"Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said Wednesday that it would fight piracy by requiring some customers to verify that they have a legitimate copy of the Windows operating system in order to download some of its software.
.
Customers using the Czech, Norwegian and Chinese versions of Windows will not be able to use a Microsoft download Web site starting next month unless they have a valid copy of Windows, David Lazar, director for Microsoft's Genuine Windows program, said.
.
Toward the middle of the year, the restrictions will be expanded to all users of two Microsoft sites for downloading software and security updates.
.
The company will also expand a program that rewards legitimate customers with free software and discounts.
.
The system allows Microsoft to use one of its sharpest weapons - access to security patches that combat viruses and worms and other crippling attacks - to thwart piracy.
.
But some security experts warned that the crackdown could increase Internet security problems. If the number of computers open to attack increased, those computers could then be used to attack others, these experts said.
.
Lazar said Microsoft would monitor that potential problem closely. But the company considers its authentication requirement to be one way to increase Internet security because pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats, he said.
.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will begin to more broadly adopt the program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, that urges users to provide proof that their Windows copy is authentic before receiving some software updates.
.
By the middle of the year, the program will become mandatory for Windows users to get virtually all updates, including security fixes available through the company's Windows Update Web site. But users who have pirated copies of Windows will be able to continue to get security fixes if they sign up to automatically receive them.
.
Russ Cooper, a senior scientist with Cybertrust, an information security company, said he expected Microsoft to eventually cut off security updates for pirated copies. "The reality is that shareholders of Microsoft would like to see them get all the money they are owed," Cooper said.
.



See more of the world that matters - click here for home delivery of the International Herald Tribune.
< < Back to Start of Article Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said Wednesday that it would fight piracy by requiring some customers to verify that they have a legitimate copy of the Windows operating system in order to download some of its software.
.
Customers using the Czech, Norwegian and Chinese versions of Windows will not be able to use a Microsoft download Web site starting next month unless they have a valid copy of Windows, David Lazar, director for Microsoft's Genuine Windows program, said.
.
Toward the middle of the year, the restrictions will be expanded to all users of two Microsoft sites for downloading software and security updates.
.
The company will also expand a program that rewards legitimate customers with free software and discounts.
.
The system allows Microsoft to use one of its sharpest weapons - access to security patches that combat viruses and worms and other crippling attacks - to thwart piracy.
.
But some security experts warned that the crackdown could increase Internet security problems. If the number of computers open to attack increased, those computers could then be used to attack others, these experts said.
.
Lazar said Microsoft would monitor that potential problem closely. But the company considers its authentication requirement to be one way to increase Internet security because pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats, he said.
.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will begin to more broadly adopt the program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, that urges users to provide proof that their Windows copy is authentic before receiving some software updates.
.
By the middle of the year, the program will become mandatory for Windows users to get virtually all updates, including security fixes available through the company's Windows Update Web site. But users who have pirated copies of Windows will be able to continue to get security fixes if they sign up to automatically receive them.
.
Russ Cooper, a senior scientist with Cybertrust, an information security company, said he expected Microsoft to eventually cut off security updates for pirated copies. "The reality is that shareholders of Microsoft would like to see them get all the money they are owed," Cooper said.
.Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said Wednesday that it would fight piracy by requiring some customers to verify that they have a legitimate copy of the Windows operating system in order to download some of its software.
.
Customers using the Czech, Norwegian and Chinese versions of Windows will not be able to use a Microsoft download Web site starting next month unless they have a valid copy of Windows, David Lazar, director for Microsoft's Genuine Windows program, said.
.
Toward the middle of the year, the restrictions will be expanded to all users of two Microsoft sites for downloading software and security updates.
.
The company will also expand a program that rewards legitimate customers with free software and discounts.
.
The system allows Microsoft to use one of its sharpest weapons - access to security patches that combat viruses and worms and other crippling attacks - to thwart piracy.
.
But some security experts warned that the crackdown could increase Internet security problems. If the number of computers open to attack increased, those computers could then be used to attack others, these experts said.
.
Lazar said Microsoft would monitor that potential problem closely. But the company considers its authentication requirement to be one way to increase Internet security because pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats, he said.
.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will begin to more broadly adopt the program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, that urges users to provide proof that their Windows copy is authentic before receiving some software updates.
.
By the middle of the year, the program will become mandatory for Windows users to get virtually all updates, including security fixes available through the company's Windows Update Web site. But users who have pirated copies of Windows will be able to continue to get security fixes if they sign up to automatically receive them.
.
Russ Cooper, a senior scientist with Cybertrust, an information security company, said he expected Microsoft to eventually cut off security updates for pirated copies. "The reality is that shareholders of Microsoft would like to see them get all the money they are owed," Cooper said.
.Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said Wednesday that it would fight piracy by requiring some customers to verify that they have a legitimate copy of the Windows operating system in order to download some of its software.
.
Customers using the Czech, Norwegian and Chinese versions of Windows will not be able to use a Microsoft download Web site starting next month unless they have a valid copy of Windows, David Lazar, director for Microsoft's Genuine Windows program, said.
.
Toward the middle of the year, the restrictions will be expanded to all users of two Microsoft sites for downloading software and security updates.
.
The company will also expand a program that rewards legitimate customers with free software and discounts.
.
The system allows Microsoft to use one of its sharpest weapons - access to security patches that combat viruses and worms and other crippling attacks - to thwart piracy.
.
But some security experts warned that the crackdown could increase Internet security problems. If the number of computers open to attack increased, those computers could then be used to attack others, these experts said.
.
Lazar said Microsoft would monitor that potential problem closely. But the company considers its authentication requirement to be one way to increase Internet security because pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats, he said.
.
Over the next few months, Microsoft will begin to more broadly adopt the program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, that urges users to provide proof that their Windows copy is authentic before receiving some software updates.
.
By the middle of the year, the program will become mandatory for Windows users to get virtually all updates, including security fixes available through the company's Windows Update Web site. But users who have pirated copies of Windows will be able to continue to get security fixes if they sign up to automatically receive them.
.
Russ Cooper, a senior scientist with Cybertrust, an information security company, said he expected Microsoft to eventually cut off security updates for pirated copies. "The reality is that shareholders of Microsoft would like to see them get all the money they are owed," Cooper said."

From http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/26/yourmoney/msft.html
================SNIP==================
I predict viruses spreading across ALL the "internets"
:)

Oops, it looks like your article got double-posted.

Lazar said, "....pirated copies of Windows could contain viruses or other security threats."

That got a good laugh from me. It was the word "could"!
Get real, Lazar, you know very well that all Windows operating systems (pirated or not) were built so half-assed so as to be vulnerable to viruses or other security threats YEARS down the road!
In fact, it just last year that MicroSoft put out a patch that still was needed to correct Windows 98 in regards to a newly-found security issue!
'Nuff said.

" . . . Microsoft would like to see shareholders get all the money they are owed."

That makes me wonder — what kind of people are Microsoft shareholders, anyhow?
(I'll charitably refrain from using presumptively negative adjectives to characterize them en masse.)

"negative adjectives" = unflattering adjectives

(It's going to be really nice having an edit button for our own posts.)

Sorry but I have a real problem with Microsucks. You see I got a dose of malware sometime back, took forever to find just where in the backups for my computer is was coming from. Took six months and mulitple reinstalls to get rid of it. Seems I must have installed it too many times and they blacklisted my OEM that came with the computer. Seems they now want to me to buy yet again this security glitch called XP.

Since this is a legal original install disk, just what do they intend to do with such problems with their poor programming? And I want to buy this yet again, for the shareholders? Get real. Seems they got some work yet to do to make it a valuable product.

Linux is sounding better and better as time goes by.

I lost my original win 98 disc. I bet I'm just "screwed" next time this box breaks.

I guess that means I'll have to ditch all those computers I have that are triple booting with Chinese, Norwegian, and Czech WinDoze XP on them....lol

To anybody who is interested in trying a linux Os knoppix or Damn small linux (DSL) let me know and I will burn it for you and snail mail it if you give an address these two Os are a full operating systems that boot off of the disk instead of a hard drive install but they do give you the option if you want.

nitedreamerxp

Please Dmail me a note, I would be interested.

nitedreamerxp, wet1

If you all trust each other not to send viruses and whatnot (since you are talking executable files/software) to send each other... you could just use a site like dropload.com instead of waiting on snail mail.

dropload.com is FREE (donation supported, with no ads/spam/spyware or any of that garbage last I checked) and I personally recommend them HIGHLY for that sorta thing.

Today, the virus-writers hold a party!

I'm not totally up on Linux stuff. If I was able to get a copy of the OS that nitedreamerxp is generously providing, install it...then what? That's why most people are reluctant to switch...ignorance of what and where to get linux applications or if a windows applications emulator is available or even considered. Excuse the Linux knowledge gap as my technical skills are in a different direction than computer operating systems.

Sorry for my internet laziness...lots of information from the source at http://www.linux.org/info/index.html

For anyone interested in trying out linux please E-mail me @
nitedreamer7255@yahoo.com then we can go from there, The Image files are too large to send to dropload.com but thanks for the info Shmoo I could use that for some of my other linux files.

When used Windows update recently, it said that I had verify that I have a legitimate copy of the Windows operating system.

Then their was button below that said "skip this step" and I clicked it and I was never asked that again.

Hahaha. suckers.

Dont be suprised if next week you come back and that little button saying "skip this step" is missing. Sounds to me like it is a warning that it is coming. The button is easily removed in the programming and once it is gone there will be no choice.

Yep - the standard procedure for deploying technology consumers dont want:

1. Feature is not available.
2. Feature is available, but must be explicitly enabled.
3. Feature is enabled by default, but can be disabled. This may be a simple or complex procedure.
4. Feature is manditory.

I'm a little confused on this one. Microsoft varifies a version of Windows by the serial no, and says during the installation and verification process that they will not collect or report any personal information about you. Let's say some guy in China (or in the US) installs windows and gives the disc to 100 friends. They all now have a legit version, and MS has no idea who the original owner was. Umm... yeah... this will work.

One more reason to switch to Linux!

" . . . Microsoft would like to see shareholders get all the money they are owed."

If they sell it at an reasonable price, more people would buy it, more money for them, and everyone is happy. Now people will stop patching and microcrap will look worse and make people hate them more. But it won't stop people from getting the cheap copies.

JustASquirrel- starting with XP, Microsoft got cute, in that , they instituted the "activation" scheme. During installation on a box, the software collects info on the the unique configuration of that machine, and stores it in the form of a long number. You "must" activate the OS within a certain number of days or the software stops working, and since the OS is what runs your box...you become dead in the water.

Now, one group of users did not have to do the activate hoedown, and that was corporate users....who usually bought a volume license from Micro$oft.

Of course, "workarounds" exist.

Yep, a "cracked" version has been floating around since soon after the original XP release date.

Correction: A "cracked" fix has been available for defeating the activation since practically day one.

For those who don't know, there is a keygen that creates valid keys in a way that even Microsoft can't tell they are fake. Not only with this updated keygen (640 pid keygen) create valid corporate keys, but it can create normal keys for Home/Pro that will actually pass the activation test just like a store bought copy will. Yes, that means someone can borrow a retail copy of XP from a friend, install it, use the keygen to generate a valid key, and activate over the internet without having to use cracks or the corporate version. Even Microsoft technical support can't tell the difference between the two.

"Now, one group of users did not have to do the activate hoedown, and that was corporate users..."

That clears it up. I've verified the same XP OS from the same disc on various machines, but it was a corporate purchased disc.

I've been using Linux for a long time. If you have fast internet.

ftp://carroll.cac.psu.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrakelinux/official/iso/10.1/i586/

Windows XP is trash compared to Linux. No need for a anti-virus program hogging your resources. There are many linux user groups http://www.linux.org/groups/usa/ that may help new users. Also many help sites http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/index.php on the internet. I'd recommend starting with linux on a 2nd drive or spare computer and gradually learn to replace all your needs with linux.

" . . . Microsoft would like to see shareholders get all the money they are owed."

That makes me wonder — what kind of people are Microsoft shareholders, anyhow?
Uhh the main Microsoft shareholder is Bill Gates. That's what kind of people they are...

Good point.

It makes sense that the person who would care the most is likely the one who has the most vested interest in its corporate profits - Billionaire Bill himself.

Anyway, I still can't picture the kind of people desiring to participate in that company -- shareholders or whatever, knowing the kind of company it really is.

I mean, how many of our group would want to purchase MicroSoft stock? (MAYBE one person, maybe not, out of all of us, I'm guessing.)
I think it takes a whole different culture or mindset to invest or otherwise be a part of that type of corporation.

. . .er, to be a part of that corporation FINANCIALLY, or to work for them, I mean.

It just mean patches will have to be shared via P2P to update your Win OS. OK so not as secure and possibility of trojans and virii but most people who supply those things don't intentionally add that kinda stuff. Just look at the game patches for things like Half Life 2 that get rid of reliance on Steam to run. There are dedicated programmers out there just itching to 'stick it to M$' and any other company that tries to pull these copy protection tricks. There are actaully more people interested in evading these copy protection mechanisms than duping you into installing a trojan or virus believe me.

So M$ can go blow it outta their ass!

hey you guys and nerdy computer enthusiist, you dont know that microsoft is sortof cool. you guys are too young.

back in the day, when i was a kid, i would go to comdex in atlanta. there you could find a little guy at the microsoft booth. people would say "oh yeah that guy has too much money, he makes 30$ from each copy of dos, for every computer." hardly anybody has a computer. they cost $6,000.
but he doesnt realy care if i borrow my friends copy of dos, i could spend my $30 on a nice new copy of dos also, cause its good.
so i asked him "what does microsoft do?"
he said "we make the operating system".
"but what else?"
"thats what we do. not all this other stuff. mabe we could do more."
"look at all the happy computer enthuseists in one place here at comdex."

another year at comdex: i met the little guy at the microsoft booth who has too much money. "yeah Xwindows is great especialy its programmers interface. those macs are cute but i cant afford one, windows is interesting but it crashes after 5 min. wonder if it will ever be usefull. i copied it from school to check it out at home on my 8086. i see its clock runs while i edit a document, cool, multithreading"
he said "here let me get you the newest thing, i have one in my trunk, the beta windows." he went out to his car to get me a copy, mabe his copy of the beta windws.
"ok, i will give it to a few friends too. its a shame pc's are so incompatable. a shame that moast of the new 386's dont function properly in protected mode so i cant write assembly software that uses protected mode, and 286's and 386's arent the same so windows cant use special instructions, windows even runs on my 8086. nobody uses protected mode."

i told him that i want a c compiler and the only two that are good are $6000 and i cant afford it and they are so specialized that i cant find anybody who has them to give me a copy. and that the microsoft c compiler is buggy and i cant use my pirate copy of it cause it calls functions randomly. i said that i was going to write my own but i dont have time. i have books on c compiler design from ibm. the next year he evidently hired people to fix the compiler and made it affordable, and then freely available with development tools, for anybody who wants it. and microsoft c was good in alot of important ways.

i dont remember exactly when comdex became comdex/windows world, but it was cool event for all the nerdy enthuseists.

no copy protection for windows, untill one year there was a survey that showed that almoast everybody was useing a copy of the last years beta windows for about a year, so microsoft did something about it one year, for a few weeks, untill people got the point. people should buy some software once in a while. no big deal.

there was a program to give out free windows 2000 to students for a while. i think everybody who uses windows should get the updates, weather its pirate windows or not, because windows looks bad without the updates.

linux is newer than windows.

i use linnux but microsoft is cool, sortof. and you folks dont seem to know that. microsoft is so big now, but if you could tell the old bill what you want, he loves happy nerds.

That was really good! For awhile, you had me stringing along with you there.

In going back to twenty years ago, you included such things as Windows being compelling but rife with problems, and Macs being cute but costly.

Some things never change.

i think someone should do this:

go and take an airplane to taiwan, and tell VIA that you want to market their mini itx c3 based motherboards in the form of a small quiet affordable computer in the american market.

tell them that you have done a market study and that it would sell. you want a small hard drive and some ram in a compact case, and you will install all the software that a common user needs as a service, and market it.

they will probably be happy. thery will show you the best stuff for the best price and offer to have it assembled and delivered. you get your contacts and go back to the states with your market study and get a no colateral loan from your buisness plan.

install video editing, office aps, web, communications, graphics, dvd players, cd players, and personal web servers on every box, with a web site for a users guide.

everybody would love it and probably buy a bunch.

but when it was all done this wonderfull little box would cost mabe $400. thats $100 less thn a mac mini with osx.

mac would have to drop their price a little. that mac mini is pretty nice with osx.