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MS To Limit Security Fixes to Legal Copies of Windows
rufey writes "An Associated Press artcile on MSNBC is reporting that Microsoft is going to start restricting access to security updates from pirated copies of its Windows operating systems. Starting in mid 2005, if you have a pirated copy of Windows, the only way to obtain security updates will be through the automatic updates mechanism. And even that method may be restricted at a future date. The article is light on details about what versions of Windows this will affect. Parts of the system to check for a valid copy of Windows is already used when downloading software (such as Media Player) from Microsoft - except that validation is currently optional." EnderWigginsXenocide points out Reuters' version of the story.
The main gist is that people who have their Windows Update set to automatically download the latest critical patches (through the Windows Security Center - insert oxymoron comment here) will not be affected at this time. If you manually go to Windows Update you will need to provide some sort of credentials (allow software to snoop on yer box or provide your key) to access content. I myself bought a copy of XP recently from Newegg for this exact purpose. I like Linux a lot and if I didn't game, I'd use it exclusively. Since I do game, Windows is a necessity, and I don't want to have a haxxored box because MS tightened down on allowing pirates (which I freely admit I was one) to patch their systems. Newegg has copies of XP pro for about $150.00 with the purchase of any hardware, which is a far cry from their $300.00 MSRP.
"As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
from the article:
"Users of pirated copies of Windows will still be able get some updates, such as security patches, but will not be able to get other add-ons for Windows, the Redmond, Wash.-based company said in a statement."
So, tell me again how this is a bad thing? Don't we already bitch about the useless crap M$ dumps on computers?
Watch the Teaser Trailer for "The Lightning Thief" Her
Your "friend" sounds like "my friend"... my "friend" has a customer generated key and when "he" installed SP2 it worked fine without giving an error, but then when "he" tried that windows authentication thing theyre trying on some downloads, my "friend" was told his windows isnt valid.
So it would seem the sp2 uses a few keys whereas this new tech checks them all
My "friend" is going back to dos6.22 and win 3.11
I remember during the blaster virus, some of our laptops were getting infected so fast, we had to make sure the remote users did NOT get online, and we had to send them the security update and blaster cleaner on disk.
Set up a segment behind a router that only permits packets from Microsoft's IP range. Un-patched systems go there to get patched before being permitted online.
The truth shall set you free!
Microsoft is a business. As a business, their objective is to make money. Sure, in the short-term giving software upgrades to pirated copies of windows may make the internet more secure. But, as soon as the next version of Windows comes out, you start all over again and your argument becomes irrelevant. Also, you can't really expect a business to do a good deed to those that are stabbing them in the back. Get real! Microsoft is completely in their rights and are right for attempting to limit their software support to legit Windows users. So many people bag on Microsoft about "ethical" disagreements with them and use that to justify their own ethical downfall. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth just leaves everyone blind and toothless. Sometime we all need to get our priorities straight. IF YOU'RE TOO CHEAP TO BUY WINDOWS, USE FOSS, OTHERWISE QUIT COMPLAINING.
Aren't there monthly Windows XP magazines that come with a CD that contains the latest Windows updates on them?
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. -- Einstein
The MS EULA says you're not allowed to move your license to another computer.
The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
I think you missed the point. Allow me to simplify it.
I wouldn't complain about Microsoft not offering functionality updates to non-licensed users. If you didn't buy MS-Office 2000, there's no reason at all M$ should let you have a freek copy of M$O 2003. That's bad business.
But if I have a pirated copy of Windows which has been hacked and is now a zombie machine sending out thousands and thousands of porn spam to, say, you, are you still going to praise Microsoft for not offering security upgrades to my machine? We're on opposite sides of the planet, so you can't do anything about me aside from utter your self righteousness about FOSS*; and I'll just keep using my zombie PC because it still gets on-line, still plays my games, still does my e-mail and IM and word processing, and I barely notice the drop in performance as it send you the viruses and the spam and the worms.
So yeah. I guess I got what I deserved, eh?
*Note: I am an avid user of Linux and free software, and I only use Windows at work where I have no choice. I enjoy the ride on the FOSS high horse just as much as you do, but that doesn't change the fact that this is still a bad move on Microsoft's part that will hurt everyone.
-- The reason it's called the right wing? Irony.
The full price bend-over-and-be-reamed retail version can be transferred to another PC if you scrub it from the first one. I do warn people about this when I build systems for them and give them the option of OEM or retail versions (they all pick OEM).
When I am king, you will be first against the wall.
Besides, corporations often burn CD-Rs of their own copies of the OS and use their volume license keys as often as they want.
It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
- E. Debs
So, your second copy shouldn't activate since that key is already assigned to the fingerprint of the first machine.
Here is some info I found, a while ago...
10 hardware characteristics (12 points) are used to determine the Windows XP hardware activation hash:
points item
1 Display Adapter
1 SCSI Adapter
1 IDE Adapter
3 Network Adapter MAC Address
1 RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc)
1 Processor Type
1 Processor Serial Number
1 Hard Drive Device
1 Hard Drive Volume Serial Number
1 CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.
For activation to remain valid 7 points must remain the same.
This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
Check out this picture, it's worth a thousand words. The key got leaked very early on, and it was one of the keys blacklisted starting in SP1.
My other car is a cons.
Don't underestimate Microsof. Their marketing policy is (obviously) superb. Seemingly stupid decisions and comments evntually turn out to be extremely well thought.
An example is the MSN messenger: at first glance, most IM users will shudder at the idea of being unable to send offline messages. Of course, they can send e-mail but isn't it a bit cumbersome? Not if the mail goes to Hotmail, which doesn't support POP3, and the only way to download the mails is through Outlook. So a 'bad' design in the messenger makes thousands depending on the mail client.
This is a similar case. They even say it outright, in a comment that may bring laughter but outlines the long-term reach: According to David Lazar, "That's because pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats". Pretty sure, people will stop updating their Windows. Or they won't - who knows? But Microsoft will always be able to claim they don't, because they have pirated version, and this is the main reason of the security holes. Not their fault anymore: blame the piracy plague. Pure genious.
* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.
Note, this copy of XP is an "OEM" version, which I bought "with hardware" for a DIY system - maybe bundled name-brand computers have a different EULA?
The way I read it - you just can't "transfer" the license for simultaneous use, but you can transfer the license "with the hardware". In my case the hardware is pretty much the computer, but some vendors will sell you as little as a floppy cable as the "hardware". So, as long as you take that floppy cable to the new system, you are legit, right?
Also, I have this list from somewhere...
10 hardware characteristics (12 points) are used to determine the Windows XP hardware activation hash:
points item
1 Display Adapter
1 SCSI Adapter
1 IDE Adapter
3 Network Adapter MAC Address
1 RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc)
1 Processor Type
1 Processor Serial Number
1 Hard Drive Device
1 Hard Drive Volume Serial Number
1 CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.
For activation to remain valid 7 points must remain the same.
So, the grandparent post is an interesting question - logically, moving the license from a dead HP laptop to a working Dell laptop is no different than replacing a broken motherboard in my DIY system.
This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
How will the USA stop MS from doing this?
Take them to court? Threaten to make them give away copies to schools? Slap 'em with a £1million fine?
Seriously - How will the courts stop them?
b3 4phr41d 0f my 4bov3-4v3r4g3 c0mpu73r kn0wI3dg3!
MadDwarf
Naturally, you didn't hear this from me, and for obvious reasons, I must remain anonymous. ;-)
Absolutely you're either not telling the complete story (ie, you've made several changes recently as many geeks are known to do) or you're simply trying to spread FUD. I personally worked on the "activation" portion of the XP distribution and can tell you for a fact that a single memory change WILL NOT cause a needed activation. Try several changes within a month, ie, processor, disk drive, memory... or motherboard, memory, video... or... you get the idea.