Watch Out Win 7 Hackers

[Steve R Jones]

This may cause some 'problems' for people with cracked Windows installations:

Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7

In the coming days, we’ll be deploying a new update for Windows Activation Technologies, the set of built-in activation and validation components built into Windows 7. Called Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7, this update will detect more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits. Activation exploits are sometimes called “hacks”, and attempt to bypass or compromise Windows’ activation technologies. This new update is further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to keeping customers and partners secure. The update will determine whether Windows 7 installed on a PC is genuine and will better protect customers’ PCs by making sure that the integrity of key licensing components remains intact.

[RealBeast]

I wouldn't think that many people with hacked Win 7 do updates anyway, but it sounds like a good idea -- unless it screws up my genuine installs that is.

Is there any way to allow automatic updates, but delayed a few weeks to insure that the updates are okay other than periodic manual updates? Maybe MS should put that into SP1, although I guess that would be admitting an occasional bad update.

[fluffmonster]

Ha! Labeling it as a "security" need. much amuse.

[Adisharr]

Ha! Labeling it as a "security" need. much amuse.

Yeah that's quite the load of crap lol.

[dyne]

This is a totally voluntary update though isn't it?

[Steve R Jones]

From the link provided above:

I’d like to stress that the Update is voluntary, which means that you can choose not to install it when you see it appear on Windows Update. I also want to stress that installing this update will not jeopardize your privacy; although the update contacts Microsoft’s servers to check for new threats as I outline below, the information we receive from PCs during these checks does not include any personally identifiable information or any other information that Microsoft can use to identify or contact you.

[ua549]

I'll add that a large number of pirated OS installations are on systems purchased from a local builder where the user has no idea the software is not legit. I encounter this issue often when doing volunteer tech support.

[wh666-666]

If MS put half the effort in to anti-piracy as they do programming, their OS's would be light years ahead.


Also MS are idiots. If they sold their OS for a reasonable price, they would get many more sales and actually make more money.

Shame they're such greedy pigs, they're only destroying their own company.

[Geforce255]

If MS put half the effort in to anti-piracy as they do programming, their OS's would be light years ahead.

Yet Windows 7 IS light years ahead of the next best. (Ubuntu - IMHO)

I don't miss the days of Apple, Commodore, TRS-80, KayPro - nothing works with anything else. One BIG reason I detest the Mac - a return to proprietary crap.

DOS was the great unifier of all things computer, Windows keeps things unified.

[Steve R Jones]

If MS put half the effort in to anti-piracy as they do programming, their OS's would be light years ahead.


Also MS are idiots. If they sold their OS for a reasonable price, they would get many more sales and actually make more money.

Shame they're such greedy pigs, they're only destroying their own company.

Which OS do you use in every pc? Please don't say Windows - cause we'll ALL Laugh real real hard if you do

[wh666-666]

None. I use varied OS's in all my PC's as all have their different strengths and weaknesses either by design or market dictation.

I use macs, windows (various versions) and flavours of linux dependant on the job. Id use windows a lot less if it werent for gaming and having to support windows for work.






Im rather dissapointed steve and geforce ignore the issue at heart. One of my colleagues is a MS fanboy and actually agrees.

The reason why windows is pirated so much is because its so expensive. £200 for an OS is just ridiculous. If they came nearer students prices for all, lets say £20-£50 you wouldnt get anywhere near the same amount as pirating.

That's because most humans follow the dictate of expense versus effort.

If a product costs them £20 or they can steal it by downloading and hogging all their internet bandwith for a few hours, then burning it to disc, then virus scanning it and if corrupt or infected downloading a different copy, burning to disc, installing and applying cracks correctly, then most people would decide its not worth all that hassle and their time and heartache is more valuable and just buy it.

When it costs £200 however, many consider that to be too high and some cant even afford it. Thats when the effort of stealing it is more appealing than paying for it legally.



For you guys, Il try to find a recent study which linked what we consider our resources or time to be worth, it came out just over minimum wage, where most respondants/participants consider their time to be more valuable than just paying for a product for example.





With this in mind, if OS prices were fairer, they wouldnt need to bother with anti-piracy efforts to the same draconian level, just make it so most people think "f**k this, Il just go and buy a copy". They dont seem to realise that every time they try to stop people pirating their system, it doesnt work.

MS appear to be physcopaths under a mass illusion that no-one outside of their company posesses diagnostic and programming skills. Every time they try to stop pirating, someone figures out how and evades a way around it, then others try to make it easier and more automated for the common thief.


Anyway as I said before, if MS stopped all this anti piracy crap and spent the money on development, their OS's would be even more advanced than they already are (if you prefer that wording to my previous wording)

[Steve R Jones]

I get it NOW...Thanks....If I don't want to spend my hard earned cash on a new Netbook - all I have to do is steal yours

I spent 18 seconds and came to the conclusion that any price over five US Dollars is TOO MUCH for one of those little stuipd things.

So what's your address again?

[wh666-666]

I get it NOW...Thanks....If I don't want to spend my hard earned cash on a new Netbook - all I have to do is steal yours

I spent 18 seconds and came to the conclusion that any price over five US Dollars is TOO MUCH for one of those little stuipd things.

So what's your address again?

What you've said makes no sense. Maybe you should try reading my post again.


I said a REASONABLE price for a piece of software, not stealing or theft. Can you actually read?

Hardware is different and has a resale value as well. Software once opened has little or no resale.


The point still remains, if you make it a price where people would be willing to pay for it, you wont have to worry about piracy. Its a problem created by MS's greed.

[wh666-666]

PS: Also I never condoned piracy and called it what it is, theft. I just said how piracy could be minimised.

[Steve R Jones]

I think the price for Windows & as an example is fair and reasonable. And this is espicially true when I think about the expense versus effort value...I know it'd take me a really really really long time to build my own OS....