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?"

Comments

Re:What about MSDN windows

[NanoGator]

"It is fair to say that all the pirated versions of windows in china and south east Asia infected with a virus can easily overwhelm any network."

It's also fair to say that there are people using pirated copies that have legitimately paid for them. Discs get damaged sometimes.

Re:What about MSDN windows

[egrubs]

So, the Russians have reached a higher culteral elevation than Asians in general because they "know" that information cannot be traded freely?