BioShock Activation Not Permanent

[Anach]

Given the internets and what they are -- with their tubes and all -- I want to sort of talk about the concerns people have. We take the concerns people have very seriously. There's been some concern like, "What happens if it's three years from now, or ten years from now, when I want to play this game. And, you know, Irrational Games has been hit by a meteor?" We will unset the online activation at some point in the future -- we're not talking about when. If people have concern about that they shouldn't be worried about that. This activation is for the early period of the game when it's really hot and there are people really trying to find ways to play the game without buying it. Of course, there are a lot of people who are legitimately trying to play it. We're not trying to be Draconian, we're trying to find a balance.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/joyst ... and-harve/

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 1&Itemid=2


BioShock Installs a Rootkit

An anonymous reader writes
"Sony (the owner of SecureROM copy protection) is still up to its old tricks. One would think that they would have learned their lesson after the music CD DRM fiasco, which cost them millions. However, they have now started infesting PC gaming with their invasive DRM. Facts have surfaced that show that the recently released PC game BioShock installs a rootkit, which embeds itself into Explorer, as part of its SecureROM copy-protection scheme. Not only that, but just installing the demo infects your system with the rootkit. This begs the question: Since when did demos need copy protection?"

http://www.gamingbob.com/2007/08/23/bio ... ding-demo/

[gelfling]

I appreciate a gaming company's need for copy protection so online activation doesn't bother me too much.

The inclusion of a root kit is a deal breaker for me. If this is true then shame on them.

[Toucan]

*puts on computer dunces hat*
what does a root kit do thats so evil?

[Anach]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit

[gelfling]

Just the merest glance at their official forum is enough proof. Shame on them indeed.

Touc, a rootkit is malware. It is installed on your computer without your permission and Sony rightfully got into trouble for including it on their CDs. You may find this article of interest: http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovic ... o-far.aspx

One definition states:

A rootkit is a set of programs and code that allows a permanent or consistent, undetectable presence on a computer.

You can read more on that in another Mark Russinovich's article:
http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovic ... tware.aspx

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit says:

A rootkit is a general description of a set of programs which work to subvert control of an operating system from it's legitimate operators. Usually, a rootkit will obscure its installation and attempt to prevent it's removal through a subversion of standard system security. Techniques used to accomplish this can include concealing running processes, files or system data from the operating system.[1] Rootkits have their origin in benign applications, but in recent years have been used increasingly by malware to help intruders maintain access to systems while avoiding detection. Rootkits exist for a variety of operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X[2] [3] , Linux and Solaris. Rootkits often modify parts of the operating system or install themselves as drivers or kernel modules.

Some technical information including a root kit detection tool can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysint ... ealer.mspx

[Anach]