KService.exe - back door P2P from Sky!
Discussion
After upgrading ZoneAlarm a couple of days back, I was asked to confirm internet access from some programs/services as usual. Noticed one called 'KService.exe' that I denied as I didn't know what it was.
Bit of investigation today turns up that it's a P2P service that's installed by Sky when you installed their Movies by Broadband program. This then uses YOUR PC and bandwidth to deliver movies to other users (I presume).
Denied it access to the internet and stopped then disabled the Service.
More info here if interested: www.opinionatedgeek.com/Blog/blogentry=000175/Blog.aspx
Bit of investigation today turns up that it's a P2P service that's installed by Sky when you installed their Movies by Broadband program. This then uses YOUR PC and bandwidth to deliver movies to other users (I presume).
Denied it access to the internet and stopped then disabled the Service.
More info here if interested: www.opinionatedgeek.com/Blog/blogentry=000175/Blog.aspx
Plotloss said:
Without doubt the app is lacking in certain features but surely if one is availed to the fact that its under pinned by a P2P architecture then one must expect data flowing both ways?
I agree, but I didn't read the T&C so had no idea. Besides, you only get the same movies as on the TV Movie channel, so I only used it once to play with!Unfortunately p2p is probably the only way to distribute large media files effectively and in a time-efficient manner. I am not supporting or condoning the technology, but lets face it - you want to watch a movie and its 400+MB in size then its going to take time to download..... especially if there are few hundred trying to download at the same time - I mean, what kind of bandwidth does Sky need? Gigabits really..... its just not going to happen at the moment (and before anyone mentioned Akami or similar, they aid in the overall load but I suspect they will have huge problems in getting the content scattered to different locations, and its still only the UK anyway!).
So it makes sense to try and share the load with the users as well as the central system. Given the size of the files its probably the only real solution today. Napster uses p2p but only for the management of the data transfer, it doesnt do much to share between subscribers - but thats only because the files are relatively small and easier to manage...... If you arent aware the BBC Interactive Media player is also P2P - so its coming if you like it or not.
BUT - I completely agree about disclosure - they should CLEARLY mark and explain what is going on. Hiding information in a license is obfuscation for the average user. Mr Smith down the road isnt going to take the time to read the license agreement and check his registry for running programs. Its a bit sneaky and I hope Sky gets burned for this.....
So it makes sense to try and share the load with the users as well as the central system. Given the size of the files its probably the only real solution today. Napster uses p2p but only for the management of the data transfer, it doesnt do much to share between subscribers - but thats only because the files are relatively small and easier to manage...... If you arent aware the BBC Interactive Media player is also P2P - so its coming if you like it or not.
BUT - I completely agree about disclosure - they should CLEARLY mark and explain what is going on. Hiding information in a license is obfuscation for the average user. Mr Smith down the road isnt going to take the time to read the license agreement and check his registry for running programs. Its a bit sneaky and I hope Sky gets burned for this.....
Thats how most P2P software works to be honest.
All you have to do is to move the video file from the kservicedownloads folder when it is finished and you will stop other people leeching your bandwidth. I monitored it when i first installed and the amount of uploads from that service was tiny.
Mind you i can download an entire dvd in about 40 minutes anyway as i'm on 10mb LOL
All you have to do is to move the video file from the kservicedownloads folder when it is finished and you will stop other people leeching your bandwidth. I monitored it when i first installed and the amount of uploads from that service was tiny.
Mind you i can download an entire dvd in about 40 minutes anyway as i'm on 10mb LOL
viper_larry said:
After upgrading ZoneAlarm a couple of days back, I was asked to confirm internet access from some programs/services as usual. Noticed one called 'KService.exe' that I denied as I didn't know what it was.
Bit of investigation today turns up that it's a P2P service that's installed by Sky when you installed their Movies by Broadband program. This then uses YOUR PC and bandwidth to deliver movies to other users (I presume).
Denied it access to the internet and stopped then disabled the Service.
More info here if interested: www.opinionatedgeek.com/Blog/blogentry=000175/Blog.aspx
Bit of investigation today turns up that it's a P2P service that's installed by Sky when you installed their Movies by Broadband program. This then uses YOUR PC and bandwidth to deliver movies to other users (I presume).
Denied it access to the internet and stopped then disabled the Service.
More info here if interested: www.opinionatedgeek.com/Blog/blogentry=000175/Blog.aspx
If you want to remove it see here - www.sky.com/skybybroadband/articles/article04
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Wednesday 28th June 13:28
tinman0 said:
i dont get it.
you pay for a subscription service to sky, and you allow sky to resell your bandwidth in return?
you pay for a subscription service to sky, and you allow sky to resell your bandwidth in return?
....and you can download dvd quality movies legally to watch on your pc? When i monitored it a few months ago, the upload speed was so minimal that i didnt even notice it when i was on a 2mb line with 256 upload.
Now that i am on 10mb with 800k upload, it bothers me even less.
I guess it could be a valid concern if you were on a capped broadband package.
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