SecuROM - should you really be worried...doesn't look like it.

[Lt_Kirby]

After hearing about SecuROM and the effects that it apparantly had on some peoples computers, I decided it was best to cancel my pre-order, however after contacting SecuROM in an attempt to hear information straight from the horses mouth and find out what the program was really about, and quoted is the reponse they gave me to my questions.

Hello.

Thank you for your e-mail.

We are aware of the noise around SecuROM which is based on many wrong rumor
spreading the net. Please take a look at our FAQ website where we explain lots
of SecuROM related topics: http://faq.securom.com

Your questions:
Does SecuRom concentrate souly on the game?
A: SecuROM authenticates the original disc and / or serial number.
During startup of a SecuROM protected application checks for _running_
debuggers and emulation tools are performed.

Does SecuRom look at internet browser history?
A: No

Does SecuRom log key strokes?
A: No

Does SecuRom look at the different programs you have on your computer and
report those back to anyone?
A: No, SecuROM does not connect to the internet except for the online
activation (the transferred data are the serial number and unlock request
code).

I've heard of SecuRom creating a vast aray of problems - noticably with the
SecuRom that came with Spore, are these problems fixed?
A: Please provide more details about the "array of problems".

Is it easy to remove SecuRom completely from your computer, and if so, how?
A: Yes, please look at: https://support.securom.com/removaltool

Does SecuRom look at files you have and report those?
A: No, again: SecuROM does not connect to the internet except for the online
activation (the transferred data are the serial number and unlock request
code).

If it does look at your files, how will it know the difference between legally

obtained files or software and illegally obtained files or software?
A: see above

Is there any way, or are there any plans to make SecuRom less invassive and
instead just have it focus on stopping people copying the game, as it is
designed to.
A: SecuROM is and was always developed to ensure maximum security as well as
compatibility.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Best regards,

SecuROM Support Team
SecuROM on the web: http://www.securom.com
or via e-mail: support@securom.com

Now as you may have noticed, they havn't actually yet answered the question regarding the various problems I have heard about, but I have e-mailed them again, and with any luck I should hear again from them by this time tomorrow and will of course post the response on to this thread.

P.S. and if you are wondering...I have infact now re-pre-ordered my Sims 3 Collectors Edition

[Lt_Kirby]

Below is a list of questions some may find useful that I have carefully selected from SecuROM's own FAQ section which some of you may find useful:

1.1 What is SecuROM™?

SecuROM™ is a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system for content distributed via CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or electronically. It was developed and is maintained by Sony DADC Austria.
1.2 How does SecuROM™ work?

SecuROM™ uses two components for disc-based copy control:
1) Software, in the form of strong encryption, and
2) Hardware, in the form of a special signature applied to the disc during manufacturing. The protected executable of a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM title is tied to the signature on the disc by an authentication routine executed at program launch (this can be customized as described under item 6.3 below). If the original disc is detected, the program launches properly. If an illegally copied disc is detected in the local disc drive, the program will not launch and the end-user will receive an error message.

SecuROM™ Product Activation (DRM for online activation and digital distribution) works in much the same way. The application is protected with strong encryption and an authentication license is placed on the end user’s machine via an online activation. If the authentication license is detected on the enduser’s machine, the program launches properly.
SecuROM™ technology suppresses CD-ROM to CD-R copying, DVD-ROM to DVD-R copying, Internet image distribution, and professional piracy.
SecuROM™ offers many different configurations, including different distribution options (on disc or digital download) and different authentication methods (original disc check, online authentication, control of usage rights, etc.).
1.3 Who benefits from using SecuROM™?

Any software developer or publisher who has content subject to illegitimate copying can benefit from the use of SecuROM™ copy control.
2.3 Does SecuROM™ install a driver or any other software at the kernel level ("Ring 0") of my PC?

No, SecuROM™ does not install any components or perform any processes at the kernel or ring 0 level. All SecuROM™ components and processes occur at ring 3, the normal application level.
2.4 Is SecuROM™ harming my computer?

No, SecuROM™ does not damage a computer in any way. Great care has been taken to make sure the SecuROM™ system is sound and compatible.
2.5 Does SecuROM™ decrease the performance of my PC?

No,SecuROM™ does not influence PC performance. SecuROM™ is a library integrated into the protected application, and recent versions of SecuROM™ do not contain any stand alone applications.
Some older versions of SecuROM™ install the “User Access Service”, which allows a user to share DRM licenses among multiple Operating System user accounts. The User Access Service consumes very little memory (a few hundred kBytes) and virtually no CPU power. This service does not cause a performance decrease.
2.6 Does SecuROM™ change settings in my anti-virus program?

No, SecuROM™ makes no setting changes to any anti-virus program(s), or any software for that matter.
2.7 Does SecuROM™ change settings in my firewall?

No, SecuROM™ makes no setting changes to any firewall program(s), or any software for that matter.
If a SecuROM™ protected application is configured to require an online authentication, firewalls will notice this process and will inform the user that an internet connection is being requested.
Such standard firewall messages do not mean that SecuROM™ is opening a network port on the user’s PC for incoming network connections.
2.9 Can the installation of SecuROM™ disable my burning or emulation programs?

No, SecuROM™ does not automatically disable any burning or emulation programs. Since some emulation programs can be used to circumvent SecuROM™, it may be necessary for the user to manually disable such programs before a software title protected with SecuROM™ can be successfully launched.
2.10 Does SecuROM™ disable any other application?

No, SecuROM™ will never disable any application. It does, however, look for applications which can be used for malicious or hacking purposes. If it identifies such applications on the PC, it will be necessary for the user to disable them before using the product protected by SecuROM™.
3.2 How do I remove SecuROM™ from my machine?

To remove SecuROM™ related files please visit https://support.securom.com/removaltool/

[Lt_Kirby]

**reserved**

[Lt_Kirby]

*reserved***

[Dominochick3]

What I am more concerned with is why does it have to be so difficult to uninstall in the first place? If they were looking to make a customer friendly product they would have made it easy to uninstall.

Securom also vialates customer rights, by not telling either its installed on your computer or not. The computer being your property. If securom is so safe and 'innocent' why didnt they allow costumers to be aware of its presense in the first place? And provide a well written ' I agree or disagree' Contract before the game is installed?

Also by EA not telling their customers they were paying for DRM and it would be installed. EA had labelled all of their customers as criminals. Not a good start for a maintaining good consumer relationships on their part.

Securom also, in the process of it being on your computer without you knowing, it reacted to badly to the majority of peoples computer systems, causing them to have to relplace their motherboards, costing them ALOT of cash. Which is why EA currently has a few court cases under its belt.

Had EA told their costumers about this program before had, maybe there wudnt be so much damage as people would have been aware of it.

Edit: There is no use listing all of this stuff. Because whether Securom can justify itself or not. The main thing is that it was installed into customers property without their consent - making it SPYware.

In my mind, if it was so innocent and only did what you have listed above. Why does EA feel that their customers dont need to know about it? Especially since so many peoples computers reacted so badly?
Ask yourself that. They have just basically violated their customers consumer rights.

If people didnt have anything to worry about. I dont think so many respectable lawyers would be filing court cases for their cilents to the surpreme court.

[GamingBOB]

I think I was one of the original anti-SecuRom gamers back when BioShock was released. I still don't like the fact that EA installs SecuRom on your computer when there is no easy method of uninstalling it. In order to uninstall it requires a lot more computer know-how than most people have. In addition, they don't even let you know that SecuRom is being installed on your computer. In most cases you have to reformat your hard drive just to get rid of it. I also don't believe SecuRom prevents pirates from downloading and playing games. It is all just a waste of time and money.

[Lt_Kirby]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the way in which EA and SecuROM have gone about it all, and I totally disagree with the fact that you don't get a notification informing you that it will be installed...but as for agreeing to it, they should offer that and if a player doesnt want to accept then installation should be cancelled.

I agree with the majority with what both Dom and GamingBob say. On the other hand however, I think that the damage caused by SecuROM in regard to hard drive damage etc, has been drastically over-blown. Don't get me wrong, I still think there was a massive number of people effected, but I think its not quite as wide spread as people are saying - i.e. from the Chinese whispers effect etc.

As it goes for uninstalling the game, https://support.securom.com/removaltool/ is the apparant link that will guide you through uninstalling it and with a few minutes surfing on Google, a few guides can be found providing the "know-how" of how to uninstall it using several methods (one of which I saw somewhere was using command prompt).

As it goes for the lawsuits being brought against EA and SecuROM, all I can say is I totally understand why they have been brought against SecuROM as tbh they have been just a lil bit naughty lol...and also I am suprised they are still using SecuROM especially as it has been proved that it only takes our beloved game Pirates 3-5 days to solve it and then they laugh about it, make it available for download in any case, leaving honest schmucks like us still suffering...

Basically, I'm sure there are going to be A LOT of angry or frustrated comments coming my way, but I'm not defending SecuROM in anyway, I am simply acting as a messenger.

Please still love me lol.
xxx

[IWY17]

Youasked about the problems it migh cause on the computer and they did no tell you anything.
Even if seurom does not spy on your other files - whih I for some reason doubt - there is no notice during the instalation that a program like this will be installed on your omputer. THIS ist why its so abhored.
And about the damage: my new hardisk on my new computer where I had no programs but all of the sims game I own installed was totally damaged 3 days after I installed bon voyage and all games upwards (which as far as I know have secuRom)
Not to mention how complicated it is to get rid of this thing!

[Amgel]

Okay, I read the first post of the email answers you got back, but then i started reading the second post, gave up, because theres no-point. ill never understand it so my question - is securom a product of the devil , or will it just insure the disks cant be copied? Please can someone answer me this in a dumbed down way, for people like me who dont understand *** all this technical stuff means.

Also if it doesnt keep connecting to the internet (if i understood THAT right) will i need to keep the internet on my laptop after ive installed sims 3 for the first time?

Thankyou Very much!

[Amgel]

A few more questions after briefly reading everyone elses posts:

1)What the eff is spyware?

2)And how do i know if my pc has it?

3)Does it come with other things you download?

4)Will norton 360 protect me against it?

5)I didnt know you could even download pirate pc games! And like you said why should loyal customers suffer?

6)Why on my post above has it censored the word 'what'? (I maybe made a spelling mistake but i dunno what the bloody mistake was)

[The Doctor76]

Originally Posted by GamingBOB

I think I was one of the original anti-SecuRom gamers back when BioShock was released. I still don't like the fact that EA installs SecuRom on your computer when there is no easy method of uninstalling it. In order to uninstall it requires a lot more computer know-how than most people have. In addition, they don't even let you know that SecuRom is being installed on your computer. In most cases you have to reformat your hard drive just to get rid of it. I also don't believe SecuRom prevents pirates from downloading and playing games. It is all just a waste of time and money.

It is a waste of time and money and it only has any effect on legitimate paying customers. But it doesn't appear to harm your system: loads of my games have it and my system's fine...

A few more questions after briefly reading everyone elses posts:

1)What the eff is spyware?

2)And how do i know if my pc has it?

3)Does it come with other things you download?

4)Will norton 360 protect me against it?

5)I didnt know you could even download pirate pc games! And like you said why should loyal customers suffer?

6)Why on my post above has it censored the word 'what'? (I maybe made a spelling mistake but i dunno what the bloody mistake was)

Q1: Spyware is software that is downloaded onto your PC when you visit some sites (or it can come with files that you download). It slows down your PC and it monitors what sites you visit as well. In the worst case scenario, it can wait until it finds a credit card number or such like and 'report back to base' with it: don't ever have important financial details on your actual system. It is best gotten rid of as soon as possible.

Q2: If your PC has it, it will slow down noticeably and you'll probably get advert popups more than would seem normal.

Q3: That's how it usually gets onto your system first. I have a policy of d/l all files to a USB drive first, where they're scanned. If nothing is found on them, they go to the main download folder on my PC. If something is found, then: Hasta la Vista, baby!

Q4: No, Norton is an Anti-virus software, not a good one either: have a search round, people mostly have bad things to say about Norton, not least that it slows your PC down. You need an antispyware package as well.

Myself, I have: AVG 8.0 - it includes Anti-virus and anti-spyware.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware 2008
Windows Defender.

The reason I have more than one is if one of them doesn't catch something trying to get onto my system, another usually does. But remember, you have to scan on a regular basis - I do so once a week - and keep them updated, otherwise they're useless.

Q5: True, but it's still illegal and can land you in hot water if caught. Can't remember which issue, but PC Gamer had some pretty frightening stories of the fines people received through their letterboxes!!

Q6: Overzealous censor!!!!

Hope that helps!!

[Dienamickz]

never even considered gettin it

[Soulfire777]

Some people claim the SecuROM is responsible for breaking their hardware or corrupting their hard drives, but how do you actually PROVE that? Until someone actually PROVES it, the creator of SecuROM is legally able to claim that their software has never damaged anyone's computer whether that is "true" or not, because the burdeon of proof is on the consumer to prove otherwise and it's extremely difficult (if not impossible to do that). Just because the company SAYS SecuROM is 100% safe does not make it TRUE, but neither is it necessarily true when people claim SecuROM has been directly responsible for damaging their hardware.

Most people never actually have a technical/hardware problem with SecuROM. Most people never even know it's there unless somebody tells them it is. Sometimes the 3 install limit can be a real hassle for people, and people who do not want all their computers on the internet resent the 10 day internet re-activation requirement to keep playing the game they paid for.

The most (only?) compelling argument against SecuROM is that it just doesn't work. It is cracked for every game that uses it within hours of being released, and usually it is cracked before the game is even released. This means only the paying customers who do not use the crack to remove it are the only people who risk any negative consequences or inconvenience due to SecuROM. If something does not achieve what it is designed to do, and might hurt or inconvenience even ONE paying customer in the process, how you you really justify using it?

[GamingBOB]

Originally Posted by Soulfire777

Most people never actually have a technical/hardware problem with SecuROM. Sometimes the 3 install limit can be a real hassle for people, and people who do not want all their computers on the internet resent the 10 day re-activation requirement to keep playing the game. Some people claim the SecuROM is responsible for breaking their hardware or corrupting their hard drives, but how do you actually PROVE that? Until someone PROVES it, the creator of SecuROM is legally able to claim that their software has never damaged anyone's computer whether that is "true" or not, because the burdon of proof is on the consumer to prove otherwise and it's extremely difficult (if not impossible to do that). Just because the company SAYS this, does not make it TRUE, but neither is it necessarily true when people claim SecuROM has damaged their hardware.

The possibility of damaging a user's computer is enough for EA to step back and think twice on using SecuROM. But, they still continue to bundle their games with SecuROM without letting the user know about. The fact that they don't even let the user know about it is a bit disturbing, considering there is no normal method of uninstalling SecurROM.

[Lt_Kirby]

Wow, I leave for dinner, come back and have a flood of comments. Luckily, The Doctor76 was on duty to handle the epidemic, so thanks to Doctor76 for that You saved me a lot of typing lol.

As for the 3 limit installation mentioned by Soulfire777, from what I've heard, apparantly they have increased the limit to 5 installations....even still though, as you say, its gonna be a right pain in the *** for me as I plan on playing this for decades to come ^^

And as for Doctors comment on Norton 360 being...well...quite frankly a pile of steaming poo...I totally agree with everything you said. My laptop was epically fast when I got it, put Norton on there and it is one sloooooow *beep* now lol.

For anyone out there who is considering anti-virus and firewall software, I've invested in a tiny gadget called a Yoggie stick....it basically looks like a normal flash drive/memory stick, but is literally a computer in itself.
Each time you start your computer, it updates itself, it doesn't slow your computer down in the slightest as everything is ont he stick and uses the least cpu usage as technically possible.
There are however two penalties to Yoggie:
1) It's quite expensive to buy in the first place...although I got mine for £60
2) I think you need to pay a subscription......not sure though cos my dad handles all the bills :P

Basically, I'm not going to ramble on about Yoggie any more cos this post is turning in to a flippin advert lol, but if anyone is interested in it some more, pm me and I'll pm you back with more info.

Either way, Yoggie will still not protect you from the SecuROM though

[BlackGarden87]

Soulfire777, I've said it before and I'll say it again. 10 day reactivation plans were abandoned by EA after the response from fans. It was originally proposed that this would be used on Spore and Mass Effect, but after the proposals were dropped they never used them on an EA game.

And as Lt_Kirby said, the 3 install limit was increased to 5 installs, and they made it easy to deactivate previous installs if you ran out of installs (similar to how you can deauthorise computers on iTunes).

And that's not to say I support SecuROM. For my personal experience, I've never had trouble with it, and I never noticed it while installing and running Spore. I know others were not so lucky, and I do disagree with the principle of a game which you buy installing secondary software of any kind, whether it's Sony's SecuROM or anything else, without first asking for your permission. I also believe that if it is not declared on the box then it should be optional to install such extra software.

But, as I said, I know that it is not a problem for me, and does not conflict with any of my hardware, so it doesn't affect my decision to buy TS3.

[Soulfire777]

Originally Posted by GamingBOB

The possibility of damaging a user's computer is enough for EA to step back and think twice on using SecuROM. But, they still continue to bundle their games with SecuROM without letting the user know about. The fact that they don't even let the user know about it is a bit disturbing, considering there is no normal method of uninstalling SecurROM.

I agree 100%. And yet (sadly) I will still buy the game. Why? Because my computer was infected with SecuROM when I installed the Spore Creature Creator which was a FREE download. If I had known it was there, I would never have installed the Spore CC (or bought Spore). Now why would they install something like that to supposedly keep people from "pirating" something they are giving away for free anyway??? The fact is however that I already have it, it did not hurt me personally, so I have nothing to lose by installing another game that has it. On the downside, since I disagree with SecuROM in principle, part of me hates myself for continuing to reward EA for their unethical practices. But I want the game badly enough that I am doing it anyway, just because it hasn't yet hurt me personally and I have nothing left to lose. =(

[Soulfire777]

Originally Posted by BlackGarden87

Soulfire777, I've said it before and I'll say it again. 10 day reactivation plans were abandoned by EA after the response from fans. It was originally proposed that this would be used on Spore and Mass Effect, but after the proposals were dropped they never used them on an EA game.

And as Lt_Kirby said, the 3 install limit was increased to 5 installs, and they made it easy to deactivate previous installs if you ran out of installs (similar to how you can deauthorise computers on iTunes).

And that's not to say I support SecuROM. For my personal experience, I've never had trouble with it, and I never noticed it while installing and running Spore. I know others were not so lucky, and I do disagree with the principle of a game which you buy installing secondary software of any kind, whether it's Sony's SecuROM or anything else, without first asking for your permission. I also believe that if it is not declared on the box then it should be optional to install such extra software.

But, as I said, I know that it is not a problem for me, and does not conflict with any of my hardware, so it doesn't affect my decision to buy TS3.

I did not know they had changed those aspects of SecuROM, so thanks for the info. =) My experience with SecuROM was the same as yours (no ill effects), but yet I also feels as you do about it being unethical for the same reasons you cited. I was writing a post trying to explain that at the same time you were writing this. I think your post is better though because it was more concise than mine. LOL

[Dominochick3]

Yes, I dont have any games with securom. But I dont like it because its unethical.

[Amgel]

Originally Posted by The Doctor76

It is a waste of time and money and it only has any effect on legitimate paying customers. But it doesn't appear to harm your system: loads of my games have it and my system's fine...



Q1: Spyware is software that is downloaded onto your PC when you visit some sites (or it can come with files that you download). It slows down your PC and it monitors what sites you visit as well. In the worst case scenario, it can wait until it finds a credit card number or such like and 'report back to base' with it: don't ever have important financial details on your actual system. It is best gotten rid of as soon as possible.

Q2: If your PC has it, it will slow down noticeably and you'll probably get advert popups more than would seem normal.

Q3: That's how it usually gets onto your system first. I have a policy of d/l all files to a USB drive first, where they're scanned. If nothing is found on them, they go to the main download folder on my PC. If something is found, then: Hasta la Vista, baby!

Q4: No, Norton is an Anti-virus software, not a good one either: have a search round, people mostly have bad things to say about Norton, not least that it slows your PC down. You need an antispyware package as well.

Myself, I have: AVG 8.0 - it includes Anti-virus and anti-spyware.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware 2008
Windows Defender.

The reason I have more than one is if one of them doesn't catch something trying to get onto my system, another usually does. But remember, you have to scan on a regular basis - I do so once a week - and keep them updated, otherwise they're useless.

Q5: True, but it's still illegal and can land you in hot water if caught. Can't remember which issue, but PC Gamer had some pretty frightening stories of the fines people received through their letterboxes!!

Q6: Overzealous censor!!!!

Hope that helps!!

Thanks for answering my questions. Bit depressed, in case i have spyware. My laptop hasnt been fast for a while now.

[Amgel]

so whats the best thing to buy to get rid of spyware, and how much does it cost? Ive only put details into itunes, thats it. And that was a few months ago.

[Lt_Kirby]

no joke, the likely reason for your laptop being slow is norton....it sucks. i got it on this laptop and its pants (i also have 1 laptop with a yoggie stick and 1 desktop souly for work)

[Dominochick3]

Originally Posted by Lt_Kirby

no joke, the likely reason for your laptop being slow is norton....it sucks. i got it on this laptop and its pants (i also have 1 laptop with a yoggie stick and 1 desktop souly for work)

I have Norton 360 on my laptop now and it works great. No problems and no glitch :S

[Amgel]

Im a wee bit confused. Am i going to get robbed or not?

[Soulfire777]

Originally Posted by Dominochick3

I have Norton 360 on my laptop now and it works great. No problems and no glitch :S

If you benchmarked your system before and after installing it, you would probably notice a significant difference. Sometimes (especially if you have a good computer) it's hard to notice the difference without quantifiable numbers generated by a benchmark, because with or without the slowdown your computer is still more than fast enough to deliver acceptable performance. Many programs slow down your computer a little at a time...eventually you add a few of them and all of a sudden you notice how much slower your system is than it used to be without using benchmarks, but sometimes that takes a while. =/