Microsoft gets serious on Software Pirates
Main News January 27th, 2005
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Microsoft gets serious on Software Pirates
Microsoft has said this in the past that it would get serious against the users on pirated Windows copies by disallowing them to access their download sites. However, the current mechanism let users ignore the authentication program. They have now decided to go one-step ahead as the latest news in says that Microsoft would make it mandatory for visitors to prove that their Operating System is a genuine Microsoft product.
Starting next month, Microsoft would restrict users of Czech, Norwegian, and Chinese versions of Windows to certain sections of their download sites unless they validates their copy of Windows. This was expressed in a press release by Microsoft on Wednesday. By the middle of the year, they would extend the restriction on all the users of Microsoft Windows to two Microsoft sites for downloading software and security updates.
They are also as mentioned in the past planning to offer incentives to genuine Windows OS users in the form of free software and discounts. The main motive of Microsoft to thwart piracy is stopping the illegal users to update their versions with the latest patches and upgrades. This however has started a controversy in the media as security analysts claim this step would do more harm than good.
If vulnerable copies of Windows Operating System are connected to the Internet, they would get infected with worms and viruses and create problems for genuine users by choking bandwidth and increasing network traffic. Microsoft on their part claims that their plans would decrease security glitches by getting users to install original copies of Microsoft Operating System, which would be free from glitches and viruses.
Microsoft however at this moment is ignoring the users who use the Windows’ built-in auto-update feature, which downloads, and install latest patches automatically. However, analysts believe they would soon be included in this latest program from Microsoft making it mandatory to prove that the Operating System is a genuine copy.
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It will be an absolute waste of time as a crack for accessing the websites will probably be available for download with 48 hours of microsofts implementing the programs.
As to Microsofts claim that “installing original copies of Microsoft Operating System would be free from glitches and virues” is a load of bunk. They never have released an Operating System that didnt require major updates, fixes and constant patching. Maybe if they offered their software at a much reduced price then priracy would be significantly reduced.
It’s the cops and robbers philosophy. Microsoft implements what it believes to be a viable solution to their piracy problem and crackers come out with the “fix” within hours of Microsoft’s release.
I think its a good idea for microsoft to just that , I paid for mine , then why shouldn’t everyone also paid , If you don’t paid you don’t use … Its about time ” Microsoft “
All students should receive software for little cost. The problem is most students cant afford to pay, luckily I get the opportunity of being part of the microsoft academic alliance from school. If all students had this opportunity piracy would decrease significantly. We already pay so much for school here in Canada.
With the ever growing interest in alternate browsers like firefox, microsoft would be wise to heed a growing move away from their products. I crave an alternate operating system (a little easier than linux!) for the sole purpose of encouraging some competition in this “big brother” dominated market!
The way I see it, the vulnerabilities are usually in the microsoft applications - the IE browser, Outlook, Windows media player and so on. As those products cannot be upgraded, people will just replace them with Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, Winamp, etc. Eventually, an alternate OS. How sweet it is!
I had trouble copy pasting at one point and Microsoft tech support had the nerve to say that I will be charged £30 for one query, when is enough enough for this company whom the EU is investigating for market over dominance?
MS products is the reason virii exist. I believe MS lets their products get pirated so they will become popular. You can play rest out yourself…
This one makes sence “One’s first step in wisdom is to kuesstion everything - and one’s last is to come to terms with everything.”