By John Borland, 22 March 2005 08:35
NEWS Apple has closed a security hole that allowed an underground program to tap into its iTunes Music Store and purchase songs stripped of anti-piracy protections.
The PyMusique software, created by a trio of independent programmers online, emerged last week as a copy protection-free back door into the popular iTunes store. One of the creators was Jon Johansen, the Norwegian programmer responsible for releasing DVD-copying software in 1999 and known as 'DVD Jon'.
Apple released a statement yesterday saying the problem had been fixed, and that some iTunes customers would need to upgrade their software.
"The security hole in the iTunes Music Store which was recently exploited has been closed, and as a consequence the iTunes Music Store will now sell music only to customers using iTunes version 4.7," the company said in a statement.
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. SmartITGuy
What's next? Apple will only allow "Apple authorized" music to be uploaded into the iPod?
I still maintain that both Apple and Steve Jobs can bite me! Sooner or later, Steve Jobs WILL make Apple nose-dive.
And anyone that gets STUCK in Apple's little self perpetuating monopoly deserves what he/she has coming to them!
Apple is no better than Microsoft with it's predatory and monopolistic LOCK-IN technologies and licensing.
If I won an iPod in a contest, I wouldn't use it and I wouldn't sell it. I'd do the world a favour, and run over it with my car!
I still don't know what the big deal is with the iPod. It's an overpriced MP3 player. "EVERYONE" has a better and cheaper MP3 player!
2. anonymous
its wont help
DRM fails because the user has the key, the information and the decoding system bundled for him
and this site sucks with too many cookies
3. Jamie Bishop
SmartITGuy is absolutely correct and I would add that the iPod is about as stylish as a bar of carbolic soap, I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want such an over priced under featured poor performing pile of digital rubbish.
4. TJ Skywasher
Apple is one of the few companies that has jumped on the music download band wagon early on and become very successful at it. It was evident that someone would eventually become the market leader in music downloads. Rather Apple than Microsoft!!!
As for the iPod, what can I say! Much better than many other third party MP3 players, simple to use, an iconic design with an easy to use interface. Again, it was evident that someone had to become the market leader in the digital music player market. It seems that Steve Jobs had the forsight to cash in early and amaze the world with Apple's wonderful products.
Of course, becoming successful in any given market will lead to people trying to exploit the market leader and to try and be the first to topple them. They deserve everything they get. Apple have changed the way that people around the world can legally download music and I support them 100%.
Judging by the comments I have read so far I'm assuming that there are not many Apple fans about. But have you actually tried Apple's products? Downloaded music using iTunes? Transferred your downloaded tunes to an iPod? You'd be amazed at how simple and easy it is compared to the unsurprisingly problematic Windows and third party products!
5. anonymous
You're all a bunch of ill-informed PC zealots. GO use an iPod, you'll see it's vastly superior to your WMA playing POS.
If you wanna buy digital music, you're are getting ripped off no matter WHO you go with. Buy your music on CDs.
Realistically, people pay for hardware, they dont pay for software. The kids buy an iPod and download a load of MP3s onto it, wise up, the iPod is the best there is.
Don't like it? Build a better one or STFU.