More M$ troubles, this time WMA

[alfredo]

Looks like Crackers can get access to to your computer through Windows Media.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1749993,00.asp


Security researchers have detected the appearance of two new Trojans, Trj/WmvDownloader.A and Trj/WmvDownloader.B, in video files circulating on P2P (peer-to-peer) networks.


According to Panda Software, both Trojans take advantage of the new Windows anti-piracy technology to trick users into downloading spyware and adware applications.


"When a user tries to play a protected Windows media file, this technology demands a valid license. If the license is not stored on the computer, the application will look for it on the Internet, so that the user can acquire it directly or buy it," Panda Software explained.

[RoyGBiv]

1. Speaking of ...

In previous versions of Media Player, thru 9, I knew how to keep it from "phoning home" on startup. This allowed me to set a rule in my Firewall so I could allow the player to access the Internet when I wanted it to, but kept it from doing so at other times.

With version 10, it phones home on each startup, no matter what I do, so I've had to set my firewall so it asks me for permission each time it starts.

Not a big deal, just not as convenient as before. Does anyone know how to keep version 10 from phoning home. (And, no, the option to tell it not to doesn't work. It does anyway. Checked it with a port browser.)

I use an open-source clone of media player for most things, but there's no browser integration, and it won't play newer .wmv files.

[alfredo]

2. I avoid using it.

I am a Real/QuickTime fan. I don't like the intrusiveness of M$ apps.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Avoiding it ...

I do when at all possible. I'm guess MS has made some sort of agreement with some company or companies, and I've found a few sites recently that only have .wmv streams, which is the only thing I will use it for.

And that's the problem. In order for ver 10 to work with the only thing I use it for, it has to have internet access permission, but if I give it access by default, it's all the time phoning home. I can give it temporary permission and it doesn't seem to do this.

Anyway, I'd prefer quicktime if they'd do something about their plug-in/free viewer. I hate the lack of ability to full-screen.

[alfredo]

4. There are free third party apps that will allow for

full screen display, otherwise you have to get QuickTime Pro for $29.95