Vegas has hidden spyware and security holes?

Wes C. Attle wrote on 11/11/2005, 3:49 AM
With all the news of Sony software secretly installing malware, user tracking spyware, and opening security holes for viruses circulating around the Internet, I decided to read my Vegas and SoundForge license agreements and help files. Oddly, Sony does not even mention if any secret spyware or DRM/user tracking is installed or not.

Has anyone checked into this? I also sent a request to Sony Tech Support to give me a statement which clearly outlines whether or not such malware is installed wtih current Sony products Vegas, SoundForge, and Acid which I own. I know these apps do support copyright protection technologies which I think is fine, because I am not a pirate. But I do wonder just how deep the evil Sony software malware rabbit hole goes?

Comments

RexA wrote on 11/11/2005, 3:55 AM
It's good to be careful, but don't let paranoia own you.
craftech wrote on 11/11/2005, 5:37 AM
I think you probably have more to worry about with ADOBE software than you do with Vegas (so far). It doesn't appear to me that such a relatively small niche market as the Sonic Foundry division of Sony would benefit the company by using spyware.
ADOBE on the other hand has had it's ACROBAT software loaded with spyware since version 5. Check your temp files every time you load Acrobat Reader and see for yourself. ADOBE also has the most widely used photo editing software (Photoshop) as well.
Will Sony start using spyware in Vegas in the future? I can't say. But for now, I really don't think so.

John
TheHappyFriar wrote on 11/11/2005, 5:56 AM
you're getting paranoid. Have you checked the temp files on your DVD player? Sony installed software on all the DVD's they own (includes non-sony labeled DVD's, such as MGM) that can visually track you to see for "marketing" reasons.


pretty damn creepy IMHO.
riredale wrote on 11/11/2005, 9:12 AM
You could always download a freeware sniffer such as Rootkit Revealer. Check a system before an install and compare the results with those obtained after. I'd very extremely surprised if Vegas had secret files. Remember, it's Sony BMG (an entirely different group within a very large organization) that was paranoid about CD rips and which unwisely decided on an overkill solution.

On the other hand, I'm reminded of that phrase: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that someone's not out to get you."