Microsoft To Begin Checking For Piracy

Curious Yellow 82 writes "Microsoft will begin checking for pirated copies of its Windows software when users attempt to update. Security updates are supposed to be exempt from the check. Upon detection of pirated software the user will be given the oppportunity to purchase a legitimate copy of the software for a discounted price, upon providing proof of purchase etc."

Comments

Blood is in the water and the sharks are near

[zioncity]

Microsoft has a pretty good idea that their future is getting more and more dim. Time to cash in as much as they can before Vista comes out and is a total flop and security nightmare.

Re:Uhh

[Entropius]

Piracy is not theft. Bzzt.

Re:There's more going on here...

[flithm]

In this situation a hex editor will do absolutely no good at all, neither will setting up a dummy server.

Sure that would get you past the installation phase, but you'd get no updates.

Also, let's be realistic here... the average joe is never going ot set up a dummy server. A lot of computer people would have no problem with that, but even then you'd need another computer, and either a fairly decent router, or the skills to build your own router.

Yes it's totally possible, but not only does it not solve the problem, but it goes way beyond cracking, patching, and key-gens.

One thing I could see someone doing is setting up their own Windows Update server, procuring all the software updates with a legal copy and then giving out a patch that makes windows connect to the fake server instead of microsoft.com.

Yeah it's possible, but it would take a while to implement something like that, what do you think Windows pirates will do in the mean time?

Probably start to consider other options.

One thing I should say though, is you're absolutely right, it was silly of me to say "never." There's always a way. I was just trying to convey that if they really really wanted to, by sacrificing a lot of their customer base, they could probably stamp out a lot of Windows piracy.

Again though, I really don't think it would be a good idea for them to do it.

Re:No-Broadband Users Screwed?

[DroopyStonx]

Well, it's what, 2005?

You've had well over 6 years to get broadband.

What's your excuse for that, seriously?

You lose.

Re:I am self-important!

[I'm Don Giovanni]

LOL
Don't make me laugh. You sound too dumb to be able to afford 5 computers anyway.