Posted on 12/17/2006 4:40:37 PM PST by MikefromOhio
Microsoft updates Vista in latest piracy crackdown
'Frankenbuild' update detects tampering of Vista code that would let users work around the OS' built-in activation system
Microsoft on Thursday 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.
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.
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
Funny how we're expanding our use of Linux where I'm at....
LOL
Friggin Iggle, always wrong.
So when Vista bombs and Micro$$$$$oft is forced to cut you loo$e, who is going to pay for your double-wide??
Actually, the bulk of that HP contract is Unix, but they already have many long term deals in place to provide Windows licensing.
But last time you attempted this discussion, you were confused about the difference between Linux and Unix, and finally had to admit the "trusted workstation" you were using was Sun Solaris, and not Linux. LMAO.
I don't know about you, but I don't particularly care for the idea of my OS 'calling home', giving my details to MS. I don't like the idea of media players checking copyrights before playing audio and video files. I also don't like having to do the good ol' Genuine Advantage check, that requires relaxed security settings to function, on my computer in order to obtain software to fix an inherently insecure product. I don't like having a catastrophic hardware failure, reinstalling on another box, and having to contact a call center to have my license freed before I can install the software(which I paid for) onto another box.
I no longer have any of those burdens. If you don't mind them, that's your choice. Just bend over, assume the position, and enjoy your computer.
Have a nice day....
You can turn all that off, so it isn't being "pushed" on anyone.
LOL
only in your little world would you think that I was confused.
Believe me I'm not nor was I ever confused.
You seem to be the one who is confused.
Like how you are confused that your doublewide is a "3 story on the water" and that your mom "is a beauty queen who still rates a solid 9"....
LOL
Supposedly DOD is going to a trusted workstation archetecture.
Unfortunately there are idiots like Iggle standing in the way of getting it done.
If they find a hole they don't have to wait for M$ to release a patch they can fix it themselves.
Exactly.
And believe me, Vista will have holes galore when it's released.
But in the abstract, that's not such a bad thing, DOD will be forced to shut off the NIPRNET from the Internet, meaning no surfing and limited email going into the commercial world.
Less surfing means less screw around time, meaning more gets done. It also means fewer posts from Iggle.
How do I "turn off" the 'feature' that requires me to contact a call center when I have a hardware failure and reinstall on another box? How do I not have to have Genuine Advantage installed and enabled to download essential software?
I know it isn't being pushed on me(cough), but I dammed well better go along with it if I want to use the product :P
I believe I CAN 'turn off' DRM checks on media before playing. I guess there's at least some truth to your post in that regard.
Well that is half the fun of micro$$$oft product$...
Getting the OS out of the way so that the programs work halfway like they are supposed too...
:)
You were and still are confused, if not outright lying.
Here's the post where you tried to claim the Air Force "trusted workstations" were Linux:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1683750/posts?page=178#178
LOL at Mike constantly defending his foreign freeware, even when he has to make up BS.
Good, since that is what you orginally said.
This is further evidence that the sort of "strap on programming" that is popular with American companies these days is doomed to failure. By this I mean the sort of "hack and whack" style where companies bolt things together, never refactor, and generally do whatever the minimum is to make it work. I lump outsourcing in with this trend.
The existing Windows architecture is not modular and does not lend itself to independent development teams. Because of this, as they had to scale the development operation up, they ran into problems even producing a stable build. Their answer to this was to implement draconian code check-in rules and procedure that slowed the process down even more. What they should have done instead was to throw the existing code base out, start afresh, and then build a compatibility layer on top to support all the existing code -- just like Apple has done twice now and even Microsoft has done with the WoW technology first appearing Windows NT.
Microsoft has plenty of very innovative and quality products outside of the Windows group. They are also a pleasure to deal with compare to arrogant and pushy vendors like Apple and IBM. I for one hope that they can learn a lesson from this and produce a quality operating system in the future.
That last statement was out of sarcasm. You've fallen from arguing the merits to parsing words. I'm sure there are other Microsoft related threads for you to visit by now. Move along.
Well I kind of like this one since we have Mike defending criminal hackers and denying his former posts again. Poor guy should just stick to maintaining his Jim Rome Ping List.
No sweat. I don't care for WGA, security patches, or layers of A/V either. I just blame hackers and pirates for it all, they are the true evil in any discussion and without them none of it would be required.
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