Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Security Updates for Pirated Windows?
zachlipton writes "DSL Reports has an interesting question posted: should users with pirated copies of Windows be allowed to download security updates, such as for Sasser? Apparently, without a valid CD key, users cannot download these updates. Do they get what they deserve, or should they be allowed these updates through Windows Update in order to reduce the impact of these worms on the rest of the net? Should security updates only for worms be made available to pirated users, or also updates for issues that while not posing a risk to other internet users, would open the pirate up to a security hole?"
Actually there is a third option...
Microsoft quits releasing software that has so many fucking bugs and security holes.
Seriously, getting around Microsoft's restrictions on keys is so trivial even my mother could do it. Anyone who isn't already applying updates even on a pirated copy wouldn't apply them if they were openly allowed to anyway. Lazyness and apathy is more of a problem.
I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
All the pirates of M$ I've ever installed (and there have been many, though I don't use the stuff except when I have to) have had perfectly legitimate serials - just used over and over again. The only hitch is if someone's stupid enough to register a "shared" copy (don't share with these people). While the rather extreme hardware-fingerprinting online-handshake to get a key measures they put in XP put a crimp in that style, I don't remember being asked for any tracking info as I downloaded, burned to CD, and installed 20-plus patches to fix Sasser, among other things, on a client's system.
Are you racist or something? Your post leaves me with the distinct impression that you believe Asians pirate more software and get more viruses than the rest of the world which is just false.
You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
here who think viruses and worms affect everyone but the infected?
If you can't protect yourself from malicious softaware, how useful is your pirated OS?
Yeah, I fear so much from all the unpatched Windows OS's. When I obtain a crack for something, I fully expect to have to consent to infection. I then disinfect, which is not that hard, considering I visit MS frequently to get the latest patches. If you are stupid, and use a pirated OS, and then download cracks all the time, and your PC ceases to function as a labor-saving device, I have little pity.
I would do as MS is doing - you steal my stuff, FU. MS works for their customers, and should not spend one cent of my license fee supporting the a$$ who stole the product. Since I update my OS regularly, use a firewall, and know what the fuck I am doing, why do I care if Khalib Mostowkavski got his XP from Xhing-Shou or MS? If half of China grinds to a halt because MS doesn't patch stolen OS's, well, I guess that just shows China how stupid they are, for thinking they can rip off the rest of the world indefinitely with no consequences, huh?
MS business model: Punish all customers because some of them are criminals.
It would appear to most of the world that GW Bush thinks these things are legal.
Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
a) Cinelerra .doc format from OO.o
b) Not really. No one I work with seems to complain when I save something in
Take your FUD elsewhere, twit.
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
If you can't find or build a PC without Windows installed, you probably aren't the kind of user who can keep a computer running without Windows' hand-holding in the first place.
Bullshit.
What could possibly hurt the security of the American people more than giving our own government the ability to hide its