While the game industry has always been keen in trying all sorts of disc anti-piracy measures to prevent copies of their CD/DVD media from being made, Microsoft on the other hand happily allows backup copies to be made with even the most basic CD copying software, but instead relies on a combination of product activation and key validation to verify they are using genuine software. Although product activation has been around since Windows XP first debuted, up until recently, users could get around this by using counterfeit corporate keys published on pirate software websites as well as corporate key generators as these keys not require activation. However, Microsoft's update site started checking for counterfeit keys a while back and they recommended performing Windows Genuine Advantage check per downloading non-critical updates.
Now Microsoft has updated their anti-piracy programme such that it is mandatory to do a validation check to download non-critical software. The validation check utility checks for blacklisted keys and now even checks for keys that have not been issued by Microsoft. Other checks include validating software authorisation keys such as from an activation (depends on OS) and system hardware. However, unlike its previous validation check, this updated version no longer asks the user to key in their product ID. In an aim to cut back on the number of PCs being exploited with viruses and worms (such as to relay spam), Microsoft will continue to offer critical patches via the Windows Update utility or from Microsoft's download site to those with an invalid OS key. If you copy, please show your appreciation by linking back to CDFreaks.
If the validation check fails when a consumer tries downloading a non-critical update or enters the Windows Update website, the consumer is given two options: 1 - Fill out a piracy report and send Microsoft a proof of purchase including the counterfeit media to receive a free genuine replacement of Windows XP Home/Professional. 2 - Just fill in a piracy report and get a genuine replacement OS for half price.
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The software behemoth started a program on Monday that requires users of its Windows operating system to prove their copies are legitimate. If not, Microsoft will not let them get add-ons to Windows XP. The program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, will frisk your machine to see if it's running an authentic version of Windows. If it detects a counterfeit copy, it will offer two options '” users can fill out a piracy report, provide proof of purchase and send in the counterfeit CDs to get a free copy of Windows Home Edition or Windows Professional; or those who just submit a piracy report '” telling when, where and from whom they got the software and send in the counterfeit copy '” will get either version of Windows at half price. In the spirit of further generosity, Microsoft will allow users of unauthorized Windows programs to install security-related updates, which are used to plug software flaws exploited by viruses and hackers. The full article can be read here. |
So far, while Microsoft has blocked off access to non-critical updates via their website to those with an invalid key, they still mention the file name of their downloads and most of these are widely available on some file mirror and third party Windows update websites. However, with the validation process now mandatory, chances are that Microsoft will either start forcing other websites to put users through Microsoft's validation check or in my opinion even start embedding validation checks in their upcoming updates such as the check for known blacklisted keys in Service Pack 2. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft even mandates product activation for all its future OS versions, especially since product validation is now mandatory in the corporate versions of its OS (apart from to install the OS and to install critical updates).
When a user tries to download a non-critical update, they are asked to perform a validation. The same goes with performing a Windows update such as shown on the screen to the right. If you copy, please show your support by linking back to CDFreaks.
If the validation passes on the Windows Update site, the user is forwarded on to the page listing the Windows updates available. The partial screenshot to the right shows what the what happens when the validation passes when attempting to download a non-critical update.
However, if the validation fails for either the Windows update or the attempted download of a non-critical update, the user is presented with a warning similar to that shown below along with a choice to send in a piracy report, counterfeit media and proof of purchase for a free replacement genuine copy, send in a piracy report only for a half price genuine copy replacement or a list of resellers to purchase a genuine copy from.
Source: Globetechnology
