Activating Vista Enterprise Using a Spoofed Server

Ruvim writes "It has been mentioned in previous Slashdot discussions as possibility, and now it became a reality: Information Week reports that a spoofed server has been released that can be used to activate Microsoft's Vista Enterprise versions. It is being made available on several pirate Web sites and spoofs a Key Management Service server, used to activate a large number of copies of Windows Vista in enterprise environments." From the article: "Vista is the first version of Windows that Microsoft requires volume license customers to activate. Besides KMS, the Redmond, Wash. developer also offers Multiple Activation Key, which resembles the retail version's activation process. PCs activated using KMS must reactivate at least once every six months. The MelindaGates hack uses a VMware image of a KMS server to activate -- and keep activated -- a pirated edition of Windows Vista Business. 'Looks like Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 is a big bust,' wrote a user identified as 'clank' on the PirateBay Web site Friday. "

Comments

Soviet Microsoft

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

In Mysterious Future, Vista Activation Spoofs You!

Re:Short on details

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure that Microsoft must have thought of that as a possibility.

And you came into this conclusion because... Microsoft has such a good track record in security?

it boggles the mind - Windows Genuine DISASTER

[toby]

...Why anyone would run their business (or hobby) on a system that is subject to DeActivation.

Defective by Design, indeed.

Re:Wishful thinking

[shawngarringer]

They will if you have a big wallet to match!

Alas, the part of the puzzle I am missing... :(

Windows Vista Cracked?

[ImaNihilist]

Inconceivable!

Re:Windows Vista Cracked?

[Jugalator]

And once again, before it's widely available. (I don't consider MSDN for their subscribers wide availability, really)

You'd think this sent a message...

Now, all that's left is an even more annoying activation system for legit customers.

Re:Windows Vista Cracked?

[RxScram]

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Re:Just Wait...

[Iriestx]

If your OS choice rests solely on 'which plays WoW' then you probably have bigger issues than I'm qualified to help you with.

Re:Wishful thinking

[Anonymous Coward]

OffTopic:
Hey you've got the lowest "member id number" I've seen on here so far :) Your Slashdot penis must be huge :D

Re:Just Wait...

[geekoid]

"Conveninent home OS that everybody can use"

the MAc is, and it can probably run 99% of the games you play.
Is 1% of games really worth having an OS that can be deactivated whenever the company wants to do it? or that it wont get deactivated by mistake? Not me. I don't own a Mac, but I will get one before I install Vista.

Re:Godspeed, Microsoft

[mugnyte]

You insensitive clod! Haven't they paid enough?! Think of the children!

"MelindaGates" hack?

[XoXus]

The "MelindaGates" hack? Is that because people are getting sick of being screwed by Bill?

Very interesting

[empaler]

That is actually very interesting.

However, given the nature of their work, I'd guess they don't use the newest OS...

Funny that MoxFulder should point this out?

Re:Microsoft has taken an interesting approach ...

[TheGratefulNet]

What does Microsoft do for government customers like the CIA/NSA/DIA? Some of those networks are completely and totally isolated from the public Internet. ...greetings professor falke^C

ooops. damn.

Re:Just Wait...

[turnip torrent]

Very true. I guess this is a reason to play more Linux games. Frozen Bubble totally owns 3D Pinball!

Re:So what _does_ Vista actually secure?

[tkrotchko]

"Does Vista protect anything other than media restrictions imposed by producers?"

Let's just say it protects everything is was designed to protect. To a certain extent.

Re:Wishful thinking

[Lord Kano]

Fuck all of you guys.

And the sub-14-bit UIDs you rode in on.

LK