Is it easy to remove DRM protection?

[KevinH]

Hi,

Yes, I second what DiapDealer said. If anyone knows of a better (safer) anonymous upload/download site please let the people on Alf's blog know asap.

For the safety of the users, should we tell comment on Alf's blog to remove that specific mediafire link (or can the problem happen on any mediafire download).

Also how can you tell if the issue is with mediafire itself or with the ads it hosts?

I am on a Mac and so I never really get hit by these things so I was pretty oblivious to what was going on on this site.

Thanks,

KevinH

[DiapDealer]

For the safety of the users, should we tell comment on Alf's blog to remove that specific mediafire link (or can the problem happen on any mediafire download).

I can happen on any mediafire download.

Also how can you tell if the issue is with mediafire itself or with the ads it hosts?

The only evidence I have is that if I restrict scripts (with NoScript) to only those that originate from mediafire (usually flash related), I've never seen an issue.

The problem usually arises from websites that use an ad service that doesn't properly vet their ad sources. Rogue antivirus's and other malware can be contracted from perfectly innocent websites that utilize a suspect ad-service. Anyone on a Windows machine that doesn't use NoScript (or NoAd as others have mentioned) is really taking a risk visiting any website that utilizes an ad service.

Unfortunately, free, anonymous upload/download sites are the worst when it comes to ads.

[speedlever]

For the record, I am not running No Script on Firefox. I run Adblock Plus and Ghostery (and a bunch of other extensions.) I did not get the nasty either.

[abookreader]

I'm also Firefox with Ad Block Plus - no problems.

[Apprentice Alf]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Unfortunately, free, anonymous upload/download sites are the worst when it comes to ads.

Hi Folks,

I had no idea that Mediafire could cause any problems. I've had a look for a different host, and found one that allows anonymous uploads.

It doesn't seem to have any nasty ads, but I'd be grateful if people could check this for me.

I've added an extra link for this new site to my blog for the 2.3 tools.

If this host seems OK, I'll move the other items over as well.

— Alf.

[FF2]

May I be the first to greet the infamous (affectionately used) Apprentice Alf.

[Apprentice Alf]

Originally Posted by FF2

May I be the first to greet the infamous (affectionately used) Apprentice Alf.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not going to be a regular visitor here, only if there's something that really needs more exposure than just on my blog.

— Alf.

[Pushka]

Originally Posted by Apprentice Alf

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not going to be a regular visitor here, only if there's something that really needs more exposure than just on my blog.

— Alf.

Thanks for everything Apprentice Alf.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I can happen on any mediafire download.


The only evidence I have is that if I restrict scripts (with NoScript) to only those that originate from mediafire (usually flash related), I've never seen an issue.

The problem usually arises from websites that use an ad service that doesn't properly vet their ad sources. Rogue antivirus's and other malware can be contracted from perfectly innocent websites that utilize a suspect ad-service. Anyone on a Windows machine that doesn't use NoScript (or NoAd as others have mentioned) is really taking a risk visiting any website that utilizes an ad service.

I appreciate this explanation, and it matches what I've seen. It's not every visit to MediaFire that's given me headaches...only three.

I also use Firefox with NoScript and ABP. And I can't think of any site I've ever visited where I've allowed all scripts. I usually start with the most obvious one (e.g., allow MediaFire on the MediaFire site), and then click up through the various options, if that doesn't allow me to do what I need. I don't remember allowing any other scripts on that particular page, but I suppose it's possible that I approved a script source on a different page and it crossed over?

I wish there was a way to research what the various choices do before allowing them. As of right now, there are five options for the MobileRead pages alone - and the basic "allow MobileRead" doesn't give full functionality to the site.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

I don't remember allowing any other scripts on that particular page, but I suppose it's possible that I approved a script source on a different page and it crossed over?

Or it's possible that I've just been lucky so far. I rarely use Windows anymore, but when I do, I use your approach and click 'up' through the various NoScript levels. But if I can't reach the functionality I need after the first few options have been 'allowed', I usually abandon the site.

I wish there was a way to research what the various choices do before allowing them. As of right now, there are five options for the MobileRead pages alone - and the basic "allow MobileRead" doesn't give full functionality to the site.

I agree, it's getting harder and harder to determine (with content delivery networks, and such) just what's OK to allow. For Windows users, anyway.

The alternate upload/download site that Alf is testing seems to be quite safe. It also has great reputation scores from various services. It only has three script sources (aside from its own): google, googlesyndication, and recaptcha. Good choice Alf!

[SolRaven]

I'm almost there. What's the 10 digit PID that K4PC keeps asking for? I can't find any digits.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by SolRaven

What's the 10 digit PID that K4PC keeps asking for?

You only need a PID for DRMed MOBI ebooks. For K4PC ebooks the tool automatically discovers the PIDs it needs. Look at the README, e.g. in the tools_v2.3 bundle.

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

You only need a PID for DRMed MOBI ebooks. For K4PC ebooks the tool automatically discovers the PIDs it needs. Look at the README, e.g. in the tools_v2.3 bundle.

Thank you! I found a PID generator on the web. I just had to put in my amazon email addy plus the 16 digit K2 serial number, and it gave me a 10 digit PID which seems to work for the Mobi plug in as well, but i don't have any mobi books, so I'm not too worried about it.

Now I can read my Kindle books on my shiny new red PRS-650. Whoo hoo!!!

[abookreader]

whoa. There's no reason I know of to have to put in your email address to get your PID number. I'm not sure what they could do with that address other than spam you to death -- but just to warn others. Also, I don't think those generators work with the K3, they didn't the last time I checked.

As Wallcraft said, you only need the PID if the book is DRM'd to a Kindle. If you are using Kindle for PC (the App on your computer) the plug-in will find the PID and you can just leave that field blank.

[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by abookreader

whoa. There's no reason I know of to have to put in your email address to get your PID number. I'm not sure what they could do with that address other than spam you to death -- but just to warn others. Also, I don't think those generators work with the K3, they didn't the last time I checked.

As Wallcraft said, you only need the PID if the book is DRM'd to a Kindle. If you are using Kindle for PC (the App on your computer) the plug-in will find the PID and you can just leave that field blank.

When I checked the site again, it did say optional email, so it's prob. not needed. I'll keep you posted if I've accidentally spammed myself.

As for the plugin generating a PID, it didn't. I do own a Kindle, so I'd assume my books would be DRM'd to my Kindle. Heck, the only reason I bought the Kindle is because Amazon had an ebook that I wanted and at the time you had to own a Kindle to buy their books. Fortunately I stumbled on a great deal from a guy that worked for Amazon.