Before I contact Microsoft...

G

Gnasher

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
1,140
Would you consider the below a serious security issue that I should report to Microsoft?

I bought Silent Hunter 5 Steam version by Ubisoft which comes with their Ubiplay online DRM. I have a shortcut to my LAN connection on my desktop which I use to disco/connect from/to the internet. When Ubiplay is running it stops me from being able to disconnect the internet connection. Windows comes up with an error about someone else connected on another account that prevents me from doing so. It is caused by Ubiplay running and IMO no app/game should be able to stop one from disconnecting their internet connection no matter what. That's the kind of behavior I would expect from a worm/virus but not something that is supposed to be a legit app.

Whether I need Ubiplay running online or not to play the game is besides the point. Their Ubiplay software is hijacking my connection. They sent me the standard BS about how they "strongly" believe Ubiplay is a benefit to customers and completely ignored my concern so now I will pursue the issue via other channels.

What do you think?
 
DRM needs to check online to ensure that you haven't pirated the game. That's how it works. I don't really see an issue.
 
Why on earth would you want to disconnect your PC from the LAN all the time?
 
Its not "hijacking" your connection, its busy using it and uses a hook and windows thinks its another user trying to use it so it will stop you from using it. Just tell the software to stop using your connection and you can DC it.
 
I just ran a youtube video which is streaming over the internet and while it was still streaming over the internet I was still able to disco from the internet. I can do that with any app/game that uses the internet but not Ubiplay, therefore; it is hijacking the connection on my computer. That is a security breach.

It's not about why would I want to do that it is about an app that is preventing me from doing that when it shouldn't be able to do so. If this is common behavior then show me another app/game that does this or even has the ability to do it.
 
Gnasher said:
I just ran a youtube video which is streaming over the internet and while it was still streaming over the internet I was still able to disco from the internet. I can do that with any app/game that uses the internet but not Ubiplay, therefore; it is hijacking the connection on my computer. That is a security breach.

It's not about why would I want to do that it is about an app that is preventing me from doing that when it shouldn't be able to do so. If this is common behavior then show me another app/game that does this or even has the ability to do it.
Click to expand...

Shutdown the entire program and all dependencies
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of Ubisoft DRM. It started with StarForce which was a very effective DRM, however required installing a bunch of drivers which in many cases hosed people's systems. Ubi then switched to this new OSM (Uplay is not actually a DRM, it is more like Xbox live, OSM or Online Service Manager is the DRM) which is what hooks into your LAN making it impossible to disable your network connection when playing.

Now this would be a security breach if it weren't for the fact that the driver required to do this is WHQL certified. Which means that microsoft certified the driver that doesn't allow you to disable your NIC while in play (unless I have my information about OSM wrong).

So if you don't like it, Microsoft aren't the folks you should be calling, it is Ubisoft, and to be honest the response you will get from them is "I'm sorry you don't like that sir, you can bring your product back to the store for a full refund." This is why I haven't purchased a Ubisoft product for PC in the last decade.
 
Ubisoft response was actually worse than that. They replied some double-speak about how they "strongly" believe Ubiplay enhances the customer experience. When I pointed out that did not answer my concern they chose to just ignore me.

What really miffs me is that people at the subsim forum claimed that Ubiplay for SH5 does not require permanent internet connection and only does an authentication check on start up of the game. This is clearly not true. I even disabled the Ubiplay cloud save service and yet it is still running and making saves to the cloud. I go look thgat issue up at Ubisoft and you have to jump through hoops to disable it and simply disabling it in settings is not good enough. Obviously done that way by design too.

If you what you say is true about Microsoft giving the OK on the malware Ubiplay then I guess complaining to them is a waste of time and they are part of the problem and not the solution so I will take it up with Valve and see what they say.
 
Uplay, like I said isn't your issue. It is just their online social network like PSN or XBL. What is keeping you online is OSM, part of Uplay, but not actually part of the Uplay service. OSM if disabled will actually pause your game until connection is restored.

It is a PITA I know, but this is how Ubi is responding to pirates (and a lot of the reason their games are prime targets for cracks is because their DRM is so invasive and system breaking).
 
Isn't it great though that they invest so much money into DRM and essentially all it does is piss of the people who buy the game
 
And not to be a dick or anything, but for the OP, what will calling Microsoft do for you other than waste some of your time? You'll call and complain, and they'll cheerfully reply,

"I'm sorry you don't like that feature, that is by design. Thank you for calling Microsoft..."
 
I thought Microsoft actually frowned upon malware disguised as an app breaking security levels but I guess not. Seems some of you don't give a shit either. Thanks to the insight from those that do though.

You can let this thread die now.
 
It does sound sketchy. I would bring the game back and ask for my money, then do a format and reinstall. Not cool when a paid for product comes bundled with spyware. imo any form of DRM is spyware.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Not cool when a paid for product comes bundled with spyware. imo any form of DRM is spyware.
Click to expand...

While I do agree, this is just reality. More and more games are having more and more intrusive DRM. If people really want to game on PC, then they're going to have to start getting used to this.
 
I still don't see what can be considered 'malware'. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's malicious. Annoying, yes. Malware, no. Besides, you allowed it when you agreed to the EULA for the game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top