Hackers lose key to DVD movies
THE group behind security measures for next-generation DVDs says it has fixed a leak that allowed hackers to discover the keys for unlocking movies on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Makers of software for playing the discs on computers will offer patches containing new keys and closing the hole that allowed observant hackers to discover ways to strip hi-def DVDs of their protection.
Digital rights management protection, or DRM, is intended to prevent copying of the movies. Hackers working late last year and early this year were able to observe computer code found on the PC-based DVD players and discover keys that unlock protections on all hi-def discs, so copies could be made.
Last week, the group that developed the Advanced Access Content System said it had worked with device makers to deactivate those keys and refresh them with a new set.
