Microsoft Blocks Pirates From Security Essentials Software

CWmike writes "Microsoft will block users running counterfeit copies of Windows from installing the free Security Essentials antivirus software, said Alex Kochis, director of Microsoft's Genuine Windows team, in a post to a company blog. On-again, off-again debates about the wisdom of blocking security-oriented downloads like patches or defensive software have centered around the argument that Microsoft should protect all users, including pirates, since hijacked PCs threaten the entire Windows ecosystem. In this case, though, one analyst isn't buying that line. 'I can't see any justification for making Microsoft give away Security Essentials [to counterfeit Windows users],' said John Pescatore, Gartner's primary security analyst. 'Those people have many other choices, including free. There are plenty of alternatives to Security Essentials,' he said, adding that that makes a difference. Windows patches, on the other hand, aren't available from anyone but Microsoft."

Comments

Re:*Takes stolen car to dealership for a repair*

[joocemann]

Oh no you didn't. You didn't just say that people should actually pay for things they want on slashdot, did you?

That is absurd and you will be modded appropriately.
------

You want to know what I always wonder? There are probably thousands of people on slashdot that use linux/FOSS, but work for companies coding software for windows only. I always wonder why the workplace turns these big proponents into cowards and they never do anything to make real changes happen that they could *actually* be a part of.

But lets be honest here... the linux pride really only kicks in when we're not afraid to talk.

Re:Herd mentality

[uassholes]

Perfect for MS users.

Why are you whining?

[GeekDork]

Let's put this straight: This is about people running software that they're not entitled to run. Simple as that. Yes, they made a choice to do so. First, everybody was whining when Microsoft tried to more or less disable those systems, so MSFT stopped the practice. Now you're whining because MSFT is not handing out free software to those leeches? Get a fucking grip on reality! In my opinion, everybody complaining about things like those is more part of the problem than anything.