Illegal scanning of files

Discussion for Bani's Tournament Mod

Moderators: Forum moderators, developers

Post Reply
WolfGamer
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:04 am

Illegal scanning of files

Post by WolfGamer »

ETPro seems to scan harddrive for certain files. It's perfectly good to scan files which the game uses so that cheaters can be caught, but it seems to scan other files too, files that are NOT even in the same folder or system folder or etc. AND which CANNOT have any connections to the game. It found out my own experimental Opengl32.dll development from my project folder, kicked me and posted md5 checksum to all players in server. My own, self modified Opengl32.dll is definetely my private business. And even though md5 is said to take impossible long to generate back to original file, I'd rather not give it a shot. My opengl32 project has nothing to do with Enemy Territory.

I have much more private files and I don't want any program to scan through them and send them or any part of them or their md5 checksums anywhere. No EULA or other agreement informed me of ETPro's scannings, I definetely wouldn't have installed this software if I had known of scannings. This kind of uninformed searching is not justified by any means. THESE KIND OF SEARCHES AREN'T PROBABLY EVEN LEGAL! I think that developers of this mod owe me and other end-users an explanation.
uber-noob
Posts: 285
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Illegal scanning of files

Post by uber-noob »

WolfGamer wrote:It found out my own experimental Opengl32.dll development from my project folder, kicked me and posted md5 checksum to all players in server.
I doubt that this was etpro, because that is exactly what Punkbuster does. If you don't like it you have to disable Punkbuster then.
User avatar
Ragnar_40k
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:18 pm
Location: Berlin, birthplace of the Döner
Contact:

Post by Ragnar_40k »

ET uses OpenGL, so its legal to scan the opengl32.dll. With tweaking the dll you can easily cheat. And it takes only seconds to restore the original dll and reboot.
The Emperor watch over you.
User avatar
Lekdevil.NL
Posts: 89
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:59 am

Re: Illegal scanning of files

Post by Lekdevil.NL »

WolfGamer wrote:No EULA or other agreement informed me of ETPro's scannings, I definetely wouldn't have installed this software if I had known of scannings.
It's not ETPro but PunkBuster, and yes you were informed:
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

The terms of this Software License Agreement (this "Agreement") shall apply to all versions, editions, and future updates of PunkBuster software and constitute a legal agreement between you (the "Licensee") and Even Balance, Inc. (the "Licensor").
...

Licensee acknowledges that PunkBuster software is optional and is not a requirement in any respect for using or enjoying games that integrate PunkBuster software technology. Licensee also acknowledges and agrees that PunkBuster software is self-updating, which means that future updates will, from time to time and without any notice, automatically be downloaded and installed as a normal and expected function of PunkBuster software. Licensee further acknowledges and accepts that PunkBuster software may be considered invasive. Licensee understands that PunkBuster software inspects and reports information about the computer on which it is installed to other connected computers and Licensee agrees to allow PunkBuster software to inspect and report such information about the computer on which Licensee installs PunkBuster software. Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee's computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication. Licensee understands that the purpose and goal of PunkBuster is to ensure a cheat-free environment for all participants in online games. Licensee agrees that the invasive nature of PunkBuster software is necessary to meet this purpose and goal. Licensee agrees that any harm or lack of privacy resulting from the installation and use of PunkBuster software is not as valuable to Licensee as the potential ability to play interactive online games with the benefits afforded by using PunkBuster software.
...
duke'ku
Posts: 1053
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 1:42 pm
Location: portland, oregon
Contact:

Re: Illegal scanning of files

Post by duke'ku »

WolfGamer wrote:ETPro seems to scan harddrive for certain files. It's perfectly good to scan files which the game uses so that cheaters can be caught, but it seems to scan other files too, files that are NOT even in the same folder or system folder or etc. AND which CANNOT have any connections to the game. It found out my own experimental Opengl32.dll development from my project folder, kicked me and posted md5 checksum to all players in server. My own, self modified Opengl32.dll is definetely my private business. And even though md5 is said to take impossible long to generate back to original file, I'd rather not give it a shot. My opengl32 project has nothing to do with Enemy Territory.

I have much more private files and I don't want any program to scan through them and send them or any part of them or their md5 checksums anywhere. No EULA or other agreement informed me of ETPro's scannings, I definetely wouldn't have installed this software if I had known of scannings. This kind of uninformed searching is not justified by any means. THESE KIND OF SEARCHES AREN'T PROBABLY EVEN LEGAL! I think that developers of this mod owe me and other end-users an explanation.
The only way it would kick you is if your opengl32 was performing the same actions that a cheat does. Most cheats are done via wrappers or hooks in that opengl driver.

And who cares about an md5 sum? It doesn't show anything. Although it isn't an md5 sum, it's a crc gg :)
duke'ku
Posts: 1053
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 1:42 pm
Location: portland, oregon
Contact:

Post by duke'ku »

p.s. stop looking at kiddie porn
User avatar
bani
Site Admin
Posts: 2780
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2002 3:58 am
Contact:

Re: Illegal scanning of files

Post by bani »

WolfGamer wrote:ETPro seems to scan harddrive for certain files.
No it doesnt.

WolfGamer wrote:It's perfectly good to scan files which the game uses so that cheaters can be caught, but it seems to scan other files too, files that are NOT even in the same folder or system folder or etc. AND which CANNOT have any connections to the game.
No it doesnt.
WolfGamer wrote:It found out my own experimental Opengl32.dll development from my project folder, kicked me and posted md5 checksum to all players in server.
No it didnt.
My own, self modified Opengl32.dll is definetely my private business. And even though md5 is said to take impossible long to generate back to original file, I'd rather not give it a shot. My opengl32 project has nothing to do with Enemy Territory.
ETPro didn't touch it.
I have much more private files and I don't want any program to scan through them and send them or any part of them or their md5 checksums anywhere. No EULA or other agreement informed me of ETPro's scannings, I definetely wouldn't have installed this software if I had known of scannings. This kind of uninformed searching is not justified by any means. THESE KIND OF SEARCHES AREN'T PROBABLY EVEN LEGAL! I think that developers of this mod owe me and other end-users an explanation.
Ok, your explanation:

This wasnt done by etpro. Punkbuster did it.

Now get off your high horse.
BOTA
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2002 3:53 am

Post by BOTA »

Good that that is cleared up, would not like ETPro getting a bad name for no reason.
Post Reply