Hackers Tune In to Windows Media Player

Found on eWEEK on Monday, 10 January 2005
Browse Computer

Hackers are using the newest DRM technology in Microsoft's Windows Media Player to install spyware, adware, dialers and computer viruses on unsuspecting PC users.

According to Panda Software, both Trojans take advantage of the new Windows anti-piracy technology to trick users into downloading spyware and adware applications.

Ben Edelman, a Harvard University student who tracks and comments on the spyware scourge, also spotted the spyware-laden media files. In a research note, Edelman posted a demonstration of the exploits and warned that users with older versions of Windows will receive "confusing and misleading messages" regarding the DRM licenses.

"All told, the infection added 58 folders, 786 files and an incredible 11,915 registry entries to my test computer. Not one of these programs had showed me any license agreement, nor had I consented to their installation on my computer," he added.

Thanks MS! And by the way, this was a sarcastic comment. A good reason to avoid wmv files. WMP 6.4 works, and that's it; I don't want to upgrade all the time to a more and more bloated version, which basically only does the same.