Microsoft Updates Vista In Latest Piracy Crackdown

[Thaising]

Microsoft today released an update to Windows Vista that will shut down unauthorized versions of the OS that allow users to skip the product's activation system.

The move comes as pirated copies of Vista are already making the rounds, mere weeks after the product was released to business customers.

The update, which Microsoft has dubbed "frankenbuild," detects tampering of Windows Vista code that would allow users of the OS to work around the product's built-in activation system, which requires users to validate their copy of Vista with a product activation key to use the full version of the product after 30 days.

How It Works

Frankenbuild mixes files from various test and final versions of the software. It will require only systems in which it detects specific tampering to go through a validation check for authenticity, according to a posting on the Windows Genuine Advantage blog.

If a version of Vista that has used a workaround to avoid product activation is detected, a user of that software will have 30 days before the OS goes into a reduced functionality mode, Microsoft said. In this mode, all users can do is access their existing files and surf the Web for an hour before having to log back on to the software.

Pirating Problems

The pirating of Windows has been a perennial problem for Microsoft, particularly in developing countries. The company began coming down hard against piracy last year with a widely criticized system it called Windows Genuine Advantage, which initially required users to validate their copies of Windows if they wanted to use Microsoft's update services.

Microsoft took its antipiracy campaign one step further with Vista by building the validation system directly into the OS. This system requires a Windows Vista user to validate the software through a product activation key within 30 days of using the OS to avoid having the software go into reduced functionality mode.

IDG News Service

M$ are so proud of their latest OS and how secured it have, now before they even hit the mass, the activation code has already been cracked. How are they going to ensure IT consumers what come next. I can only say more attacks and more patchs.

Edited December 18, 2006 by Thaising

[francois]

hi'

the work around is well known, it works on XP as well, the activation of XP changed too,

you need to validate before to be able to log in

just reboot in safe mode and patch what has to be patched

francois

[cdnvic]

Buying legit software works too

So sick of people stealing Windows then crying about how something doesn't work. If you don't want to pay, learn how to use Linux or another open source OS.

[kayo]

also, and som nam naa, imho, one of the new "cracks" for vista is actually a trojan Virus or something...

[h90]

Buying legit software works too

So sick of people stealing Windows then crying about how something doesn't work. If you don't want to pay, learn how to use Linux or another open source OS.

stealing is the wrong word. Stealing would mean that someone other does not has it anymore.

When I steal you mobile phone, you don't have it anymore. If I steal your WinXP you still have your WinXP.

So it is using it without paying for it.

If I would use a pirated WinXP I may realy cheat Microsoft for the money.

If have on my computer software collected for 200.000 USD I don't cheat them 200.000 because I could never pay that.

Or if Somchai installs Office Microsoft does not loose any money because he could never buy an original.

So Somchai is not making any damage if he writes a love letter for his girlfriend on the PanThip Microsoft office.

[Thai-Spy]

Buying legit software works too

So sick of people stealing Windows then crying about how something doesn't work. If you don't want to pay, learn how to use Linux or another open source OS.

stealing is the wrong word. Stealing would mean that someone other does not has it anymore.

When I steal you mobile phone, you don't have it anymore. If I steal your WinXP you still have your WinXP.

So it is using it without paying for it.

If I would use a pirated WinXP I may realy cheat Microsoft for the money.

If have on my computer software collected for 200.000 USD I don't cheat them 200.000 because I could never pay that.

Or if Somchai installs Office Microsoft does not loose any money because he could never buy an original.

So Somchai is not making any damage if he writes a love letter for his girlfriend on the PanThip Microsoft office.

Then if you go on vacation, you will have no objection if we use your place as a leper colony? And brush the dog's teeth with your toothbrush? Nothing will actually be taken from your room, I promise. You won't actually be losing your property, it will merely be used in a way you probably do not approve of.

When some one creates (or hires someone else to create) a work product, they have the right to determine who will gain the benefits of that work product at whatever price they deem fit.

Your Somchai could in fact afford Microsoft Office if he set aside a few dollars a week towards its purchase, or got store credit, or came to some other arrangement. The fact that there is whole culture of theft which enables him to take the easy way does not make his actions right or make him anything better than a thief.

[cdnvic]

Somchai can also get a second hand copy of Linux for Dummies, and send away for free Ubuntu cds (easy as Windows to install and use), or get any Linux or FreeBSD distribution downloaded and burnt to a cd for less than 50baht at some shops.

[nikster]

Buying legit software works too

So sick of people stealing Windows then crying about how something doesn't work. If you don't want to pay, learn how to use Linux or another open source OS.

I am sick of software that doesn't work. Software that chooses to annoy me, the paying customer, for no reason other than to benefit the company I bought it from.

That's why I have to spend countless hours doing support for my windows-based friends.

A friend asked me for help when his XP activation just failed to verify. It was a legal copy with original license and everything - came pre-installed in the laptop from back in the UK. I finally found an article in the MS knowledge base that explained how to fix it - it involved replacing some DLLs (!!) and hacking around in the registry! A few months later, he had the problem again and I had to look up the steps once more, rebooting to no end etc.

WGA is a shitty scheme that doesn't work, and I don't expect the one in Vista to be any better.

PS: I do have a legal copy of XP. The question is just, why didn't I get a CD-ROM with XP on it for the money I paid, so I can install it on any machine I like? Let's imagine my laptop died, and I buy a new one. Why do I have to pay for a new license of XP as well? I thought I already purchased a license?! It's a huge scam.

Edited December 19, 2006 by nikster

[cdnvic]

When you buy it from Microsoft you get the disk, some OEM vendors you need to request one from (or pay 10 or 20 dollars in some cases). This can besolved by asking "Do I get a Windows Disk with this machine?" before you buy. If the product validation fails, call Microsoft Support with the info from you certificate of authenticity and it'll be sorted in five minutes.

In any case, this all has nothing to do with stealing software. If you don't like the reliability or service you get from a certain product, go to another product. Just like if you think Nissan makes crappy cars, you buy a Toyota instead. You don't go out and steal a crappy Nissan.

If you don't like Windows, don't use it.

[pitrevie]

When you buy it from Microsoft you get the disk, some OEM vendors you need to request one from (or pay 10 or 20 dollars in some cases). This can besolved by asking "Do I get a Windows Disk with this machine?" before you buy. If the product validation fails, call Microsoft Support with the info from you certificate of authenticity and it'll be sorted in five minutes.

In any case, this all has nothing to do with stealing software. If you don't like the reliability or service you get from a certain product, go to another product. Just like if you think Nissan makes crappy cars, you buy a Toyota instead. You don't go out and steal a crappy Nissan.

If you don't like Windows, don't use it.

I wish you were right about it being sorted in 5 minutes but that has not been my experience calling Microsoft to get a new activation code. I find that after a couple of years my machine gets so screwed up that I want to format and start again. Following my last experience of trying to get the activation code with calls dropping out and listening to interminable messages I am reluctant to attempt a new load. Oh for the good old days when I could just load my serial number from my genuine version of Windows.

[cdnvic]

Oh for the good old days when I could just load my serial number from my genuine version of Windows.

Unfortunately some people have ruined that for everyone else.

[h90]

Buying legit software works too

So sick of people stealing Windows then crying about how something doesn't work. If you don't want to pay, learn how to use Linux or another open source OS.

stealing is the wrong word. Stealing would mean that someone other does not has it anymore.

When I steal you mobile phone, you don't have it anymore. If I steal your WinXP you still have your WinXP.

So it is using it without paying for it.

If I would use a pirated WinXP I may realy cheat Microsoft for the money.

If have on my computer software collected for 200.000 USD I don't cheat them 200.000 because I could never pay that.

Or if Somchai installs Office Microsoft does not loose any money because he could never buy an original.

So Somchai is not making any damage if he writes a love letter for his girlfriend on the PanThip Microsoft office.

Then if you go on vacation, you will have no objection if we use your place as a leper colony? And brush the dog's teeth with your toothbrush? Nothing will actually be taken from your room, I promise. You won't actually be losing your property, it will merely be used in a way you probably do not approve of.

When some one creates (or hires someone else to create) a work product, they have the right to determine who will gain the benefits of that work product at whatever price they deem fit.

Your Somchai could in fact afford Microsoft Office if he set aside a few dollars a week towards its purchase, or got store credit, or came to some other arrangement. The fact that there is whole culture of theft which enables him to take the easy way does not make his actions right or make him anything better than a thief.

your example is not good, because my toothbrush will not be exactly the same as before. If your neighbour Somchai is installing from your original office cd again on his computer, is your office working worse.

The example would be more like: you paint a beautifull picture, Somchai is making a photo from it and puts the photo on his wall in his house. Your picture does not loose any value.

Does Microsoft has any damage, as if he would not install it he would install open office instead. Just checked on Amazon.de Office Standard is 550 Euro, approx. 26.400 Baht which is for a normal office staff a 2-3 month salary.

How much do you earn per month? Say you earn 2.500 USD per month, could you buy office 2007 for 7000 USD?

Of course the right way would be if Somchai would install Linux and Open Office.

But if using pirated software he is not stealing anything. Everyone still have what they had before.

In that case that he could never buy original there is also no financial loose for Microsoft.

[cdnvic]

I can't believe all the justifications people make for stealing when it's not something of theirs being ripped off. You've obviously never done anything for a living that involved creativity or intellectual property. People who do understand that expertise, and knowlage have value and is worthy of compensation. Unfortunately they get ripped off alot by people who come up with all kinds of excuses about big bad corporations, or second rate software, or anything else that they feel excuses them from being dishonest, thieving people who would don't feel like paying for it if someone isn't forcing them to. (Says alot about the quality of their upbringing) Either that or they are just too lazy or too stupid to learn how to use one of the hundred or so free operating systems out there.

[friend2]

M$ are so proud of their latest OS and how secured it have, now before they even hit the mass, the activation code has already been cracked. How are they going to ensure IT consumers what come next. I can only say more attacks and more patchs.

That is not an correct statement.

The activation codes have never been cracked.

Interesting to note is that a "validation generator" was actually never

made for XP.

I mean you never seen a keygen that can produce validation codes

for phone activation.

What we had was the corporate that doesn't need it, and the wpa kill thingy.

(and also student version that came later)

In Vista, all versions now need validation, so the corporate thingy is useless

for that purpose alone.

I guess in the end it has to be some kinda wpakill thingy again, cause a phone activation key generator, I don't think we are gonna see.

They couldn't make it for XP, so I doubt we'll see it for Vista.

It's the wholy grail of activation hacks...

So far microsoft has the upper hand.

The intention was to stop software pirates from illegally copying the software

and mass distribute/sell it.

With the cracks/solutions avaliable today, that's simply not possible.

The whole install procedure and validation bypass has to be much simpler,

and more compact, for the pirates to be able to make money on it.

Today you need to be half a computer expert to use the "solutions"

floating around, and some of them don't work at all.

Can't take things like that to the black market.

The day we get a "click and install" Vista validated, that day Microsoft will crap in it's pants.

Again, I'm not condoning software piracy, just giving you some educational purposes facts.

Edited December 19, 2006 by friend2

[richard10365]

I think we all have the sins we think we can live with.

For some people, picking up a girl and taking her home at night for a good time is ok. For others, premaritial sex is a big sin. Other people think it's ok to speed down the road or to have a drink or two before getting behind the wheel of a car or drive a motorcycle. Even cursing in sin if you ask my mom. Some people even use software without permission.

The sin you choose to live with is up to you. What makes one person mad, the other person could care less. Before you condem a person to lawlessness, you should take account of your own deeds and ask yourself just how righteous is the life you lead?

If all sin is equal, I guess we're all doomed and going to hel_l.

[friend2]

I'd take a different spin on this whole matter.

I think part of the reason windows became so popular ,(and made microsoft a lot of money), is the fact that it could be easily copied/pirated and installed.

Millions and millions of people are using pirated Windows.

Here in Thailand, most government office computers are also pirated !

I know this for a fact, cause I service many of them in my work.

The local police station, is all pirated to. (belive it or not)

If all these people had to buy it, I only think a small portion would.

Instead they'd go for a freebie alternative such as linux etc

That would undoubtedly make windows a less appealing OS, and probably most corporations (and people who can afford it) wouldn't be using it as much as they do today.

[cdnvic]

I think we all have the sins we think we can live with.

For some people, picking up a girl and taking her home at night for a good time is ok. For others, premaritial sex is a big sin. Other people think it's ok to speed down the road or to have a drink or two before getting behind the wheel of a car or drive a motorcycle. Even cursing in sin if you ask my mom. Some people even use software without permission.

You can live with being a thief if you like. You're using software without consent. If you use the girl the same way it's a crime too.

A justification that it's ok to steal because someone drives drunk? That's just stupid.

Edited December 19, 2006 by cdnvic

[Firefoxx]

The law is easy to follow and support with all your heart when you're a westerner living a western lifestyle on a western paycheck. It's not so easy to support wholeheartedly when the cost of a required piece of software costs more than a year's salary, when knowledge this software is nearly *required* even if you can't afford it. Westerners tend to have a different mindset. Give away all your money and assets and live out the rest of your life like any other 3rd-worlder, and see how that changes your opinions.

[francois]

Oh for the good old days when I could just load my serial number from my genuine version of Windows.

Unfortunately some people have ruined that for everyone else.

hi'

for sure !

my Xp pro is a genuine one and if vista comes in it will be same !

I just remember the time when Suse was not "so" free, I paid the small licence fee,

and all this just for a good support from the OS makers(updates, etc ...)

sure you may crack it, but then all soft you run are cracked?

it's not a clean attitude

at least ths OS, Antivirus, Firewall, and for the rest it's your choice

I only have a macromedia suite patched, coz the price is really crasy, but if I get work enough with it, I'll pay for it

let's be fair with devellopers for once, even if don't like MS, so in this case why do you complain about?

use an alternatice OS and get yourself free of ranting MS ...

btw, office has the same treatment that Xp and Vista time to swap to Open Office 2.1

just one more word, lately MS and Novell Suse had an agreement ...

technologies goes on ...

francois

[Richard-BKK]

Sorry but I really hate people who steal software, the excuse there is nothing else, is so cheap and stupid. It is not only that stealing is wrong, I'm sure everybody can agree on that.

But where do you stop with not paying, you think it is okay to illegally use Microsoft stuf, but then you buy a CD at Panthip and it has a nice small picture/movie viewer (great works with everything), on the CD is even the serial number. Cool, the software cost only 10 US$, but I bet you not even look or try to find out how to pay. In the end this small software developer give up, income is not enough to pay the electric bill and yes knowing that enormes amount of people using your software. (This is speaking out of personal experience)

The other side of using Microsoft Windows software is that other software platforms not get a chance to develop, in the end Microsoft will find a way to block illegal copies and then yes there is nothing to fall back on. Not need to cry because it is you who is to blame.

Linux give very good alternatives, works even faster on the same hardware. Other option is buy a cheap MS Windows 2000 Pro license, I bough one on a Hong Kong dump market for around 200 Baht (was just the book, with license sticker)

Everybody is talking about upgrading to Windows Vista, but I'm thinking of down-grading to Windows 2000. Windows 2000 runs all programs I can ever need, including the latest games. Games even better, Win 2K uses a serious amount of memory less then Windows XP or not even to talk about Windows Vista. Windows Vista needs everything top of the line to only run itself. I test my g/f SIM 2 game..... Not need to try, with all the 5 SIM pack's installed it takes around 1 hour to get anything and then every click is 10 minutes more waiting.

This is on a AMD XP 64 3000, with 1GB memory, 80GB SATA HDD and 128MB FX-5200U VGA card.... Okay not super but still what most of you have at home, with Windows 2000 Pro the SIM game starts like I run the fastes computer available.

[Tony Clifton]

A war Microsoft will never win. Let home users enjoy an operating system for free. How much ground have they lost to Linux and others so far? Will they lose more and more? The operation of pc or laptop for home users should be the same as when you buy a DVD player, a tv, car stereo, mp3 player, a car, a <deleted>' blender, microwave or washing machine.

[britmaveric]

You mean you have to buy software?

[francois]

some

francois

[cdnvic]

How much ground have they lost to Linux and others so far? Will they lose more and more?

Combined results of the last 3000 visitors to three sites of mine:

2% Unix variants (Linux/FreeBSD/BSD)

10% Mac (all OS's)

1% Unknown (I'm certain these are Vista betas the counters don't recognise yet)

87% Windows (NT/98/Me/2000/2003/XP)

I don't see much threat from Linux yet.

[kayo]

Look lads, at the end of the day, this shouldn't become a debate about how has legit s/w and who doesn't and all themorals behind it.

I think the initial point was, if you DO have illegit software (illegit as perceived by the majority, in corporate terms) then don't go whining about how you don't get the back up /support from the company.

Additionally, a lot of people are having probs with new Legit software, on a system that is cram packed full of prior, illegit software, and they now have probs, and blame it on the new software.

Duh?!

I think that's the bottom line here.

2baht.

For your perusal:

I've had legit software installed on my machines for years. I've never had to pay, as one of the few employers I have always takes care of it, and formats my machines every few years, registered in my name.

i more often use, for day to day use, use downloadable freeware programs, despite this. Personal preferences.

Having said that, I share music. Not for personal monetary gain, but to share.

Sometimes I receive something that is horrendous. Or very good, but completely badly attributed (wrong information about the track).

But I delete it, and don't go seeking someone to blame.

[friend2]

The law is easy to follow and support with all your heart when you're a westerner living a western lifestyle on a western paycheck. It's not so easy to support wholeheartedly when the cost of a required piece of software costs more than a year's salary, when knowledge this software is nearly *required* even if you can't afford it. Westerners tend to have a different mindset. Give away all your money and assets and live out the rest of your life like any other 3rd-worlder, and see how that changes your opinions.

You hit the nail on the head with that comment.

Most of us foreigners could easily afford to buy our softwarez, not so with the rest of the world.

Here in Thailand the choice often goes like this:

Parents have to buy a computer for their children, as these days it is an requirement to

further your studies. (in almost every field).

Fact:Almost all classroom computers in Thailand are windows based.

So what do they need ?

Without a doubt, a Windows operating system not to mention the hardware.

If they choose to do this the legal way, the big expenditure of getting a functioning

computer, with all the neccessary tools is just a pipe dream.

It just wont happen.

A typical "thai" computer is usually in the 20.000 baht range.

Anything over that, and it's already out of reach for most middle class thais to afford.

For 20.000 baht you get a pretty decent computer.

If you want the same computer fully legit, were talking 40-50.000 baht.

And that's only with the basic stuff such as XP,Office,Power DVD and perhaps photoshop.

I think Thai politicians are fully aware of this, and that's why they rather look the other way,

than to enforce the law in this matter.

(They do inforce it to some extent though on commercial and corporate users).

But not their own government and police stations ha ha lol

I do think microsoft is not going to be as successful with Vista as they were with previous

OS'es, simply because the fact that a large majority of people will be "locked out finacially"

if the anti pirating measures are successful.

There will only be a small click of corporate users (and some westerners) that'll use it in the end.

I'm totally convinced, this is how it will end up.

Like it or not, the "old" windowses were easy to copy, and Microsoft made loads of cash out of it.

Changing strategy, and starting to look for dollar signs in the pirated market will undoubtedly

bite them back in the ass.

[Firefoxx]

In case anyone is thinking of it, 3rd world countries are not the end-all or kings of piracy. Piracy was rampant (and causing problems for legit users) since before computers were common in the third world (if anyone will remember diskettes, copy protection, Locksmith?).

As for whether MS's protection will work with vista, I highly doubt it. XP was supposed to be very good at this, with its activation and all, yet it's been broken time and again. It's only a matter of time, and I doubt that it will be long, before it's just as easy to install and use illegitimately as XP. There are too many hackers out there who made this their single goal in life.

As to the subject of software that you pay for being *good*, that's not really the case. I've seen lots of high-dollar popular software released in a totally bug-ridden state, horrible to use(initial releases of MS OS's are a good example). Lots of free software can outdo commercial software, too. The price of the software is not linked to its quality.

[The Coder]

Locksmith...I miss the Apple ][ era. Or how about copyIIpc.exe in the IBM PC era? In those days it was all about making a perfect copy of the software. The battlefield has changed and there is a significant development in cracks that will be astonishing at how it might demolish piracy in my estimation. Hackers are not just cracking software these days, but now came up with the bright idea to at the same time put in back doors so they can control your PC for sending spam, install key loggers, steal your passwords, bypass firewalls, and basically be able make big money from anyone who uses their cracks; identity theft, credit cards, you name it. You can imagine the big bucks a hacker can make by selling their crack to organized crime who scrubs PC's for data. Since cracks are totally illegal, how will you really know whether it is a "legitimate" crack ok or not? Open source cracks maybe? I sure don't want any cracks running on my system.

[friend2]

Funny thing to, how the new piracy measures are affecting legitimate users as well.

I've seen literally drows of people failing to pass the wga crap, despite having legally bought

software.

A support ticket at MS works for some, but not all.

Getting automatic updates nowadays is not a good idea either, (unless you know what to do) if you're on a pirated system.

So most people simply turn it off.

End result: Virus writers are having a field day !

Soon there will be hundreds of thousands of "drones" out there spreading all kinds of crap

and putting networks under load.

This affects not only the illegitimate users, but the legitimate as well.

[Simmo]

How much ground have they lost to Linux and others so far? Will they lose more and more?

None.

In the mid 90's , desktop market share was 90% Windows, 7% Mac & 3% others.

Fast forward ten years andit's about the same with Mac gaining a little recently.

Linux has made been big gains in the server market though in that time..