Google Engineer Discovers Vulnerabilities In Ubisoft’s DRM System

July 31, 2012 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Downloads, Entertainment Industry, Movies, MP3, Digital Audio & Games 

Tavis Ormandy – engineer for Google – stumbled upon what seems to be a serious vulnerability in Ubisoft’s DRM system. After purchasing an Ubisoft game, he found out that its Uplay browser plugin may have some security issues as it allows remote and “wide access” to machines running the DRM.

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and is an essential tool against piracy as it lets developers to control who can copy, install and use their products. However, the DRM system often failed to work properly, thus leading to unwanted side-effects – cause of frustration for legitimate users.

According to Tavis Ormandy, the Uplay DRM system (developed and used by Ubisoft) can make things even worse:

“While on vacation recently I bought a video game called Assassin’s Creed Revelations. I didn’t have much of a chance to play it, but it seems fun so far,” he wrote on the Full Disclosure mailing list yesterday.

“However, I noticed the installation procedure creates a browser plugin for its accompanying Uplay launcher, which grants unexpectedly (at least to me) wide access to websites. I don’t know if it’s by design, but I thought I’d mention it here in case someone else wants to look into it.”

After a day he was back with an update:

“I got it working,” he said.

“I submitted it to Ubisoft via the online form.”

What we understand from this is that hackers can easily take advantage on this vulnerability as soon as they figure it out, opening doors for malicious software, keyloggers, bots, etc.

The list of games using Uplay DRM is extensive; some of the biggest names include the Assassins Creed series, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, Driver: San Francisco, Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic, and Tom Clancy games. A full list can be seen here.

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Judge In Charge With Kim’s Extradition Steps Down

July 31, 2012 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, File-Sharing Programs, Networks & Services, Legal P2P News & Issues 

Megaupload was shut down at the beginning of this year, making the news worldwide. Meanwhile, Kim Dotcom and his associates were released on bail, while the mastermind behind Megaupload also awaits the court’s decision in the extradition case.

From New Zealand Herald we find out that Judge David Harvey, who’s overseeing Kim’s extradition in the U.S., has stepped down. While the case was postponed until March 2013, Harvey expressed his opinion on the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), a trade agreement that aims to help with piracy issues.

One of the provisions within TPP focuses on DVDs region codes – a region code is what allows the media disk to work only in certain countries in order to prevent privacy.

As for Judge Harvey, he called U.S. “the enemy” when it comes to handling piracy matters overseas.

“Under TPP and the American Digital Millennium copyright provisions you will not be able to do that, that will be prohibited… if you do you will be a criminal – that’s what will happen,” the judge said.

“We have met the enemy and he is the U.S,” he concluded.

It was Harvey who reinstated Dotcom’s rights to use the internet based on his good behavior, and allowed him to pay a visit to a recording studio in order to finish his politically-oriented hip-hop album.
Who will be put in charge with the case and how will this whole story end we’re about to find out sooner or later. Meanwhile, stay tuned!

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How To Enhance Your Business Through File-Sharing

July 30, 2012 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Digital Media, Mobile Phones, P2P technology, Downloads, File-Sharing Programs, Networks & Services 

A business, whether it’s small or big, needs a lot of documentation. File-sharing can help you organize, document, and easily access all those files in just a matter of time. Here’s how.

As your business expands it is mandatory that you keep the ever growing paperwork at bay. To do that efficiently, you can take advantage on file-sharing software platforms that will help you keep all the important documents in one place. Here are just some of the features of an extensive business organization:

Notifications: Every time a new document is uploaded, modified or deleted, e-mail alters can inform about these changes. Furthermore, this will save time and effort with big projects, while also keeping you up to date with the last modifications on important documents.

Instant access: Finding exactly what you’re looking for has never been easier. Have access to your documents whenever and wherever you need.

Custom build: Most programs let you customize the filing system, while also integrating with other pieces of important software like the document management software.

Our next objective is to easily send out documents. The usual method is by e-mail, but what if you forget to attach the document or send the e-mail to a wrong address? KeepandShare.com says that “file sharing programs that have a simple interface make it easy to upload your files and then email a link to clients or coworkers – and they can download the file in just moments.”

You will benefit from real-time editing updates. Moreover, you can have the chance to choose which employee has access to certain information.

Bottom line is that the purchased file-sharing software can make a huge difference in your business. There are three things you should always remember: one is the benefit of a private server instead of a shared one; the second are the user accounts which make your and their job easier; last but probably the most important is the security issue – make sure you benefit from SSL logins, encrypted passwords, and so on.

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Top 10 Most Downloaded Movies on BitTorrent

July 30, 2012 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Downloads, Movies, MP3, Digital Audio & Games 


TorrentFreak has published the data they collected with the top 10 most shared movies on BitTorrent for the week ended July 30. All the films included in this chart are DVDrips (unless mentioned otherwise).

Lots of changes in this week’s chart -  ‘American Reunion’ takes the leading position once again, followed by The Dark Knight Rises – a new entry in the top; Raven occupies the third position.

This week’s list features two new entries.

The chart also includes download links for the movies listed here (where available) via Kat.ph.

Ranking (last week) Movie Rating / Trailer Download Movie
1 (2) American Reunion 7.1/trailer
2 (…) The Dark Knight Rises [CAM] 9.0/trailer
3 (3) The Raven 6.4/trailer
4 (5) Hijacked 1.4/trailer
5 (4) Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 6.5/trailer
6 (1) Wild Bill 7.2/trailer
7 (6) Project X 6.7/trailer
8 (8) 21 Jump Street 7.3/trailer
9 (…) Celebrity Sex Tape 2.5/trailer
10 (9) Wrath of the Titans 5.9/trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1231583/

Click here for top speed movie downloads

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American Deathcore Band Fights For Its Fans In File-Sharing Lawsuit

July 27, 2012 by · Comments Off
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Downloads, Legal P2P News & Issues, Movies, MP3, Digital Audio & Games 

All Shall Perish is an American deathcore band under the established metal label known as Nuclear Blast. News about its fans being sued for downloading the band’s albums (via BitTorrent) reached their ears and took them by surprise. As such, they’ve decided to speak with the label and drop the case.

No less than eighty metalheads were facing a fine of up to $150,000 after downloading All Shall Perish’s albums.

“ALL SHALL PERISH ISN’T SUING ANYONE, least of all our fans. No idea what this blog is talking about. WE AREN’T SUING ANYONE. We have no knowledge of any lawsuit. Our management and legal representation know nothing about it. Nobody from this blog contacted us to ask about it, either. We are looking into it and exploring our options,” the band posted on Facebook as soon as they found out about the lawsuit.

Last week Nuclear Blast announced:

“Nuclear Blast also respects bands such as All Shall Perish that do not wish to pursue file sharers. All Shall Perish was not consulted about this course of action and did not wish to participate in it whatsoever. When they learned about it, they immediately asked us to cease all legal action against their fans, file traders or otherwise, as soon as they learned this action had been taken in their name. Therefore Nuclear Blast and World Digital Rights decided recently to stop legal actions against the file sharing with songs from the band All Shall Perish.”

A full statement from the label was also posted. Here’s what it says:

Nuclear Blast and SKP Enforcement UG, who are experienced in tracking illegal downloads and the file sharing of music, recently decided to cooperate with World Digital Rights to fight against file sharing piracy in the USA. In the United States, the providers are obligated by law to hand out the IP addresses of the computers from which the downloads / file shares were generated. By collecting this information these companies are also acting in the interest of our artists, which is essential to the future of both our bands and the label.
To be able to recoup the investments both parties have made, is crucial in order to produce new music and to survive in this business. Nuclear Blast, SKP Enforcement, and World Digital Rights want people to be aware that the peer-to-peer file sharing is illegal and hurts the bands and record companies they love.
That said, Nuclear Blast also respects bands such as All Shall Perish that do not wish to pursue file sharers. All Shall Perish was not consulted about this course of action and did not wish to participate in it whatsoever. When they learned about it, they immediately asked us to cease all legal action against their fans, file traders or otherwise, as soon as they learned this action had been taken in their name. Therefore Nuclear Blast and World Digital Rights decided recently to stop legal actions against the file sharing with songs from the band All Shall Perish.
In all other cases, the parties involved pursue those violating copyright laws to avoid the financial loss they incur and to protect the value of their copyrights.
Nuclear Blast counts on the loyal fans which have been supporting the label and our bands for over 20 years now. Every sale helps support metal and the people that work hard to bring metal to the masses. For those that continue to buy music legally, that is something every loyal fan can be proud of.

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