Microsoft Media Player is spyware

Post #84,434 by marlowe 2/26/03 7:40:42 PM Reply	Microsoft Media Player is spyware [link\|http://www.itworld.com/AppDev/1471/IDG020221mediaplayer/\|Just thought you'd like to know] Excerpt: Windows Media Player 8, which comes with Microsoft's Windows XP, contacts a Microsoft Web server each time a new DVD is played on a computer. The server is given a unique fingerprint for the DVD and the media player client, allowing Microsoft to track what movies are watched on a particular PC, Smith wrote in his advisory posted at [link\|http://www.computerbytesman.com/privacy/wmp8dvd.htm\|http://www.computerb...ivacy/wmp8dvd.htm]. The unique code Windows Media Player 8 sends to Microsoft identifies the software, not the person using it. However, the anonymity could be lifted if the user signs up for the Windows Media e-mail newsletter, according to Smith. Title and track information on the DVD are retrieved from Microsoft's server and stored in a file on the user's computer, Smith wrote in his advisory. This local file could pose a privacy problem if the PC is used by more than one person. A user could uncover what movies another user is watching. No oil for TotalFinaElf! CHICKENHAWK! Scourge of clucking hens everywhere! Victory is the answer. There are no alternatives. [link\|http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/marlowe/index.html\|http://www.angelfire...arlowe/index.html]
Post #84,486 by Fuat 2/26/03 9:28:54 PM Reply	Re: Microsoft Media Player is spyware The RealOne player from real.com is like that too, I believe. Talks to the mothership whenever you view an A/V stream. The EULA mentions it when you install it. Similarly iTunes on a Mac can retrieve track information for CDs you off the internet. Perhaps using CDDB? CDDB has a privacy policy saying they won't reveal individual details. It sounds like there's some sort of registration there, but I don't recall explicitly registering with them when I started using iTunes. These days, especially with always on network connections, it is hard to know what piece of software you have on your computer is going to talk behind your back with some unknown entity on the net.
Post #84,593 by drewk 2/27/03 9:00:05 AM Reply	Not really that hard Anyone who cares to can install a packet sniffer and decent firewall software. Then nothing phones home without your knowledge. === Implicitly condoning stupidity since 2001.
Post #84,723 by ben_tilly 2/27/03 8:08:06 PM Reply	But knowing about it ne knowing what was said "good ideas and bad code build communities, the other three combinations do not" - [link\|http://archives.real-time.com/pipermail/cocoon-devel/2000-October/003023.html\|Stefano Mazzocchi]
Post #84,837 by Steven A S 2/28/03 10:44:43 AM Reply	But with an application level firewall (BlackIce, ZoneAlarm, Sygate, etc) You can prevent it from saying anything. ~~~)-Steven---- "I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country..." General George S. Patton
Post #84,958 by ben_tilly 2/28/03 6:47:32 PM Reply	If the firewall works as it claims... I would expect that some of these firewalls can be bypassed or subverted... Cheers, Ben "good ideas and bad code build communities, the other three combinations do not" - [link\|http://archives.real-time.com/pipermail/cocoon-devel/2000-October/003023.html\|Stefano Mazzocchi]

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