Hacker Cracks Google Video Security
Date: June 30, 2005Source: Computer Crime Research Center
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The Norwegian who became a hacker hero for developing software to crack DVD encryption has posted a programme to break the lock on Google’s new video viewer.
Jon Lech Johansen’s latest programme was posted on his “So sue me” website yesterday. That was just one day after Google, the internet-leading search engine, launched free software allowing users to watch videos.
However, the company modified Google Video Player, which uses the VLC multimedia player programme, to only play videos hosted on the Mountain View, California-based company’s own servers.
The 21-year-old Johansen, also known as DVD-Jon, posted a small “patch” programme on his home page that modifies Google’s programme, allowing it to play videos hosted on any server.
Google’s shares have more than tripled to over £170 in the 10 months since their debut. Most of the company’s income is from online advertising, although it could boost revenues by charging for some videos in the future.
The company has been stockpiling amateur and professional videos since April, when it asked users to submit their images, and the new viewer allows them to sample the collection for free.
Johansen became a hero to hackers at age 15, when he posted software to unlock the codes the film industry used on DVD movies to prevent illegal copying. He was charged in Norway with data break-ins, but was acquitted twice.
The Norwegian, an open source advocate, has also repeatedly posted programmes that circumvent Apple iTunes’ music copy-protection technologies this year.
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| 2007-04-07 09:12:06 - i need to see few things keith |
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