The Cop-In-The-Box

Windows Vi$ta DRM (Digital Rights Management) they call AACS (Advanced Access Content System) sounds benign enough, but its NOT. The new "service" is so thoroughly woven into the fabric of Vi$ta and all Vi$ta compatible hardware that you can not turn it off. The system, while stealing valuable processor time, resources, and performance looks over your shoulder to make SURE you are not violating any Digital Millennium Copyright Laws.

What's important (besides the working-in-glue feeling that it brings to the user experience) is without your permission Microsoft, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) have tag-teamed your computer, and treat you as guilty of piracy until you prove yourself innocent. Should the software make a mistake, your video screen, audio outputs, CD, or DVD Drives may be restricted, in some cases permanently DISABLED and there is absolutely NOTHING you can do to prevent it.

On the TWiT network you will find video from the popular Security Now! show where they discuss the Cop-in-the-Box:

Vista DRM revealed and condemned.
Peter Gutmann on Vista DRM or review Peter Gutmann's Paper here
Microsoft Responds
Microsoft on Vista DRM

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Shameless Plug for TWiT's Security Now!

Steve Gibson* with faithful sidekick Leo Laporte help you, the normal human being, actually understand computer security and all it's ins and outs.

Steve answers listener mail every 4th episode. The questions and answers are all very informative!

If you want to know Computer Security, you MUST listen (and read along if you want**) to Security Now! on the TWiT netcast network. Just ONE of the family of First Class Tech Media offerings at TWiT

Start at the beginning and work your way through all 80+ episodes. You will be AMAZED how much you'll learn and how much safer your computer will be. You'd pay a fortune to learn this stuff in a tech school!

And if you have a hard drive problem, Steve Gibson's SpinRite 6 IS THE Tool you need to save your bacon! Steve ROCKS!

*Steve Gibson is the creator of ShieldsUP and SpinRite (and a TWiT regular).
** - every episode's Transcript is posted on the site.

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