To return to the rootkit issue, that has nothing to do with surfing but with the consequences of putting a CD or DVD (such as one of Sony's) into your computer's disc drive.
according to
stagger's interesting link, Sony held the opinion that it wasn't malware? The only thing they did wrong was cloaking the underlying legitimate software? Excuse me, but anything that loads itself into my computer and changes the registry without my permission is malware by definition. Its also an invasion of privacy and, since it reports back to HQ with information gleaned from my machine, its a violation of the Data Protection Act and, like copying one of their CDs, in some states it may even constitute a criminal offence.
I shall be writing to Sony through my lawyer (my daughter actually) to ask for a copy of all the data that they hold on file concerning me. I recommend that if we all do the same it should give them something useful to do, instead of buggering up our computers.
P.S. If you use her, it would earn a few useful dollars for my daughter too.
