Media Defender's PR Problem Gets WorseAfter they knock a legitimate video website offline... ( old news - 08:46AM Friday May 30 2008) tags: Fileswapping · business · trouble · OdditiesTipped by pghviewer  Last weekend I saw that Internet TV company Revision3 had suffered from a denial of service attack. I thought nothing of it at the time, until I saw this Techdirt post that explains the denial of service attack was actually caused by Media Defender. Media Defender is a company hired by the RIAA to disrupt P2P networks by distributing fake files, generating bogus search results and even gobbling up the bandwidth of file providers. They were a company that flew largely under the radar until a hacking group offered up a flood of internal e-mails for all to see. Those e-mails exposed a number of company efforts, including DDoS attacks and the creation of entrapment websites that pretended to offer pirated material. Why would the RIAA's henchmen try to take down a legitimate video network? The CEO of Revision3 explains in a post: Although Here�s what I think really happened. Media Defender was abusing one of Revision3�s servers for their own purposes � quite without our approval. When we closed off their backdoor access, MediaDefender�s servers freaked out, and went into attack mode � much like how a petulant toddler will throw an epic tantrum if you take away an ill-gotten Oreo.
That tantrum threw upwards of 8,000 SYN packets a second at our servers. And that was enough to bring down both our public facing site, our RSS server, and even our internal corporate email � basically the entire Revision3 business. Smashing the cookie jar, as it were, so that no one else could have any Oreos either. Normally a business operation this shady would lose clients who found their lack of ethics (entrapment honeypots) and illegal activity (the repeated use of DDoS attacks) troublesome, but when your primary employer is the RIAA, well....
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spewak
Kiss It, Kiss It Real Good
Premium
join:2001-08-07
Elk Grove, CA | Re: It was only a matter of time Me thinks that Rev3 is using the "court of public opinion" quite well. 
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| | | | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: It was only a matter of time said by TK Junk Mail :said by knightmb :I was wondering when this story would make it here.  I've been tipping this story for 2 days. I was wondering when it was going to show up too. What do you care? You have your own blog.  | |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: It was only a matter of time He does... really ?
Never been there, but I see him here often.
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TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
 ·Comcast
edit:
May 30th, @09:00AM
|  Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words
Louderback, former editor in chief of PC Magazine, believes MediaDefender launched the attack in a misguided attempt to frustrate pirates who appear to have in the past harnessed Revision3's server.
"If we're doing something that is possibly helping people to share copyrighted stuff, we would shut it down in a second," he said in an interview Thursday.
Revision3 uses peer-to-peer technology to distribute legal, professionally produced programs. From the beginning of April until last week, the company used a tracker that was open to outside users.
MediaDefender discovered the tracking server and suspected that copyright infringers were also harnessing it. MediaDefender then used it to plant phony videos and music online--a technique the company deploys to frustrate copyright infringers.
Last week, when Revision3 realized that outside parties were using the tracker, the company closed access to it. Shortly after that, the denial of service attack started. While this doesn't get MediaDefender off the hook for the attack, it also removes Revision3 from the ranks of the pure and innocent. Their tracker was being used by pirates and they took a good long time doing anything about it.
Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack.
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| | deadzoned
Premium
join:2005-04-13
Baton Rouge, LA
·Cox HSI
edit:
May 30th, @09:07AM
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words Except MD was using Revision3 servers to send fake files without permission.... I know you hate all things pirate, but that alone exempts MD from any sympathy and certainly should be considered when you talk of "letting them off the hook".
Just because Pirates did it doesn't mean MediaDefender should do it. It makes them just as bad as pirates in my book. | |
| | Dodge
join:2002-11-27
clubs:
| "MediaDefender discovered the tracking server and suspected that copyright infringers were also harnessing it"
There is not proof that it was, at least not in what you wrote.
"Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack."
Where do they admit that? They said they closed the back door and MediaDefender threw an "epic tantrum". On top of that who sets up servers to start DDoS attacks as an autmatic response to anything?!? | |
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TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words said by Dodge :"MediaDefender discovered the tracking server and suspected that copyright infringers were also harnessing it" There is not proof that it was, at least not in what you wrote. »blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/05/30···english/Randy Saaf, MediaDefenders CEO, tells us that illegal file traders were taking advantage of the same loophole, a charge Louderback(CEO of Revision3) doesn’t dispute. said by Dodge :"Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack." Where do they admit that? They said they closed the back door and MediaDefender threw an "epic tantrum". »blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/05/30···english/
Once Louderback reached MediaDefenders, the company was able to stop the requests, which happened automatically when Revision 3 closed the hole. But it took all weekend to reach someone, Louderback tells us. And while he doesn’t object to MediaDefender’s tactics when it comes to combating piracy – which are perfectly legal – Louderback wishes the company had “checked to see that we are a legitimate site first.”
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| | | | TheGhost
Premium
join:2003-01-03
Lake Forest, IL
clubs:
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words said by TK Junk Mail :said by Dodge :"MediaDefender discovered the tracking server and suspected that copyright infringers were also harnessing it" There is not proof that it was, at least not in what you wrote. » blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/05/30···english/Randy Saaf, MediaDefenders CEO, tells us that illegal file traders were taking advantage of the same loophole, a charge Louderback(CEO of Revision3) doesn’t dispute. said by Dodge :"Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack." Where do they admit that? They said they closed the back door and MediaDefender threw an "epic tantrum". » blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/05/30···english/Once Louderback reached MediaDefenders, the company was able to stop the requests, which happened automatically when Revision 3 closed the hole. But it took all weekend to reach someone, Louderback tells us. And while he doesn’t object to MediaDefender’s tactics when it comes to combating piracy – which are perfectly legal – Louderback wishes the company had “checked to see that we are a legitimate site first.” So basically, the folks at R3 discover their new server is open and is potentially being used for ill, so they lock it down, and THEN MD throws a fit at them. Great job, punish the folks that have fixed a security leak. Too bad none of the federal agencies will pursue criminal charges - too busy being lapdogs for the MPAA/RIAA I guess. | |
| | | | | Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words said by knightmb :said by TK Junk Mail :While this doesn't get MediaDefender off the hook for the attack, it also removes Revision3 from the ranks of the pure and innocent. Their tracker was being used by pirates and they took a good long time doing anything about it. Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack. I don't think they were pure and innocent either, but neither is anyone else that I know of. I see it more of a matter of principal; they found a problem and fixed it. It may have taken a while, but that doesn't excuse Media Defender from using the same exploit that the pirates were using. If my local bank ATM had a bug in which I withdraw $20 and it gives me $500 instead at no charge to my account, it shouldn't mean that I should come by the ATM every day to take out my $500 until one day they fix the bug, so I ram my car into the ATM in anger. When the bank fixes it they will just take the $480 out of account | |
| | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| said by TK Junk Mail :Also, Revision3 also admits the DOS attack was triggered by their own actions and was an automatic response by MediaDefender servers and that it wasn't an intentional DOS attack. BS.
To automatically DOS a server that cuts off your access shows malice and intention.
Sorry, 2 wrongs don't make a right and this screams of entrapment. | |
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asdfdfdfdfdfdf
@Level3.net
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words I agree.
Automating malicious intent isn't a way to avoid responsibility and it doesn't make the harm done unintentional.
"And while he doesn’t object to MediaDefender’s tactics when it comes to combating piracy – which are perfectly legal "
Are they legal? And if so why should society tolerate the government legitimizing what is private company vigilantism using attacks that would normally be considered criminal.
We should not have private enforcers, above the law in their crusade to stamp out illegal behavior. | |
| | | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Revision3 not totally innocent - even by own CEOs words said by asdfdfdfdfdfdf :
I agree.
Automating malicious intent isn't a way to avoid responsibility and it doesn't make the harm done unintentional.
Are they legal? And if so why should society tolerate the government legitimizing what is private company vigilantism using attacks that would normally be considered criminal.
We should not have private enforcers, above the law in their crusade to stamp out illegal behavior.
Booby trapping your property is also illegal. 
This was nothing more than a booby trap. | |
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Smith6612
Premium
join:2008-02-01
united state
edit:
May 30th, @09:08AM
| haha.... Seems like someone needs to fix their servers. | |
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yuutomo
The Wonder Kitter
Premium
join:2001-08-27
Missoula, MT | hmm.... looks like MediaDefender needs to start getting the legal fire as well. both them and their mafia buddies the riaa need to be nailed for racketeering, extortion, and most any charge a mobster would be stuck with. | |
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nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
·Speakeasy
| Re: hmm.... said by yuutomo :looks like MediaDefender needs to start getting the legal fire as well. both them and their mafia buddies the riaa need to be nailed for racketeering, extortion, and most any charge a mobster would be stuck with. You'd think so, but when you've bought and paid for a significant percentage of the legislature, already, you can be fairly certain that the DoJ is pre-bought as well.
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catseyenu
Ack Pfft
Premium
join:2001-11-17
Fix East
clubs:
| Re: hmm.... said by nixen :You'd think so, but when you've bought and paid for a significant percentage of the legislature, already, you can be fairly certain that the DoJ is pre-bought as well. Bite the hand that feeds them?
They'd much rather roust your kids to rape your pocketbook.
Low hanging fruit and all that. | |
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