Safe'n'Sec developer links to warez

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by WYBaugh, Mar 12, 2006.

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  1. WYBaugh

    WYBaugh Registered Member

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    The developer of Safe'n'Sec, StarForce (http://www.star-force.com) also makes one of the most talked about and disliked copy protection systems for PC games. In a discussion on their forum concerning the sales of Galactic Civilizations II by Stardock (a non-copy protected game) one of their admins decided to link to a torrent warez search site to prove a point concerning the sales:

    http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=670&st=0

    Other discussion concerning this:

    http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=32501

    http://draginol.joeuser.com/index.asp?c=1&AID=106808

    http://forums.galciv2.com/index.aspx?forumid=161&aid=106741&c=1

    I'm a gamer and have run Starforce games with no problems but this is just disturbing by a supposed anti-piracy/security company.

    Bill

    Edited to correct the linking provided by BlueZannetti
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2006
  2. sage386

    sage386 Registered Member

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    Hey, I'm a Safe'n'Sec developer, the whole SNS team is not involved in Copy Protection discussions, and i dont recall was posting something like that. Stop talking lies mister!
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2006
  3. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    As a satisfied user and proponent of SafenSec at this site, these developments are extremely disappointing, in fact they are absolutely stunning to me. This type of behavior simply should not occur on a vendor sponsored forum.

    To be precise, the link provided was not a direct link to warez but, if I recall correctly, a link to a Google search of Torrent filetypes and the game in question. Nevertheless, that link provided direct links to the warez in question, and at the end of the day the distinction is an inconsequential technicality in my estimation.

    I really have no idea what was going through the mind of that board Admin when the post was made, but that type of behavior is, simply stated, inexcusable.

    Blue
     
  4. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    Sage386,

    I appreciate that the SnS and the Copy Protection groups are completely different, but they remain under the same administrative parent. This type of disconnect in overall corporate objectives simply cannot occur.

    Blue
     
  5. sage386

    sage386 Registered Member

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    Yes, i've just re-read the original statement, i thought he was referring by "Safensec developer" to a person.
    Sorry for misunderstanding.
     
  6. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

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    Alas one of the issues with the ease of the internet. I read the thread in question, and it seemed clear the admin was saying he was doing this on his own. Lousy judgement, yep, but not sure it represents starforce as a whole. They probably need to have a talk with that admin.

    Doesn't really affect my feelings about Safe'n'Sec.

    Pete
     
  7. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    It does appear that they are taking the situation seriously, see here.
    My personal opinion of SafenSec as an application remains favorable. I do think it is important to acknowledge shortfalls and take corrective measures, as appears to be in progress in this case.

    Blue
     
  8. Smokey

    Smokey Registered Member

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    Not only they do, others too.

    Big problems to connect to their server:

    "Can't connect to server
    Too many connections"

    And they closed the topic you linked to....
     
  9. SecurityFan

    SecurityFan Registered Member

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    Hi,

    I have a dumb question. What is "warez"? I don't want to google this to find out because it sounds like some dangerous sites might come up. Can someone explain what this term means and what is dangerous/bad about it? Thanks!
     
  10. securityx

    securityx Registered Member

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    Wikipedia definition of warez


    -------securityx--------
     
  11. Fernando Villegas

    Fernando Villegas Registered Member

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    I don't know why some people seem to be bending over backwards to defend Starforce, just because they like Safe'n'Sec and because a few tech support people were quick to answer their queries about Safe'n'Sec. You know who you are.

    I gather these people aren't gamers.

    Remember we are not talking about Safe'n'sec, we are talking about the invasive copy protection of Starforce. If you know nothing about it, pretty please keep quiet and don't speak out of some misplaced loyalty.
     
  12. Paranoid2000

    Paranoid2000 Registered Member

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    Security Technologies has apologised for this and changed their forum policies, so maybe now would be a good time to put this matter to rest?
     
  13. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

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    Keep quiet. I don't think so. If you bought a product from Star-Force one thing, but you bought a game, who uses Star-Force. I think you complaint should be with the vendor from whom you purchased.

    If the game manufactures keep using Star-Force and you keep buying the games......
     
  14. Fernando Villegas

    Fernando Villegas Registered Member

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    Well if you are inclined to talk about something you have no experience with, I won't stand in your way. :D

    Oh trust me, I already have. I'm a big fan of Heroes of Might and Magic series and have purchased all of them, but HOMMV isn't getting my money. And these days be careful of running game demos, these install Starforce drivers, which aren't removed when you install the demo!

    And If you think Starforce is a trustworthy company, let me lay out a couple of facts for you....

    * They willfully posted a link to a bittorrent link of Galciv2. In light of the way they are waging their PR war, don't be so sure this wasn't done without official support.

    * They disrrupt Wikpedia's entry on Starforce, using a series of sock puppets, and shrills.

    * On their own forums, they censor and delete any posts that are critical of SF protection. People who report problems get their posts deleted.

    * They pretended to post a 'netural' review of starforce protection using an 'online security site' owned by one of their developers.

    * They threatened to sue CGW (Computer gaming World a pc mag) which proved that Starforce was harmful on their CD drive in a test.

    * Their response is to call anyone who opposes them a international pirate! Anyone and everyone who has problems with SF is one in their book.

    * Their so called contest to prove that Starforce can be harmful is pretty much a joke. First you have to FLY to russia on your own expense. And the prize money was initally only $1,000. They raised it to $10,000 only a few days before the contest ended. If they are so sure, why not have an indefinite period? It's only 10k! Considering that you have to fly to russia on your own expense, 10k is nothing. And lots of people have tried to get a claim in and all they got was an email asking them to wait for further instructions, none came.

    * And their protection doesn't work anyway.

    Put it all together and it's clear to me that they are desperate to win the PR war, to the extent that they are willing to lie and cheat, basically do anything.

    What reputable company does things like this?
     
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