98% of business PC users say DRM copy protection is security threat.

A web poll of more than 1,500 business PC users, conducted by Sophos, has revealed that 98% believe that Sony's controversial digital rights management (DRM) software, which can introduce a 'cloaking' vulnerability onto PCs which play some of its music CDs, is a security threat.

The news comes as Sony announces in the media that it is suspending production of any further CDs which contain the controversial technology. Only 20/9 of users polled on the Sophos website felt that it was a fair way to fight music pirates. Sony's technology caused concern after Trojan horses were discovered that exploited its functionality in an attempt to hide themselves from anti-vims products.

Any file with Ssys$ in its name is automatically cloaked by Sony's copy-protection code, making it mvisible on computers which have used CDs carrying Sony's software.

Business PC users have a very low opuuon of any code winch endangers the safety of their networks, and they have sent a loud and clear message to Sony and other companies that this kind of code is unacceptable to them.'

Sophos has issued a tool which will detect the existence of Sony's DRM copy-protection on Windows computers, disable its 'cloaking' function, and prevent that functionality from re-installing. The tool also detects versions of the Stinx Trojan horse which exploits the Sony vulnerability.

www.sophos.com