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Several Web sites are offering an "activation crack" designed to trick Vista into skipping the registration process once the pirated version of the operating system has been installed on the user's system. No such hack has been reported for the pirated version of Office 2007, but given the speed at which software pirates operate, such a hack could appear in the coming months or even weeks.

Reports have surfaced that bootleg copies of Windows Vista and Office 2007 can be obtained from Web sites that offer not only the software itself, but also a working product key and a hack that circumvents Microsoft's activation system. A product key is a unique number that serves as proof of purchase for Microsoft's software, which requests the key upon installation. Once installed, both Vista and Office 2007 must be registered with Microsoft over the Internet, at which point Microsoft screens the software to determine its authenticity.
Software that fails the screening might be locked down, giving users access to minimal features, or simply shut down, giving users no access at all.
According to reports, several Web sites selling the pirated software have offered an "activation crack" -- a small, additional piece of software that tricks Vista into skipping the registration process once it has been installed on the user's system. No such hack has been reported for Office 2007, but given the speed at which software pirates operate, such a hack could appear in the coming months or even weeks.
Pirates' Booty
In a prepared statement, Microsoft claimed that pirated copies of Vista and Office 2007 won't work for long, despite hackers' attempts.
"This unauthorized download relies on the use of pre-RTM (release to manufacturing) activation keys that will be blocked using Microsoft's Software Protection Platform," said Microsoft. "Consequently, these downloads will be of limited value."
No matter what their value, the downloads could be flat-out dangerous. Pirated software not only is illegal, but also is often altered or tampered with in ways meant to harm consumers' machines -- and even consumers themselves.
"You don't know what you're getting," said John Wolf, director of Internet enforcement for the Business Software Alliance, an antipiracy group whose members include Microsoft, Adobe, and other software giants.
"If you're getting pirated software, most often it's been tampered with," he said. "You're running the risk that they may have made a mistake, or they may have inserted something intentionally that may be malware."
Penny Wise
What's more, said Wolf, the damage might not be to your machine alone.
If you're on a network, it's not only your system and your workstation that can be affected. Wolfe pointed out that virus attacks and other malicious code that pirates employ are designed to spread quickly, infecting as many machines as possible.
The bottom line? "You're taking a big risk," said Wolf. Illegal software can save pennies, but cost far more in the long run.

Justlovemy

no spamming here

tijnema

hmm, will microsoft try to scare people?

they will always lose if it goes about piracy, hackers are smart enough to see every little trick microsoft put in, and they just take it out...

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2oo7

icemanx

lol tijnema no matter how microsoft stop one thing but a fix, crack or hack will come out

its like the mouse will get over that mouse trap but even if microsoft builds a better mousetrap the mouse will always get around it...

thats why if you ask at microsoft when thier website or servers get hacked and they catch the person doing it ask them if they jail the person doing it or get them to work for them to stop others trying to break in hahaha