microsoft drm question

[aaronzachary]

Hi! Could someone please explain to a newbie how it is a microsoft drm protected mp3 can trigger a message in media player directing to a pay site? Is there some sort of command built into the ID header? I recently downloaded a file on eDonkey, and when I tried to play it I got a popup directing me to a website. I'd like to try and get my head round how this is done.

Best thanks for taking the time to reply!

Az

[muskrat_love]

I got this straight off of Microsofts site.

How does Windows Media DRM work?

The basic Windows Media DRM process is as follows:

1. Packaging
Windows Media Rights Manager packages the digital media file. The packaged file has been encrypted and locked with a "key." This key is stored in an encrypted license, which is distributed separately. (This feature is unique to Windows Media Rights Manager.) Other information is added to the digital media file, such as the URL where the license can be acquired. This packaged digital media file is saved in Windows Media Audio format (file with a .wma file name extension) or Windows Media Video format (file with a .wmv file name extension).

2. Distribution
The packaged file can be placed on a Web site for download, placed on a digital media server for streaming, distributed on a CD, or e-mailed to consumers. Windows Media DRM permits consumers to send copy-protected digital media files to their friends as well.

3. Establishing a license server
The content provider chooses a license clearing house that stores the specific rights or rules of the license and implements the Windows Media Rights Manager License Service. The role of the clearing house is to authenticate the consumer's request for a license. Digital media files and licenses are distributed and stored separately, making it easier to manage the entire system.

4. License acquisition
To play a packaged digital media file, the consumer must first acquire a license key to unlock the file. The process of acquiring a license begins automatically when the consumer attempts to acquire the packaged digital media file, acquires a pre-delivered license, or plays the file for the first time. Windows Media Rights Manager either sends the consumer to a registration page where information is requested or payment is required, or "silently" retrieves a license from a clearing house.

5. Playing the digital media file
To play the digital media file, the consumer needs a player that supports Windows Media DRM. The consumer can then play the file according to the rules or rights that are included in the license. Licenses can have different rights, such as start times and dates, duration, and counted operations. For instance, default rights may allow the consumer to play the digital media file on a specific computer and copy the file to a portable device. Licenses, however, are not transferable. If a consumer sends a packaged digital media file to a friend, this friend must acquire her own license to play the digital media file. This PC-by-PC licensing scheme ensures that the packaged digital media file can only be played by the computer that has been granted the license key for that file

[aaronzachary]

Thanks for that, but I'd already seen it. Forgive me for being obtuse, but it doesn't actually tell me what it is that actually triggers the popup. I can get that the .wma formatting is responsible, but not what actually it is about .wma format - if you see what I mean!

Az
:green3

[muskrat_love]

Check out this page (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1176634,00.asp). I think this is what you need.

[aaronzachary]

Thanks for this!

Az

[Mels_Smileys45]

Watch out for this! Sometimes it can take you to a bad site that will try and add a trojan or spyware to your computer.

[MikeHunt]

http://www.zeropaid.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=295999#post295999

[Mels_Smileys45]

Good link MikeHunt. This trickery has been going on for some time and its about time they let people know about it. when this was brought up a long time ago, people said it was crazy. They said you couldn't get a virus like this. Bullshit. Now you know better. I need to dig up this old thread and laugh at some people.

[crackerjacker]

Good link MikeHunt. This trickery has been going on for some time and its about time they let people know about it. when this was brought up a long time ago, people said it was crazy. They said you couldn't get a virus like this. Bullshit. Now you know better. I need to dig up this old thread and laugh at some people.

but yeah we knew that u can embed viruses into just about anything.
depends on the type, script etc.
the way i see it if something is going to be called up from something else, then surely something can take control of it.
but to be quite honest its the way microsoft os is, vulnerable.
i remember that thread
do dig it up
cheers

[method]

Avoid DRM'd material by a mile...

People are getting spyware and viruses thanks to Microsoft's DRM (Degraded, Restrictive Media) system. To be honest... I personally think it serves everybody right for buying into the DRM bullshit.

Avoid DRM or get burnt... when will people learn???!

[Mels_Smileys45]

but yeah we knew that u can embed viruses into just about anything.
depends on the type, script etc.
the way i see it if something is going to be called up from something else, then surely something can take control of it.
but to be quite honest its the way microsoft os is, vulnerable.
i remember that thread
do dig it up
cheers

It may be deleted I can't find it. How do I go back further than 2003?

[Julian]

You cannot DRM an mp3, you are talking about WMA and the WMA headers provide the encrypted information that is then decyphered by windows media player. These headers tell windows media player how to proceed aka pop up the license acquisition dialog. Hope that helps.

[crackerjacker]

You cannot DRM an mp3, you are talking about WMA and the WMA headers provide the encrypted information that is then decyphered by windows media player. These headers tell windows media player how to proceed aka pop up the license acquisition dialog. Hope that helps.

great information, and detailed in a way i could not say it.
:)

[Julian]

CJ, you suck. :-)

[crackerjacker]

CJ, you suck. :-)

thats not what you said last night