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

Attack the problem, not its results.

[cosm]

This seems like another Microsoft initiative that just generates even more Microsoft anti-sentiment. Yes, these pirates are running illegal copies of their operating system, but holding features based on the legality of the license is not a very intelligent idea IMHO. Developing features that are dependent on the legality of the instance of the operating system install seems like wasted resources. If anything, they are fighting the problem, not the cause. This is just a message to pirates saying "Hey, we know the software your running isn't legitimately licensed, so we are going to disable some stuff on it so you don't get to use it to it's full potential." That will sure make the pirates want to buy MS software, but...oh. But maybe I am shooting myself in the foot. "Security Essentials"? Last time I checked MS stuff (OneCare anyone?) doesn't quite live up to anti-mal-spy-virus standards.
So from what I see they are debilitating worthless software for machines that are used illegally anyways because the folks running unlicensed copies generally believe their OS is worthless (at least in terms of MSRB).

Circular logic.

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.
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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.

Re:Get Microsoft out of the free OS market.

[joocemann]

>Yeh but good PC games really only work well in windows

The existence of "good PC games" is a matter of opinion.

So is everything. Hell, everything in existence is in place due to probabilities. Each subparticle of your hand could potentially be 1000 miles away, or across the universe for that matter (wave)...

but the reality is that the greatest probabilities place the things that make the universe the way they be where they are.

And I relate that to the fact that you're trying to destroy massive public opinion statistics (the high probability of a game being good if huge numbers of people's opinions say so), with a bullshit deference to the variability of opinion.

So I'll just sum this up: SHUT THE FUCK UP. Millions of opinions >>> yours. Everything is subjective, that doesn't mean you have a real argument. STFU.

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.