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I accept that games have copy protection. I do not accept invasive
copy protection that damages my system. Starforce works by installing a
driver in your operating system, way down with kernel-level
privileges. No way.
What troubles me is how squirrely the process is for removing
Starforce. Their user page
explains how to remove it, but the solution is to send you to a
scary looking third
party which has been "granted a sole right to distribute the
StarForce Removal Tool utility". Their page then proceeds to try to
upsell you into some never-heard-of-it anti-spyware program. Fake
anti-spyware is a #1 way to get actual spyware on your computer, so
the whole thing smells suspicious. I think it's actually legitimate,
but how could I be sure? Why would a company contract out
distribution of their uninstall tool?
I don't think Starforce means badly here, I don't think they're
criminal. Just dumb. I was reminded of all this by Starforce's
ham-handed attempt to legally
strong-arm
Cory into removing some criticism from his blog. What jerks.
Time to join
the movement to boycott
Starforce. Fortunately, not
many games use
Starforce, mostly some crappy second tier titles. I got it
installed thanks to Sniper Elite, a lousy game anyway.