word of caution: if the Capitol Records virus has updated a library file or driver, deleting it might affect your system's functioning, and you might need to re-install Windows to put things right again. (Carefully log the time needed to do this and include it in your criminal complaint.) However, deleting a foreign executable file is safe, so long as it's not one you actually need. So be careful about file name spellings so that you don't accidentally delete an important file that's spelt similar to the one you wish to be rid of. ®<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

A big WTH goes out to the Beastie Boys and Capitol Records.
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Comments

  • POOP_AkiraPOOP_Akira Join Date: 2003-11-23 Member: 23468Members
    Wow... Good thing I got the US version...

    Seriously, what the hell!?
  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    I smell fried capital **** <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    I <i>knew</i> the beasty boys sucked! I KNEW IT AHAHAHAHHAHA!
  • CplDavisCplDavis I hunt the arctic Snonos Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12097Members
    well, it hasnt been confirmed yet, but when i see The World vs Captial records and the Beasty Boys go to trial ill give an offical HAHA.

    until then Ill give my unoffical "haha"
  • OttoDestructOttoDestruct Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7790Members
    Do you honestly believe that they (the beastie boys) have ANYTHING TO DO WITH CD CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION? Other than art.
  • antifreezeantifreeze The guy with the goods&#33; Join Date: 2003-05-12 Member: 16232Members, Constellation
    meh. Live in the uk and dont like the beastie boys but i could see this going into other albums if capitol dont get there **** sued straight to hell. Anyway virus checker compaines will likly latch onto this and stuff it in their updates, or atleast spybot will. McAfee is insanly good it has prevented allsorts of stuff getting on my pc, 2004 edition IMO is the best checker out there.
  • GadzukoGadzuko Join Date: 2002-12-26 Member: 11556Members, Constellation
    Meh, this has been done before. The only reason people are upset is because it's the Beastie Boys this time. Just hold down Shift when you put the CD in, rip the tracks and you're done. Easy (and legal).
  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    edited June 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-OttoDestruct+Jun 26 2004, 04:19 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (OttoDestruct @ Jun 26 2004, 04:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Do you honestly believe that they (the beastie boys) have ANYTHING TO DO WITH CD CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION? Other than art. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Good one <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo--> They probably use some monkeys instead..
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    The fact that it happens without the computer user's knowledge.

    It's not like uber-evil, but kinda dodgy and generally not cool.
  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-version91x+Jun 26 2004, 04:36 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (version91x @ Jun 26 2004, 04:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I may not have read this correctly, but it sounds like the Beasty Boys are [exploiting] the shitness of windows and macs to make their music safer. How is this a bad thing? Sure people will get upset and all, but the stupid theif AOLers deserve it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    They did broke the law, that's why, bomm yah baby!
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Epidemic+Jun 25 2004, 09:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Epidemic @ Jun 25 2004, 09:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-version91x+Jun 26 2004, 04:36 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (version91x @ Jun 26 2004, 04:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I may not have read this correctly, but it sounds like the Beasty Boys are [exploiting] the shitness of windows and macs to make their music safer. How is this a bad thing? Sure people will get upset and all, but the stupid theif AOLers deserve it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    They did broke the law, that's why, bomm yah baby! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    What are you talking about? its perfectly leagle to install virii on people computers without them knowing about it. </sarcasm>
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-version91x+Jun 25 2004, 10:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (version91x @ Jun 25 2004, 10:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It's kind of stupid, it's the 'victims' own fault for putting it in a computer that autoruns. It's like giving a criminal a gun, why the hell shouldn't they shoot you? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It's not like they warn you, "putting this CD into your computer and allowing it to autorun will install virii to your computer"

    Unless you just happened to see a thread like this somewhere you wouldn't know any better anyways.
  • JefeJefe Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15734Members, Constellation
    well thanks for the heads up
  • antifreezeantifreeze The guy with the goods&#33; Join Date: 2003-05-12 Member: 16232Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-version91x+Jun 26 2004, 03:36 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (version91x @ Jun 26 2004, 03:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I may not have read this correctly, but it sounds like the Beasty Boys are [exploiting] the shitness of windows and macs to make their music safer. How is this a bad thing? Sure people will get upset and all, but the stupid theif AOLers deserve it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Fair enough a PC which autoruns is could be said as being daft, but its convinient. I dont grumble about them making music safer fair enough, but those people with minidisc players, and mp3 players which cannot rip the tracks. They are in effect promoting more piracy, because when people find out what the **** is going on, people will just download them off kazaa to save the hassle. Personally if Capitol are found to be doing this then i hope they go bankrupt and have to close. <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    I dont think its AOLers by the way who this would happen to, because without warning any poor old person could put in the cd, think its harmless and poof, they are shagged.
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • JefeJefe Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15734Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-version91x+Jun 25 2004, 09:31 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (version91x @ Jun 25 2004, 09:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It's true they don't, and you wouldn't know. But they shouldn't have to warn you. It's just a case of an insecure medium. Much like the IE security hole which allowed xml files to be masked as .jpg's, you can blame both the hackers and MS.

    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->because without warning any poor old person could put in the cd, think its harmless and poof, they are shagged.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I agree but if I did it, it would be my own fault.

    Also I do hope they stop doing this, tis not nice :/ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Why shouldn't they have to warn you? Exploiting said security holes is illegal, so you know. You are required by law to warn people what they're getting into before you maliciously attack their computer.
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    edited June 2004
    disable autorun, rip, laugh. the DMCA allows you to convert media for personal use

    funny thing about itunes, it's illegal to strip the file protection stuff. so just burn it to a cd (legal) and then rip it (again, legal) kaboom, mp3s from itunes
  • GadzukoGadzuko Join Date: 2002-12-26 Member: 11556Members, Constellation
    I think it's worth noting that it does not install a virus that causes malicious damage to your computer, it's just a copyright protection system that prevents ripping. It can technically be called a virus, but it's not one that will destroy your system or data. Bit of an overreaction to call it that IMO.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Black Mage+Jun 26 2004, 12:43 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Black Mage @ Jun 26 2004, 12:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> disable autorun, rip, laugh. the DMCA allows you to convert media for personal use

    funny thing about itunes, it's illegal to strip the file protection stuff. so just burn it to a cd (legal) and then rip it (again, legal) kaboom, mp3s from itunes <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Wouldn't the cumulation of those actions be considered striping the file protection and therefore be illegal?
  • Soylent_greenSoylent_green Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11220Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    DRM allways only hurts legitimate users.

    The music will be ripped and distributed anyway, there seems to be no way around this except something like palladium as it used to be called. But legal owners are prohibited from ripping their CDs(legal and common) and some types of DRM prevents CDs from working correctly in certain CD players.

    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think it's worth noting that it does not install a virus that causes malicious damage to your computer, it's just a copyright protection system that prevents ripping. It can technically be called a virus, but it's not one that will destroy your system or data. Bit of an overreaction to call it that IMO.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If it prevents you from ripping any CD it is both illegal and malicious as you are legally allowed to convert media for personal use.
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    well, after this, i would go DL the album just to rip off the cd.. and how do they expect that to work.. we would just cut out the middleman and not bother to buy a cd.. and dl all the stuff
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • RellixRellix Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13572Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    No problem for me.
    For some insane weird reason my PC stoped autoplaying stuff by itself, then a few months later the autorun button in the RMB menu on the DVD drive went to!

    I now have to manualy activate everything on the CD. Seems my weird twist of fate was a good thing after all.
  • GadzukoGadzuko Join Date: 2002-12-26 Member: 11556Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Soylent green+Jun 26 2004, 03:42 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Soylent green @ Jun 26 2004, 03:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If it prevents you from ripping any CD it is both illegal and malicious as you are legally allowed to convert media for personal use. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Regardless, it is not a virus in the traditional sense of the word. It does not destroy data, cause network traffic, attempt to replicate itself onto other machines, or any other behaviors that are associated with viruses. It does interfere with some operations, I'll grant, but I don't think it deserves to be called a virus. Spyware, yes.
  • antifreezeantifreeze The guy with the goods&#33; Join Date: 2003-05-12 Member: 16232Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Black Mage+Jun 26 2004, 06:43 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Black Mage @ Jun 26 2004, 06:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> disable autorun, rip, laugh. the DMCA allows you to convert media for personal use

    funny thing about itunes, it's illegal to strip the file protection stuff. so just burn it to a cd (legal) and then rip it (again, legal) kaboom, mp3s from itunes <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    samefor napster. Download the tracks for free to play, it normally costs to burn to anything but heh. play and hook in speaker output to minidisc player, set it to auto track place(As far as i know that not illegal). Once done hook minidisc player to computer via USB and then pull the tracks back onto computer (Also not illegal). No different to copying straight from radio.
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    edited June 2004
  • Paranoia2MBParanoia2MB Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7832Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Moquiao+Jun 26 2004, 03:44 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Jun 26 2004, 03:44 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> well, after this, i would go DL the album just to rip off the cd.. and how do they expect that to work.. we would just cut out the middleman and not bother to buy a cd.. and dl all the stuff <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I was just going to post that.

    But anyways

    Exactly, why buy a cd that has a virus on it when you can just download the freaking songs?
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