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Just a Thought - Apple Can't Get No Respect

by - August 13th, 2004

"Good grief, Charlie Brown, er, Apple!"

You can't turn a virtual page in tech-news nowadays without reading something about someone hacking, cracking, or otherwise fiddling with something made by Apple.

I talked a bit about Real Networks' futzing around with the iPod in order for its customers to play songs downloaded from places other than the iTunes Music Store (namely Real's own music store) on their iPods.

Virgin Mega complained to the French authorities that Apple wasn't playing fair with FairPlay.

HP claims that its new Linux laptop will help Linux unseat Mac OS as the number 2 OS in the world.

A report came out that claimed that the iPod and other portable storage devices posed a new and severe threat to IT security.

And now it seems that Norwegian hacker, Jon Lech Johansen -- you know, the one who cracked the DVD encryption scheme, CSS, and showed others how to do it-- has managed to hack Apple's Airport encryption. Now, using a bit of code and instructions you can download from Jon's Web site, you can get other apps to work with Airport Express, not just iTunes.

Suddenly it seems that Apple has become the technology whipping boy. What's next? Can we expect a plethora of viruses, or a squirming knot of Mac worms? Will someone figure out how to infect iPods? Are we going to have to spend a wad of cash big enough to make Bill Gates sweat just to keep our Apple equipment safe from the nefarious low-lifes who would steal our precious data and bandwidth?

Ummm, yes and no.

Mr. Johasen's hack does give Apple cause for concern, but not in the way you might think.

Apple needs to be concerned because Mr. Johansen's hack did not crack the encryption, he figured out how to get AAC files from any source, not just iTunes 4.6, and Airport Express is none the wiser. All Apple need to do is use a different keying scheme and it will pretty much block this hack, but it makes you wonder just how vulnerable other Apple products are. You can find more information about Mr. Johansen's Airport Express hack at eWeek.

Be that as it may, Apple is suddenly becoming popular in ways it most likely did not want. This trend could conceivably test its products, and the way the company responds to threats. So far, Apple is holding its own; security updates appear for OS X in a timely manner, but are not, so far, required as often as for Microsoft's OSes, and updates to other Apple software have taken security into account.

But I think Apple has room for improvement, and improve it must if it is to retain the trust of its current customers, and gain the trust of potential customers.

Big Redmond learned the lesson of trust a while back and became more open about the problems it was having, and continues to have, with security in its products. So far, The Gate Gang have weathered the storm of criticism heaped on them and the company continues to reap hefty profits.

Apple's position is far more precarious than Microsoft's; Apple is entering and expanding in so many markets, and the perception of the company's support capability will be key to those considering Apple products over other capable, albeit not nearly as cool, products for other vendors. Becoming stone-faced when someone finds a problem won't helped, and could hurt Apple's hard won reputation, and ultimately hurt how well Apple is received in those new markets.

So, as Apple products becomes more widely used, we should see more attacks on them. I won't lose any sleep, though, because at the moment at least, the Jobs Crew is doing just fine, and it is my sincere hope that they continue to do so, regardless of how often Apple products are made a target.

is a writer who currently lives in Orlando, FL. He's been a Mac fan since Atari Computers folded, but has worked with computers of nearly every type for 20 years.

You can send your comments directly to me, or you can also post your comments below.

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Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
View Name:RealityCheck -   Troll Posts: 392 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Here's A Reality Check About Apple's Business
Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 601 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: The AirPort hack won't hurt Apple

Actually, Apple might not be too mad about it. There are actually some people that don't have an iPod or use iTunes in the PC world - but their numbers are diminishing . . .

Now these people can buy an AirPort Express and use the hack to stream their music - if they can wait out the backorders. Since Apple does not have built in additional revenues, like The Music Store for the iPod, it will make no difference to them how the AirPort is used.

It is interesting to note that the hackers (Real & Johansen) have their focus not on OS X, but on the bits & pieces that Apple sells very well (AE & iPod). Soon some one will come up with a hack that allows PC users to use the new 30" display on their PC.

As a Mac user I'm not worried and as a very small shareholder in Apple I wish Johansen all the best. He might just add another dollar to the value of the share price.

Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Subject:

I kinda disagree with the above post. I think alot of the mac-only peripherals (sp?) are made with intent to get people to come over to macs. For instance, if you were thinking about a powerbook, then the introduction of the airport express would push you over the fence into getting the powerbook, that kind of stuff. If they allow airport express to be used by just anybody, then there's no motivation for them to switch over to apple in the near future, and apple probably isn't gonna be making a whole lot of money on these things. I dunno, I just don't think they can one-off the airport express and get the success or profit from it like the iPod.

Close Name:AaronAdams Posts: 30 Joined: 10 May 2004
Subject:

Being able to stream audio to an AirPort Express from an application other than iTunes, the result of Johansen's software, does not hurt Apple or the AirPort Express. The purpose of the encryption is not to lock third parties out of APExp, the purpose is to protect the music being transmitted from interception by those who have no legal claim to it. Johansen has figured out the public key Apple uses in the encryption, but he has not (and likely never will) figure out the private key. Since the private key remains private, there is no security breach and AirTunes's encryption continues to fulfill the function it was designed for. I would hardly classify this as a vulnerability.

Close Name:John F. Braun -   TMO Staff Posts: 228 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Subject: Streaming Outside of iTunes

Actually, I was looking for this feature once I installed my AirPort Express. Like having it appear in my Sound Control Panel as another output device. Looks like this beats Apple to the punch. I'm sure Apple would have eventually got around to it.

Close Name:ricardo Posts: 18 Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Subject: re: Jonestown

RC - they have such great koolaid though....It has more vitamin C and less sugar than Borgmaster Bill does... ;>)

View Name:Guest
Subject: DVD Jon AirPort and business
Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Reminds Me of the Olden Days...

Respect?

Back in the olden days, there was a lot of resentment toward the Apple II crowd. You were considered an elitist if you were an Apple guy.

Kinda like when the Mac came out. It got laughed at by hardcore enthusiasts. Then suddenly it was a badge of honor to be able to crack Mac software.

And then there were the licensing wars, when everybody lined up to kick Apple around. Even Apple hated Apple then.

Point is, Apple's always been a lightning rod. It was only in the late 90s, when their boxes were seriously lagging, that people kinda forgot about them. Now that Apple's back leading the industry in practically every way possible, they are also taking that familiar old heat from critics, hackers, haters and "analysts." The first OSX virus can't be far away.

The more things change...


(And yes, our Kool-Aid does taste better.)

View Name:Guest
Subject:
Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 601 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: iPod & AE get PC users attention

spxyu02

I understand what you are saying, but don't believe that someone with a recently purchased PC, or a business user, will rush out and buy a Mac just because AR came out.

What I do believe, however, is that when a PC user with an iPod or AE (or both) are ready to get a new computer that little iPod or AE might be a sufficient demonstration of how neat Apple is that they will take a look at Macs. At that time it will be the salesman who shows them what Macs are all about, or one that takes the old "don't buy a Mac" approach. WIth a little informed help (rare in a lot of stores) we have a new Mac user.

The iPod and AE are, for me, a way to get into the PC users life, which is a huge start in the task of getting them to switch.

Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Subject: Re: iPod & AE get PC users attention

Quote
kenaustus wrote:
I understand what you are saying, but don't believe that someone with a recently purchased PC, or a business user, will rush out and buy a Mac just because AR came out.


I don't believe this. My post said that if someone was on the fence about buying a powerbook, something like this would shove them over to the apple side. I agree with you that this won't make them switch, but atleast give them a little taste of apple (god, i'm awful )

View Name:Guest
Subject: apple / pc compatibility
Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Subject: Re: apple / pc compatibility

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
THAT might make some people (with big windoze media player music libraries) stay on windoze and NOT switch


Well we don't want 'em anyway! hehe, j/k

But seriously, if someone wants to switch, there are programs you can download and use the trial period to convert wma to mp3, it's not hard, i've done it

Close Name:AaronAdams Posts: 30 Joined: 10 May 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
1. DVD John's work around of AirPort is important, because it shows that encrypted commercial systems for entertainment are not ready for prime time. If a business is going to base its revenue stream on encrypted sales of entertainment media, and that entertainment media can be compromised so early by an idealistic hacker, then it is not a good risk for those wishing to build a long-term profit base business model.

The part of AirPort Express that encrypts the music has not been broken. The music streamed from iTunes to AirPort Express is still locked down and resistant to interception.

View Name:Guest
Subject: Media Cycle
Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Respect the New iMac

OK, I may be off topic. Shoot me.

Supposed details of the new iMac have leaked, and are posted on...another site.

17 & 20" Flatscreen, all-in one design (like the Vaio W700G). 1.6 and 1.8 Ghz. 80/160GB ATA. 5.1 digital surround output. Etc., etc. Pricing supposedly about the same as old iMacs. I think an Apple Loan is in my near future.

/Off to forums to hunt more info.

View Name:Guest
Subject: RC = Thurrott
Close Name:John F. Braun -   TMO Staff Posts: 228 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Subject: All This Attention is Good

If one can equate media coverage with success, then Apple seems to be moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, some of this attention is negative. On the other hand, it has been said that "any publicity is good publicity."

View Name:Guest
Subject: RC-- Where's My iWalk?
Close Name:Intruder -   TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 2980 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Subject:

Quote
RealityCheck wrote:
Check this unbiased review of Apple's poorly run business from a Mac user who is not an Apple Kool-Aid drinker:

http://www.macnet2.com/more.php?id=519_0_10_0


What, exactly, makes you think this is unbiased? It is opinion. It is, by definition, biased. It shows the point of view of the author. He is entitled to his opinion, but don't think that it is 100% truth.

It just happens to fit YOUR bias. It obviously didn't fit the bias of most of those who read and posted to the "article".

It was as unbiased as Fahrenheit 9/11, which was, by the director's own statements, an op-ed piece.

Try again.

View Name:Guest
Subject: Re. Reality Check
View Name:Guest
Subject:
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