Apple Disables PyMusique Hack

[MacRumors]

CNET reveals that Apple intends to stop users of the recently released hack PyMusique by now requiring users who wish to access the iTMS to be using version 4.7 of iTunes.

"The security hole in the iTunes Music Store which was recently exploited has been closed, and as a consequence the iTunes Music Store will now sell music only to customers using iTunes version 4.7," the company said in a statement.

According to CNET, users of PyMusique are still able to preview songs in the iTMS, but are no longer able to purchase music. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the company is considering legal action on the issue.

[aethier]

that was quick

[MP2]

I'm not surprised.

That seemed very fast of Apple to fix that poblem.

[Candyfingered]

Originally Posted by MP2

I'm not surprised.

That seemed very fast of Apple to fix that poblem.

Nice and quick. The way a company should respond to security problems.

[DavidLeblond]

Who saw THAT coming a mile away?

They didn't respond as quickly as I thought they would. Is there any reason for people to use below 4.7, I wonder? If so, sucks for them... they can thank DVD Jon.

[mcdermd]

Was there any doubt of a quick response from Apple?

[Zaty]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Who saw THAT coming a mile away?

They didn't respond as quickly as I thought they would. Is there any reason for people to use below 4.7, I wonder? If so, sucks for them... they can thank DVD Jon.

Some people just don't care about new versions. According to this article http://playlistmag.com/news/2005/03/...hole/index.php
15% of all iTunes users still use versions older than 4.7

[Porchland]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Who saw THAT coming a mile away?

They didn't respond as quickly as I thought they would. Is there any reason for people to use below 4.7, I wonder? If so, sucks for them... they can thank DVD Jon.

I wondered how aged a version of iTunes one could use and still be able to download from iTMS. If Apple has the technical ability and market-power ability to force iTMS purchasers to use the most recent version, that is a huge boost to the security of downloadable media.

This is the kind of thing Apple can show to financial analyst as a failsafe mechanism that is extremely effective in shutting down hacks and loopholes.

As Mac continues to grow its market share and as OS X becomes a more attractive target for hackers, I hope Apple will be able to expand required updating to OS X. I don't know that I want Apple requiring me to update every application to be able to use it at all, but it would be great for security issues.

[rikers_mailbox]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Who saw THAT coming a mile away?

So far away that Apple had ALREADY fixed it. It was just a matter of forcing people to use the latest version iTunes.

I'm impressed.

[LEgregius]

I'm a little upset, though, that Apple blocked out older versions of iTunes. That means that people who may have agreed to the old terms but didn't like the newer iTunes terms (7 cds but 5 computers), can now no longer buy music. It also forces an upgrade. It's fairly acceptable since the new terms really are better and the upgrade is free, but it still makes me sad since I would have ended up with no recourse if I accepted the old license but not the new one.

[DavidLeblond]

Originally Posted by LEgregius

I'm a little upset, though, that Apple blocked out older versions of iTunes. That means that people who may have agreed to the old terms but didn't like the newer iTunes terms (7 cds but 5 computers), can now no longer buy music. It also forces an upgrade. It's fairly acceptable since the new terms really are better and the upgrade is free, but it still makes me sad since I would have ended up with no recourse if I accepted the old license but not the new one.

Like I said, thank DVD Jon.

[Maestro64]

Originally Posted by LEgregius

I'm a little upset, though, that Apple blocked out older versions of iTunes. That means that people who may have agreed to the old terms but didn't like the newer iTunes terms (7 cds but 5 computers), can now no longer buy music. It also forces an upgrade. It's fairly acceptable since the new terms really are better and the upgrade is free, but it still makes me sad since I would have ended up with no recourse if I accepted the old license but not the new one.

Hmm, I have multiply versions of iTunes running on my computer depending on what I am trying to do. Since new versions of itunes disable various things like music sharing to all computer. I just use the older version to do what I want. Yes it is pain but as long as the still work.

[Stella]

Originally Posted by LEgregius

I'm a little upset, though, that Apple blocked out older versions of iTunes. That means that people who may have agreed to the old terms but didn't like the newer iTunes terms (7 cds but 5 computers), can now no longer buy music. It also forces an upgrade. It's fairly acceptable since the new terms really are better and the upgrade is free, but it still makes me sad since I would have ended up with no recourse if I accepted the old license but not the new one.

Well, if this is an effective fix for the problem, then so be it.. You know who to blame - no, not apple - DVD John.

He should do more useful things like hack WMA.

[tombeck]

Originally Posted by Candyfingered

Nice and quick. The way a company should respond to security problems.

Ha, no wonder. They want to protect their own interests.

[Amaranth]

I'm not sure what the motivations of Jon and Cody were but my main reason for coding PyMusique was being able to use the iTMS on Linux. The files coming without DRM was a nice side-effect. Yes, you still have to pay for the songs you download, don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise (I've been trying to squash this rumor).

-Travis Watkins

[Chaszmyr]

Originally Posted by aethier

that was quick

Think the lawsuit will come just as quickly?

[limulus]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Think the lawsuit will come just as quickly?

What grounds do they have to sue on?

[Chaszmyr]

Originally Posted by limulus

What grounds do they have to sue on?

I don't know, that's up to Apple Legal to decide. I'm sure they could come up with something if they felt it was necessary to do so.

[bankshot]

Aha, so that's why it asked me to upgrade before I could add something to my shopping cart from the PC. I only use the PC when I have to (like when the wife's using the Mac ) so I never bothered to upgrade it from iTunes 4.5. Then yesterday I had to, guess it was just as well that I finally got up to date there.

Well, good for Apple. While I don't like DRM, it's a compromise I'm willing to make for the convenience of digital downloads. Exploits such as this always run the risk of the record companies demanding more restrictive DRM or simply pulling out of the digital market entirely. Don't want that!

[bdkennedy1]

I love the legal notice "iTunes is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc." at the bottom of their web page to prevent from getting sued. GOD some people are just so blatently outright stupid I just want to slap and shake them. Why would someone create a program knowing they're going to get sued by Apple and spend all of their money defending themselves?

[~loserman~]

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

I love the legal notice "iTunes is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc." at the bottom of their web page to prevent from getting sued. GOD some people are just so blatently outright stupid I just want to slap and shake them. Why would someone create a program knowing they're going to get sued by Apple and spend all of their money defending themselves?

Maybe they are trying to turn Apple into the next SCO

[astrochess]

I think I know why Apple responded so quickly. It isn't just the surface problem of Apple's practically immaculate security reputation suddenly being besmirched. It's also the problem of having several hundred record companies jumping on Apple's back complaining of lost revenue.

On the reverse side, by giving such a quick response, Apple is improving relations with these companies by showing how important their opinions of Apple are.

[~Shard~]

I knew it wouldn't take Apple long to respond to this one...

[edPod]

Last weekend the iTunes Store service was down for two days over here in Holland. Very annoying if you want to authorize another computer!

Apple's DRM has nothing to do with security; it is just a smart way of vendor lock-in.

As long as you can buy CD's that can be ripped, DRM will do near to nothing to prevent piracy.

[d.perel]

I was hoping for this to quickly force out iTunes 4.8, but I guess that's not happening...Maybe iTunes 4.8 will come when 3rd party accessories for the iPod Shuffle arrive (as in Never! )