And, *They* Want to Protect *Us*?
By Kenny Love
Today, (Wednesday, August 28, 2002), the RIAA web site
was not only hacked into once, but twice. When I received
the notice from MSNBC, on one hand, I snickered, while on
the other hand, I questioned why such an organization that
is heralding a cause to "protect" musicians and their works,
is not more protective of, and has not implemented more
advanced security measures with its own web site.
Just think...if this was your bank, of which you had
entrusted your life's savings and hard-earned money. And,
in a sense, I suppose that the RIAA can be referred to as a,
sort of, "bank" for us musicians, even if limited to its (now
questionable) policing power, in terms of copyright.
And, in having said that, to what degree is the RIAA web
site "hack-able?" If hackers can get into the site at all, can
they not also venture into even more highly sensitive territory?
Can you see how all of this could, potentially, come crashing
down, so to speak? Hmm...these are truly thoughts to ponder,
aren't they?
I certainly hope the RIAA has one heck of a backup plan in
place because I, for one, am certain that the hackers could
have gone much farther, particularly, since they were able to
"re-hack" into the site following, I assume, the RIAA closing
the previously hacked area.
However, in not doing so, I also assume that the hackers
were sending a strong message to the RIAA that, not only
is it not untouchable, but for it to also review some of the
issues it has on the table that are meeting with strong
criticism from both musicians and fans alike. Yeah, I
certainly can sleep a lot better knowing that the RIAA 'has
my back'.
I hesitate in publishing the news release link here, as
very often, sites transfer or remove some pages, of which
I then receive countless emails saying, "Hey, Kenny! The
link don't work, dude!" And, to which I am then forced to
respond, "Hey, dude! I take the 5th!" But, here goes...
http://msnbc-cnet.com.com/2100-1023-955776.html?type=pt&part=msnbc&tag=alert&form=feed&subj=cnetnews
P. S. After writing this article, to give benefit to the doubt, I
attempted to access the RIAA web site (not hacking, though),
but was largely unsuccessful. In fact, I was completely
unsuccessful.
However, what is even more ironic, is that on October 15, 2001,
writer Declan McCullagh, wrote a chilling article titled, "RIAA
Wants to Hack Your PC." You can review it at (although I cannot
guarantee for how long)
http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47552,00.html.
Chilling, I tell ya...absolutely chilling!
Editor's Note: Kenny Love has an extensive background in both the Music and Writing industries. Learn about the new services that he is providing to unsigned and independent recording artists in response to today's shaken and fractionalized Music industry by sending an email request to klmubiz@getresponse.com.
The above article is the expression of the writer's opinon and may or may not be the opinion of PeaceWork Records.
2002, PeaceWork Music
