Windows will frisk your computer for illegal software

[Bogie]

Bill Gates will be frisking you with a simple point and click
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

The next time you visit the website of Microsoft Corp. to download some software, be prepared to let the world's biggest software company have a look inside your computer.

In a determined strike to quell the proliferation of counterfeit software, beginning today, Microsoft will require that all customers coming to its website for upgrades and other downloads submit their computers to an electronic frisking.

Full story - click below
Bill Gates will be frisking you with a simple point and click (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050726.wxmicrosoft0726/BNStory/International/)

[Digiital]

You KNOW whats going to happen, vulnerabilities are going to come out, and any fixed MS makes will not be applied to every PC out there and the spread is just going to go NUTS

[Deb]

Customers who cannot provide proof of purchase but file a piracy report will receive a substantial discount on a legitimate version of the operating system

Aah, so the people who "legitimately" stole it get a major discount while the rest of us knobs paid full retail :mad:

[Bogie]

Aah, so the people who "legitimately" stole it get a major discount while the rest of us knobs paid full retail :mad: Yes, but ya gotta squeal with details about where you got it from.

[Bogie]

You KNOW whats going to happen, vulnerabilities are going to come out, and any fixed MS makes will not be applied to every PC out there and the spread is just going to go NUTS You got it right there! This has already been predicted by many in the tech industry - most of us saw this coming.

[Deb]

All I see happening here is that rival shops will be making false reports on each other. Wonder what they're going to do about false reporting :ntm: How do they expect you to squeal when you have no proof??

[Jimbo282]

You KNOW whats going to happen, vulnerabilities are going to come out, and any fixed MS makes will not be applied to every PC out there and the spread is just going to go NUTS

Well people will still be able to download the security patches so there won't be tons of unprotected pc's.

"If Microsoft deems a PC to be carrying contraband code, it won't allow a user to download Microsoft programs, with the exception of security patches."

[Bogie]

If I read this right, then MS will scan your box for illegal MS software copies. I presume not just the OS, but any other MS software, such as MS Office, that may be "illegal".

[Digiital]

Problem is, if people think or know that MS is going to take a peak at your system they will not visit the MS Update site just to prevent MS from scanning their system and of course not download the patches.



Well people will still be able to download the security patches so there won't be tons of unprotected pc's.

"If Microsoft deems a PC to be carrying contraband code, it won't allow a user to download Microsoft programs, with the exception of security patches."

[Digiital]

I got that understanding as well. All the more reason to start using Open Office for starters :)


If I read this right, then MS will scan your box for illegal MS software copies. I presume not just the OS, but any other MS software, such as MS Office, that may be "illegal".

[Bogie]

Well people will still be able to download the security patches so there won't be tons of unprotected pc's.

"If Microsoft deems a PC to be carrying contraband code, it won't allow a user to download Microsoft programs, with the exception of security patches." This is contradictory to other MS press releases about updating security on a pirated OS. If I recall, if the pirated OS is part of a specific group of "keys" that are prevalent in the wild, and responsible for many of the illegal copies of Windows, then the security patches won't be updated either.

[Bogie]

I got that understanding as well. All the more reason to start using Open Office for starters :) Correct. A lot of focus is placed on the OS, but that is not the greatest cost to many users. The MS Office cost makes the Windows OS look inexpensive. OEM Windows XP Home is only about $112 to $121 (just need to also purchase hardware that qualifies to allow the OEM purchase). MS Office, or just elements of it (Word for example), cost more than the operating system does.

[Digiital]

Thats Easy. Just generate a new key :)

I was just thinking. There is away to get a valid key. But I won't go into details here, don't want to give anyone any ideas, but. Lets just say, that most people work with a system with a valid key almost everyday. Enough said.




This is contradictory to other MS press releases about updating security on a pirated OS. If I recall, if the pirated OS is part of a specific group of "keys" that are prevalent in the wild, and responsible for many of the illegal copies of Windows, then the security patches won't be updated either.

[Bogie]

If MS is successful is doing this "frisking", then be prepared for other software manufacturers to do the same. Norton and McAfee, for example, stopping updates to the AV engine and database.

[Bogie]

Thats Easy. Just generate a new key :)
I was just thinking. There is away to get a valid key. But I won't go into details here, don't want to give anyone any ideas, but. Lets just say, that most people work with a system with a valid key almost everyday. Enough said. Yes, quite true (maybe, as not enough details are known about this validation process MS is using starting today), but there is a very minor percentage of illegal users that would know how to do it. I would hazard far less than 1%. MS will concentrate on the 99%+ side of things.

[Bogie]

From cNet:

The only exception is for security-related patches. Regardless of whether a system passes the test, security updates will be available to all Windows users via either manual download or automatic update. The Microsoft Update and Windows Update utilities, which provide notifications of new patches, will require validation.

In other words, "Yes" you can have security updates, but "No" you can't. Only illegal OS users, who know how to access updates, manually, will be able to do it. Again, the 1%, or less, of users.

[Digiital]

I think it's more like they are going to go after the HOME versions, or the none CORP versions.


Yes, quite true (maybe, as not enough details are known about this validation process MS is using starting today), but there is a very minor percentage of illegal users that would know how to do it. I would hazard far less than 1%. MS will concentrate on the 99%+ side of things.

[Jimbo282]

From that blurb I read that running automatic update you will be frisked as well??

[Digiital]

Correct


From that blurb I read that running automatic update you will be frisked as well??

[Digiital]

Ok boys and girls, problem solved. No need to run MS's app to check to see what patches you need:
http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=29459&category=software

[Bogie]

"Resistance is futile, you will be assimulated"

All this rhetoric aside, MS is protecting the sale of their legal intellectual property rights. An understandable business move.

Any client/customer I have, or come across, that is using a pirated Windows OS, I have successfully convinced to start fresh with a legal copy of the Windows OS. For most it has been a relief to finally be "legal".

The illegal copies of Windows had become so commonplace, that it is "acceptable" by so many people, like file-sharing music. Individuals, and many small to medium companies, have been using pirated copies - some unknowingly.

[Bluvertigo]

Does everyone follow Microsofts end-user license agreement ?

[Bogie]

Does everyone follow Microsofts end-user license agreement ? Has anybody read it? ... LOL

Do you mean anything specific in the EULA?

[Fezzik]

"Resistance is futile, you will be assimulated"

All this rhetoric aside, MS is protecting the sale of their legal intellectual property rights. An understandable business move.

Any client/customer I have, or come across, that is using a pirated Windows OS, I have successfully convinced to start fresh with a legal copy of the Windows OS. For most it has been a relief to finally be "legal".

The illegal copies of Windows had become so commonplace, that it is "acceptable" by so many people, like file-sharing music. Individuals, and many small to medium companies, have been using pirated copies - some unknowingly.


I have no problem with MS trying to protect themselves but the article mentioned that they are gathering more info than they actually need to determine if you are running a pirated copy.

I'm so sick of companies prying into places that they don't belong!

Fezz

[Bogie]

I have no problem with MS trying to protect themselves but the article mentioned that they are gathering more info than they actually need to determine if you are running a pirated copy.
I'm so sick of companies prying into places that they don't belong!
Fezz
That's why I mentioned "If they are successful ...". It will be interesting to monitor how the various court challenges, and PR "challenges", go on this one - and I am sure they will follow shortly. Even if the intentions are targeted at cutting back on piracy, it is an invasion of privacy without a warrant. The "potential" for personal information being gathered is possible - after all, MS creates the Windows OS that runs your computer.

[Roman]

Speaking of theft, maybe someone should investigate Microsoft to see what pirated software (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Allegedly-stolen-Excel-technology-takes-Microsoft-to-court-2086.shtml) they are in possesion of. This isn't the only instance where MS has been accused of stealing.

[Bluvertigo]

New "key" mandatory in Windows for updates


In a shift toward greater monitoring of personal computer systems and potentially less copying of software, Microsoft will require users to let the company place a software "key" on their systems if they want the free, regular system updates it provides.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002402071_microsoft26.html

[smirnoff]

i can understand the reason they have done it but not the method.
its likely to get them in trouble for staters and its not remotely effective.

you can turn the adon off in internet exploer and download updates like you would normaly do.

[Just Doug1]

Bill Gates will be frisking you with a simple point and click
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

The next time you visit the website of Microsoft Corp. to download some software, be prepared to let the world's biggest software company have a look inside your computer.

In a determined strike to quell the proliferation of counterfeit software, beginning today, Microsoft will require that all customers coming to its website for upgrades and other downloads submit their computers to an electronic frisking.

Full story - click below
Bill Gates will be frisking you with a simple point and click (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050726.wxmicrosoft0726/BNStory/International/)

I had to get an update for XP and bypassed the validation with a simple click. No big deal.

[superman]

this is going to lead to people going to apple.

[rcdraft]

Avoid - updating -->Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)

[smirnoff]

more like linux.

apple is no shineing light in this area either.

[Bluvertigo]

Microsoft has started implementing Windows Genuine Advantage Validation in its software.

Here is an example: Internet Explorer 7 Beta 1 (Developer)

[networkguy]

All it is, I'm sure, is a check to see if your serial number is vaild and not illegal.

NG

[Digiital]

http://it.slashdot.org/it/05/07/28/1655234.shtml?tid=201&tid=172&tid=218

Microsoft Genuine Advantage Cracked in 24 Hours


Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" cracked in 24h: window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all'
AV sez, "This week, Microsoft started requiring users to verifiy their serial number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy XP or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called 'Genuine Advantage.' It was cracked within 24 hours."
Before pressing 'Custom' or 'Express' buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:
javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')

It turns off the trigger for the key check.

[DreamLord34]

What do they mean "next" to the address bar? Don't they mean IN the address bar?
Either way it doesn't work.

[rcdraft]

Cut out--> http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us, now should be empty, now type or paste --> (script removed - TCM cannot provide this kind of information to our members)

[DreamLord34]

Like I said, that does not work.
The genuine validation thing still comes up after doing that & clicking express or custom.
I also canceled the download of that software but it still downloaded & installed.
I'm also using IE7.

[novabus726]

I was quite worried about the Windows Genuine thingy at first, but luckily I have my 2nd OS on my operating system in case the lads of M$ is "strictly enforcing" the Genuine Advantage system. I have 2nd OS, Mandriva.

Also, will the WGA system be be implemented in Sp3?

[Tim]

more like linux.

apple is no shineing light in this area either.

I donno man. I got apples and I don't know at all what the hell you guys are talking about. I don't even have a key for my OS...

:D