Windows Media Encoder 9 Series Privacy Statement
Last Updated: December 2003
Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. To help you make an informed choice regarding your privacy, Microsoft publishes privacy statements that disclose what information is collected, how that information is used, and what privacy controls exist.
This privacy statement applies to Windows Media Encoder 9 Series; it does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft websites, products, or services. Other Microsoft websites, products, and services may have their own privacy statements.
As you use Windows Media Encoder, you will at no time be requested to provide any "Personally Identifiable Information" (information that personally identifies you, such as your name, address, and phone number). However, there are occasions when your logon credentials and other information that uniquely identifies your computer are transmitted over the Internet. The following sections disclose what information the encoder collects and how that information is used.
The encoder enables you to convert digital media into Windows Media format. The source of the digital media can be a live source, such as an audio/video capture device, or a file stored on your hard disk. The resulting Windows Media-based content can be stored in a file or broadcast live over the Internet.
When broadcasting content, you can allow other users to connect directly to your computer to receive the content, or you can use a server running Windows Media Services to distribute your content. Using a Windows Media server greatly increases the number of users that can simultaneously receive your content. To reach very large audiences, groups of Window Media servers can be deployed to form a content distribution network. These networks are typically operated by third parties.
The encoder supports both "push" and "pull" distribution. With push distribution, the encoder initiates the connection with a Windows Media server and passes the content to the server. With pull distribution, a player or a Windows Media server connects to an HTTP port on your computer to receive the content. Pull distribution is the default distribution method.
 Back to the top
When the encoder is broadcasting via your HTTP port, any computer that has access to that port can receive your content. Using the Broadcast Security dialog box, you can restrict access to a broadcast by IP address.
To determine who is connecting to your computer during pull distribution, the encoder can record the IP address and connection time of each client (player or Windows Media server) in a log. By analyzing the log, you may be able to identify and prevent denial of service attacks. The log file is a standard text file and is not encrypted or protected. We recommend you set permissions on the folder that contains your log files to prevent unauthorized access. By default, logging is disabled.
As a broadcaster, it is your responsibility to inform those that receive your content if you are logging their activity and what you do with that information.
Back to the top
When you initiate push distribution to a Windows Media server, your credentials are sent to the server for authentication. This ensures only authorized users can push content to the server. Your credentials can include your logon user name and password. Secure authentication methods, such as NTLM, are used to protect your credentials.
Back to the top
When using the encoder, you can use Microsoft's digital rights management system (DRM) to protect your content from unauthorized access and use. By default, DRM protection is not enabled. When you enable DRM, you can decide what rights to grant, such as whether your content can be copied.
Before the encoder can protect your content with DRM, you must create a DRM profile. DRM profiles are kept in a secure store on your computer to protect them from unauthorized access. To create a DRM profile, you must access a third-party license service provider and exchange information over the Internet. This information includes "shared secrets". If these secrets are compromised, your content may also be compromised.
When a connection to a license service provider is established, a text message is displayed on the Create DRM Profile dialog box that indicates the security level of the connection. To protect your content, it is recommended that you only connect to a license service provider via a secure connection or a private trusted network.
When generating a license for your content, the license service provider may add arbitrary attributes to the header that could be examined by other users who view your content. These attributes might include DRM version information, license service provider information, and content ID. If you are concerned about what information is included in the header or what the licensed service provider does with your information in general, such as sharing your information with third parties, we recommend you contact your license service provider and request a disclosure.
Back to the top
We may occasionally update this privacy statement. When we do, we will revise the "last updated" date at the top of the privacy statement. We encourage you to periodically review this privacy statement to be informed of how Microsoft is protecting your information.
Back to the top
Microsoft welcomes your comments regarding this privacy statement. If you believe that Microsoft has not adhered to this statement, please contact us by e-mail or postal mail, and we will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly determine and remedy the problem.
Windows Media Privacy
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
Send email to wmpriv@microsoft.com.
To find contact details for the Microsoft subsidiary or affiliate in your country or region, see Microsoft Worldwide.
Back to the top
|
