Google Video Viewer Cracked a Day After Release

[DigitalX]

Last Monday, Google announced the availability of their Video Viewer software as a component of their new Web-based video search service. The video search allows users to enter keywords and find results from a database of videos from numerous sources. Consumers must use Google's Video Viewer software in order to watch the videos and the company restricted the player to only display video from their servers.

 

Jon Johansen posted his modified code of Google's Video Viewer - based on the open-source VLC player - on his site Tuesday that removes the restriction. Users of his modified program can use the Video Viewer to watch videos not found in Google's database.

 

John Johansen was nicknamed DVD Jon after breaking the copy protection on DVDs and is also known for reverse engineering Apple's iTunes music software.

 

Google confirmed yesterday that Johansen's Video Viewer modification would not compromise Google's servers. "This modification of Google's open-source video viewer does not compromise the integrity and security of content available from Google Video in any way," the search company said in a statement.

 

The company advised users not to install Johansen's version of the Video Viewer, "It could result in security vulnerabilities on their computer and may disrupt their computer's ability to access Google Video."