Sporetrial and SecuRom

[virgali]

I just wanted to know if the Sporetrial has Securom on it since the FT patch had a newer version of it.
I'm really scared to run it tbh.

Thanx in advance.

[J. M. Pescado]

There doesn't appear to be a copy protection on it, but it IS spyware, as the firewall picked it up trying to phone home unsolicited. It looks like it it may also share your username with the entire world, which is extremely dangerous if you foolishly used your real name on your computer.

[Zazazu]

As far as I can tell, it is trying to phone to the Spore site to share creatures. At least, that's what it keeps crying to me about. I block everything from my firewall unless I'm specifically seeking 'net features.

[J. M. Pescado]

It's doing so by encrypted link, and it's doing so before you even try to login. That is very suspicious, particularly after it has been doing prolonged disk reading prior to startup.

[MaryH]

Holy shit, Pes-are you joking? The program is using the username to phone home? That is a very serious problem-because I think alot of people (myself included) use a form of their name on their computer...just think of the marketing implications of this-and what would happen should a hacker get into the main computers at EA...not even to be the stuff of nightmares!

[aphrodita]

Hmm, this one poster on the BBS believes they have found SecuROM on the demo. Here's what they write:

    I have scanned the file with the following result:

    "Scanning -> C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\SPORE\Sporebin\SporeCreatureCreator.exe
    File Type : Exe, Size : 17351944 (0108C508h) Byte(s)
    -> File Appears to be Digitally Signed @ Offset 0108B000h, size : 01508h / 05384 byte(s)
    -> Suspicious MZ Header..
    [!] SecuROM Detected - Version 07.36.0012
    [!] Possible CD/DVD-Key or Serial Check -> Unregistered
    - Scan Took : 1.140 Seconds"

As for the phoning home part - that's plain creepy! Wondering if they have unbreakable glass at the EA headquarters. Or cobblestone streets anywhere nearby.

[notveryawesome]

Am I the only one who doesn't remain connected to the internet when playing games, making sims, etc? Isn't it a generally good idea to disable stuff like antivirus software before playing games such as TS2 (I even disable my firewall, as I'm not online when I play TS2 or use Body Shop), which means that you should also disable your internet connexion, rather than go without antivirus protection? I understand that the creature creator isn't it a game, but it's still part of a game. If you're not connected to the internet when you run it, then it can't phone home.

[J. M. Pescado]

Am I the only one who doesn't remain connected to the internet when playing games, making sims, etc? Isn't it a generally good idea to disable stuff like antivirus software before playing games such as TS2 (I even disable my firewall, as I'm not online when I play TS2 or use Body Shop), which means that you should also disable your internet connexion, rather than go without antivirus protection? I understand that the creature creator isn't it a game, but it's still part of a game. If you're not connected to the internet when you run it, then it can't phone home.

This is untrue. The game CAN still manage to phone home even if you are not connected when you run it. In fact, I've written things that exploit this sort of behavior, by leaving a part of itself active even when you "quit", so that it can then lurk until you bring your Internet connection online, then phone home.

[notveryawesome]

Well, that's scary, isn't it? I feel so violated.

[virgali]

  wow! Now I'm very glad I posted my question. Didn't know it was this serious. I'm really dissapointed in everybody tha allowed this to happen to Spore and the Sims franchise.  I wonder if it makes any difference for pirated versions?

I know plenty of people don't endorse downloading pirated versions of the games to avoid all this Copyprotection of Doom nonesense to harm ones machine but I'd really like to know if it actually makes any difference.

I'd also like to know if Securom ships with mac versions of the Sims games and Spore? Does it have the same effect on macs as pcs?

[ElfPuddle]

So things can get through a connection while you aren't running the internet.
They can get through when you disable your cable internet connection? How? (I don't need the details, just a layman explanation.)

[J. M. Pescado]

So things can get through a connection while you aren't running the internet.
They can get through when you disable your cable internet connection? How? (I don't need the details, just a layman explanation.)

Basically, the program queues a task to phone home the moment Internet connectivity is restored, which can be long after you have closed the program. If your computer *EVER* uses the Internet AGAIN after that, you may be vulnerable to this attack. Even if you have a firewall, it may be possible for the program to use "authorized" programs to piggyback out, such as you web browser or your email client. Which is why email should always be strictly serverside. Outlook Not So Good!

[ElfPuddle]

Thanks, Pes.

I always disable my connection if I'm not using the internet (whether or not I'm playing games). I'll remember this.

[Kraken]

SecuROM is definitely on the Creature Creator.  My Kaperskey caught it I denied it anything and it slunk off with a rather large tantrum (that I didn't read).  Its the cmdLineext.dll I haven't found any other folder yet that has the flag secuROM so yeah if your launching the program then you will probably have this dll on your computer unless of course you've managed to get a hold of a "doctored" version.

Mine is now deleted but will probably come back if I launch the program again...its a persistent little bugger.

[Zazazu]

Kraken, what source did you get your from?

[Kraken]

I was a "good" girl and tried to get mine from the official site but the bloody thing must have been overloaded, so in the end I snaffled the trial via newsgroup.  So that's probably why.  As I said, if you managed to get the "doctored" version then you should be fine providing of course there is one!  Kotaku's site might have had the secuROM removed but I can't be sure and it wasn't around long enough to find out.

While I'm actually posting...Zazazu have you written a second chapter to "Dark Side of The Moon"?  I really enjoyed the first one but can't find any sequel.

[seelindarun]

I'd also like to know if Securom ships with mac versions of the Sims games and Spore? Does it have the same effect on macs as pcs?

As of BV, it appears that Aspyr doesn't ship Securom with TS2.  Or if they do, it's incredibly benign because no one has managed to capture evidence of it.  Securom has been available for OSX for a long time, like years apparently, so I honestly don't know what goes into the decision to include it or not.  One factor may be that piracy of mac games isn't as widespread; it takes months after release to find a torrent and except for a handful of very popular games, it's hard to find a good torrent even then.

Also, let's face it: mac games are such a miniscule fraction of game sales, how much are you really losing if a few players pirate a couple dozen copies?  Obviously up to now, EA hasn't believed there's any profit in it, else they would have done the port themselves.

But for Spore and the future, no one knows.  EA, in their predictable greed, may very well take over the mac versions if they believe the mac gaming market will expand.

[Zazazu]

While I'm actually posting...Zazazu have you written a second chapter to "Dark Side of The Moon"?  I really enjoyed the first one but can't find any sequel.

I had one in progress, but the Apoc challenge can never hold my attention. 'Hood is now deleted and not backed up. I have issues keeping with one 'hood or story line for awhile. Notice that Prospect Beach is abandoned, and while I'm playing Teardrop Isle, I haven't been writing it up.

[Kraken]

That's a shame you really had me intrigued with that strange new planet theme.  Certainly a different take on the Apocalyse.

I like most Science Fiction which is probably why I was rather interested in Spore until bloody secuROM in its new form was to be sneaked into it.   That they've included secuROM in the demo of the creature tool rather annoys but I shouldn't be surprised since they intend to charge for the full program!

[Friendo]

Well, that's scary, isn't it? I feel so violated.

I feel like calling my lawyer.

You could actually file a lawsuit against them due to the fact that they do not inform you of SecuROM's existence on their site when you buy it (given the fact it's basically a form of malware). Couple of people have threatened EA and Maxis with lawsuits over this issue...

I downloaded the trial version. Haven't actually bought Creature Creator, and now I'm not going to. Piracy wins epically in this case, and I hope EA loses a ****load on SPORE with this crap.

SecuROM should be illegal. If only these people would pay attention to the complaints made by users, like Ubisoft did with Starforce and Silent Hunter III.

[Solowren]

I miss the good ol' days of SafeDisc.

[notveryawesome]

Don't we all. *patpats Solowren*

[Zazazu]

Good news is, the ARR'ed version is stripped as far as I can tell.  One more reason why increasing numbers of fans will be going to pirating.

[Lorelei]

SecuROM has weasled its way onto my computer, probably from a Sims 2 SP. While tracking down the item that is (or itemS that ARE) farkling my WinXP laptop, SecuROM was found and ID'd as a rootkit. Note that I never installed BV, and only have EPs up to SEAS.

It is interfering with my CD/DVD Media Center OS-installed capabilities and farkling my anti-virus program, Avast. Jolly!

Even without installing BV, a previous EP/SP had SecuROM lurking within, even if it was a less aggressive version.

I find this completely unacceptable. I'd already vowed not to give EA one thin dime once the SecuROM fiasco erupted, and not to install known infected games, but this just pisses me off no end.

In the meantime, I'm stuck using old tech while the XP is being de-crapinated, and it is cutting into my thesis prep time. If there's ever a class action suit, count me in. Stupid EA.

ETA: Also, "ARRRRRR!" Fewer reasons NOT to, at this point. SRSLY.

[Friendo]

ARGH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsJyfN0ICU