Online Streaming ‘Security’ is now a joke.

The internet is changing. We will all have broadband connections in the next year or so, and we will all be watching full screen near TV quality movies and live gigs on our PCs, all in glorious CD quality sound. This is the future of online streaming, its already here for some cable and ADSL users. It all sounds fantastic, and it’s a reality being realised right now. But, for the artist who makes the media in the first place, there is a less talked about side to on line streaming. 
You see, streamed broadcasts such as live gigs, (lets say Elton John’s last gig that was televised to thousands over the net using broadband) is supposed to be a pay per view model. You pay on line, you get a secure password, you go and enjoy the show for a pre set amount of time, then its finished. After that, you are not able to re-view the event. This is a typical example of how royalties are accumulated via the internet, these monies then feed back to the artist as a percentage royalty. The whole idea of online streaming relies on the fact that there is no way to copy or download the streaming show. If a copy was made of the show, maybe only one person in 100 would actually pay for the show, the rest could get an illegal pirate (but digitally perfect) copy. Downloading a show and then distributing it to friends on line would be a serious threat to royalty collect to the artist. Now here comes the crunch, it’s happening right now!
The two main methods of on line streaming are RealNetworks ® real audio player and MicroSoft® windows media player. 
In the case of Real Audio, there is a security setting which disables the Real Player pro version’s record ability. So, if a gig is live, and maybe pay per view, or simply the artist has requested that the show is not to be copied or distributed, this security method is set to disable recording. Other shows and pre recorded media would be recordable by the Pro version of Real Player. So Ok, there is a security system in place here to allow the artist to gain control over what is broadcast.
In the case of Windows Media, the security takes a different form. Microsoft has a policy of not distributing ANY download or record-capable viewers or applications. It’s that simple. They also do not release any protocol or streaming details of their system to further prevent hackers or pirate copiers to write code to record Windows Media. With no information available and certainly no software from MicroSoft themselves, this is a deterrent to anyone wanting to record and copy a broadcast. Their second line of defense is known as digital rights management. This is a web site referral system that diverts viewers to the artists own website to then gain a pay per view key that then enables viewing the media. Again there is a security system in place here.
On the face of it, both Windows Media and Real Networks have tried to safeguard streaming media against copying. But like most things on the internet, the technology moves faster than the people behind it. Hackers exploit this to the full.

The facts: 
1) Applications now exist that can record live and pre recorded broadcasts of ALL media types and are freely available on the net for anyone to use.
2) Real Player’s security, record disable, has been completely bypassed. All media can now be recorded and copied freely.
3) Windows Media security measures are now completely bypassed. All protocol and streaming information has been hacked and is available on the net for would be programmers to use. Downloading software is also available to anyone wanting to record and copy gigs.
4) 9 out of 10 streaming service providers don’t even bother to use digital rights management on their servers, even if they did, it would be hacked anyway. 
5) Even java and active scripting embedded custom-viewers, designed to restrict viewing, have been bypassed with ‘intercept’ software.
6) Artists will suffer as a result of lost revenue due to pirate copying of shows.
7) The pay per view model is a joke.

Currently available software:

For Real Networks recording:
X-FileGet, StreamBox VCR or buy the RealPlayer Pro (limited record)

For Windows Media:
StreamBox VCR (it does the lot!), ASF recorder (for http streaming) or SDP (for mms streaming).

The interesting thing about StreamBox is, they got into a lot of trouble with Real Networks due to legal issues regarding recording Real Audio media. They were instructed to remove their real player record ability. However, the program code was hacked in no time and a crack is available freely (and very easy to find on the net) that re-enables all the functions of StreamBox, including a bypass for Real Audio’s security system.

Conclusion.
In my view, anything that is streamed on the net must now be regarded as copied and distributed - as it probably will be by someone in the world. The idea of collecting royalties from a live show from the artist’s point of view must be regarded as waste of time as any gig broadcast could, and probably will be, recorded and copied. Before you know it, your pay per view model becomes and free for all model.
On line streaming has the potential to change lives. With small broadcast stations setting up every day, even Keith Cheggers (in the UK) now has his own show via CBTV. Many live venues are installing web cams and servers are archiving everything. Anyone can do it!. We can all now enjoy this widely diverse content of broadcast. But at what cost? I wonder if the people performing in front of a camera actually realise they are being recorded and probably sent via the black market to others bypassing the system completely. Personally, I have always believed that you cannot make money out of the internet. Hackers and crackers, call them what you will, will always find a way around any security measure - never mind the sheer customer reluctance to pay for anything on the net. And here we are again trying just that with on line streaming, yet another dot com economic disaster.
If you are thinking of ‘selling’ your on line streams or setting up a pay per view model, think again.
The internet is free to anyone with a computer, the information passed over it must be regarded as free also. Well, that is until someone comes up with a better idea than our current streaming systems.




Paul W.