Spore DRM also contains RootKit/Malware

Armadillo of Doom

Group Founder, Lover of Pie
aa
Oct 25, 2007
949
1,228
This was just brought to my attention today. As part of the DRM (digital rights management) software, SecureROM also contains a rootkit. Upon installation, it will permanently disable any virtual drives, and prevent mounting programs like Alcohol 120 and Daemon Tools from running. It does in fact alter system processes as well, decreasing performance to around 80% of normal. System restore is vulnerable to this, which means the only alternative is a full reformat. The 3 install limit I could handle. I've got 1 machine, and I'm not changing it any time soon. But this... I'm just kinda sad right now :(
 

Apex_

L3: Member
Jan 23, 2008
122
14
Sounds a lot like Starforce...*shudder*

Woe is the day the consumer has to hack his own purchased copy to prevent irreparable damage to his PC from a legitimate piece of software. Shame on any company who writes policies that assume their customers are criminals by default.

On a sidenote, user creations for the game can be shared and manually installed since they're all PNG files. If I remember right one of the file mirror sites like Filefront made a big pack of user submissions and released it. So much for pirate copies not getting content from other users, huh?
 

lerlerson

L2: Junior Member
Nov 27, 2007
75
7
Whoever told you that lied. I just used Daemon Tools earlier, with Spore even running in the background, so... yeah.
 

Armadillo of Doom

Group Founder, Lover of Pie
aa
Oct 25, 2007
949
1,228
Perhaps I should mention that everyone gets effected differently. There are instances of dvd drive malfunction and IE not working. For your reading enjoyment;
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/09/10/spore-seeds-rootkit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7604405.stm
http://blogs.ft.com/techblog/2008/09/spore-hit-by-drm-protest/

And if that's not enough, it says so right on the freaking faq; http://www.securom.com/support_faq.asp
Installs itself w/out permission and grants administrative access to the system.
 

Apex_

L3: Member
Jan 23, 2008
122
14
That sounds a heck of a lot like Starforce actually, which frightens me.

That BBC link quotes an EA spokesperson comparing their DRM to that of digital music services limiting your ability to copy music to multiple systems. Congrats, you just compared your broken copy protection scheme to an equally broken and criticized copy protection scheme, and moreover one that's being quickly driven out of favor and/or business by angry consumers.
 

Snipergen

L13: Stunning Member
Nov 16, 2007
1,051
150
IF you are serious about this, than I'm happy I didn't buy the game yet (TERRIBLE weather). And if this is true, I won't buy it either. I even need daemon tools for my school to install legal software we put on the server.
 

LLamaBoy

L1: Registered
Aug 30, 2008
17
0
Having seen previews of this game, I was kinda hyped about it, and was semi-convinced that I was going to buy it, even if I didn't really get into any of Will Wright's later games i.e. Sims 1 & 2.

But having heard the responses from other gamers, combined with all the largely unnecessary DRM measures that essentially punish the people who buy the game instead of anyone who cracks it, I probably won't even bother looking at it now. A shame indeed.

Also, quoted from the Inquirer article:
The existence of SecuROM is omitted from the game’s EULA if it’s been purchased on-line and downloaded, because:

“We don't disclose specifically which copy protection or digital rights management system we use --in this case, SecuROM -- because EA typically uses one license agreement for all of its downloadable games, and different EA downloadable games may use different copy protection and digital rights management.”

If you’ve purchased the box you simply don’t get an EULA, says the SecuROM FAQ at Spore Customer Help.
I hope I'm not the only one that finds this not only ridiculous, but actually quite immoral.
Adding copy protection is one thing, but masking it's existence when it can potentially damage your system? Surely a line has been crossed.
 

Ida

deer
aa
Jan 6, 2008
2,289
1,372
What? This is simply ridiculous. I'd laugh at how hilariously stupid this seems, if it wasn't for the fact that this is incredibly sad at the same time.
 

TheDarkerSideofYourShadow

L10: Glamorous Member
Apr 12, 2008
792
286
http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/9/

Also, click the link at the bottom that takes you to the news.

And I agree with Shmitz, EA is horrible when it comes to ethics (hey, maybe they should get into politics).

However, I haven't had any issues with ISO readers since I installed Mass Effect. I have Daemon Lite as well as PowerISO.
 

TheBladeRoden

L420: High Member
Oct 26, 2007
491
168
Heh, I liked the last line, which is unusual for a PA comic.

Shame that Spore keep sounding less and less enticing to buy.
 
T

The Asylum

Wasn't there also a shitstorm awhile back with Battlefield 2141 coming loaded with Spyware for in-game ads?

I seriously wonder how EA is still afloat.
 

Shmitz

Old Hat
aa
Nov 12, 2007
1,128
746
Reading the details, it doesn't look like a big-time backing down. Looks more like a clever twist of words to make people think it's ok while still leaving in potentially harmful DRM.

That's small news though compared to this.

I think it's reached a point where I can no longer conveniently ignore the link between Maxis and EA. EA's shadow has gotten big enough that even Maxis games aren't worth it if it means lining the pockets of EA execs. Spore will be the last EA game I ever buy. Sorry Warhammer, it's just not meant to be.
 

grazr

Old Man Mutant Ninja Turtle
aa
Mar 4, 2008
5,441
3,814
A lot of interesting topics..

I liked this quote the best.
Melekahn said:
Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out > Zoom In > Zoom Out etc etc etc etc...

My god I am wearing out my mouse wheel.

I didn't think they had a forum..