The copy-protection that Sony install onto your computer without your knowledge (earlier described here) has now been exploited to allow viruses to avoid detection. According to BBC Online’s article:

“Now anti-virus companies have discovered three malicious programs that use XCP’s stealthy capabilities if they find it installed on a compromised PC…”

Here’s the release from Sophos, one of the security firms that found an exploiting virus. They also provide a tool to remove the virus and to disable the cloaking flaw that allows this exploit to occur.

To check if your PC may have had the rootkit installed, read this article from the EFF.

All the more reason to be very wary of Sony products. Though it probably won’t stop us getting a PS3 because it just looks so sexy!

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