Sony compromises user security -- again

Sony has once again been outed for putting its customers at risk from attack by creating software that could help criminals hide malware on a PC.

The offending software is the device driver for a biometric fingerprint reading component of a product called the MicroVault USB, which contains a rootkit-like cloaking technology that security firms say could be used by criminals to hide malware.

This is not the first time Sony has been caught putting users' PCs at risk.

In 2005, the company was sued for using a rootkit to hide DRM technology in a music CD. Eventually it made a public apology and paid US$7.50 to each user who took part in a class action lawsuit.

You would think that experience may have changed Sony's ways but this latest revelation seems to prove that the electronics giant is happy abusing user security for its own purposes.

This kind of behaviour should really make everyone -- consumers and companies alike -- think twice before installing any software provided by Sony.

The company's track record proves it cannot be trusted.

But how many people actually pay attention to this kind of behaviour? Not many we suspect.

Will this latest revelation put you off using Sony products? Has your security been compromised because of a vendor's slack attitude to security?

Please let us know by sending an e-mail to the ZDNet Australia edit team, or by commenting below.