Sony's "root kit" is by no means a new story at this point. However, the mainstream media's response is and the response keeps getting worse.

... some of Sony-BMG's music CDs install antipiracy software that uses methods typically used by hackers and virus writers to hide malicious programs and prevent users from uninstalling them.

However, Sony does offer a method of removing the viral software.

There is a tortuous way to uninstall the software, Mr. Russinovich said, but it involves contacting Sony-BMG directly via a Web form to request it be removed. Sony-BMG then interviews the user about the reasons for wanting the software removed, and, if Sony is satisfied with the answer, the user is directed to a website that installs an ActiveX program into Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which in turn reports the version of the installed rootkit back to First4Internet. Then First4Internet sends an e-mail containing a link to another site, which installs something else yet again on the user's computer that uninstalls the Sony program.

Want to cheat in your online game and not get caught? Just buy a Sony BMG copy protected CD.

Paul Phillips comments on the criminal nature of the hack