[news] Hackers turn tables on file-swapping firms.

[Ryoko]

The record companies had their Napster, and the stream of file-swapping companies that followed. The file-swapping companies now have their "Dr. Damn."

For the past several weeks, the pseudonymous programmer, a college student who declines to give his real name, has been releasing versions of popular file-swapping programs online with the advertising and user-tracking features stripped out.

He's done Grokster and iMesh. And he's not alone. His work, now available through the Grokster and iMesh networks themselves, joins that of other programmers who have previously "cleaned" programs such as Kazaa and Audiogalaxy in a campaign against "adware" and "spyware."


"I've never been a big fan of large companies spying on their users," Dr. Damn wrote in an instant messenger interview. "Especially me."

The college student and his "Clean Clients" site form just one part of a growing backlash against the software now routinely bundled with free file trading programs. These piggyback software packages, which include Gator, Cydoor, and others, often track computer users' activity online to show them targeted advertisements. In Altnet's case, the add-on promises to turn users' computers into links in a new for-profit peer-to-peer network.

The "clean" software movement, which threatens to pinch off the stream of advertising and bundling revenues that supports free software, has put the file-swapping companies in an awkward position. For years, record companies and movie studios have complained that Napster, Kazaa, Morpheus and others were contributing to the theft of their intellectual property.

Now those same companies, seeking revenue to support their own businesses, are complaining that their intellectual property is being hijacked. In almost every case, the hacked version of their software is even being distributed through their own file-swapping networks.

All of the software companies require people to accept terms of service, which bar users from hacking into the software. These "click wrap"-style agreements have generally been upheld by courts, unless the terms are deemed unreasonable.

Kazaa's agreement, for example, states: "Except as expressly permitted in this License, you agree not to reverse engineer, de-compile, disassemble, alter, duplicate, modify, rent, lease, loan, sublicense, make copies, create derivative works from, distribute or provide others with the KaZaA Media Desktop Software in whole or part or transmit the application over a network."

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[BloodySabbath]

Hmm, Dr Damn on CNet... I hope his site stays up with all the extra traffic, its almost as bad as being /.'d

[MusicMan]

Dude, I was so pyched to see Dr. Damn on CNet.com, hackers like him, doing the work he does, deserve all the attention and glory they can get. If it weren't for them we'd still be using that crapola KaZaA with all it's spyware. But they have done some bad things, like forcing KaZaA into becoming a subscription service, that's gotta come back and bite ya!

[Roamerick]

Hmmm, not really. There are always alternatives, and im my opinion the Kazaa people always planned to go subscription-based. It's the standard pusher technique: Get the kids hooked for free, then start charging them.

Except it doesn't work if another dealer pops on your street corner with more free warez :black

[Foreverboard]

I cant wait for the new vesion. i am sure someone will hack it. If not Dr. Damn.

[peacefrog72633]

yeah dr damn

[Crazy Horse]

Hi Guys - I just hope Dr. Damn protects his anonymity. He has alot of corporate people looking at him now. This could be dangerous water for him now.

[psychotronic420]

Originally posted by Crazy Horse
Hi Guys - I just hope Dr. Damn protects his anonymity. He has alot of corporate people looking at him now. This could be dangerous water for him now.

I agree, wether you are into White hat or Black hat hacking once you go public it is only a matter of time before the powers that be descend upon you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
:cross

[JackSpratts]

Originally posted by Foreverboard
I cant wait for the new vesion. i am sure someone will hack it. If not Dr. Damn.

new xolox beta has been sent out. pm me w/your email address and i'll forward it. ads - but no spyware.

- js.

[Roamerick]

Yuo forgot to mention sweet as a button...