Napster Subscription Service Hackable, But Napster Not Fussed
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It has emerged that music downloaded under Napster's new subscription service can be hacked using freely available software.
WinAmp (when combined with the Output Stacker plugin) allows 'stream ripping'. This nothing new, but the fact that Napster now allows access to millions of songs is providing a new application for the hack. However, the technique results in substantially larger files and reduced quality, as effectively WinAmp intercepts the sound stream on its way to the sound card and creates a new digital file - the modern equivalent of taping off the radio for our older readers. These files can then be copied onto other digital media - CDs, DVDs or hard drives.
Napster seem publicly unconcerned by news of this flaw in their model, but if stream ripping becomes public knowledge it is bound to threaten revenue from the Napster subscription-based service.
