March 30, 2007 4:00 AM PDT
Microsoft makes copying Vista a monster task
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Even the unique Vista retail packaging--a plastic box with one round corner--was designed, in part, to thwart counterfeiters. And the packaging is just the start; most of Microsoft's antipiracy work is built-into the software itself, meaning that just copying the code and getting a product key isn't enough.
"It's a different game for the counterfeiters," Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative, said in an interview. "They're having to resort to this full attack on the product."
One such exploit was dubbed "Frankenbuild" because it merged bits of the beta versions of Windows Vista with the final product in an effort to defeat the validation checks built into the software. But, thanks to technology built into Vista, Microsoft was able to update its defenses and start flagging such systems--even those that initially passed activation--as illegitimate.
The antipiracy effort has been building slowly inside Microsoft. Microsoft began quietly testing a Windows Genuine Advantage program in 2004 with an optional check that offered no benefits for taking part, nor penalties for machines that didn't pass. The company quickly expanded the program, adding some incentives for those machines that were verified. The company later made the checks mandatory to download most Windows updates and add-ons.
Microsoft has seen reducing piracy rates as a way to boost its sales, particularly given that the fastest PC sales growth is coming in emerging markets where piracy rates tend to be higher.
With Vista, checking for pirates was always part of the plan. Technology built into Vista allows Microsoft to periodically evaluate the OS to make sure it is legitimate, rather than just having one opportunity, when the product key is first entered at activation.
That's important if Microsoft learns, say, that a once-valid product key has been compromised. Microsoft also used the validation mechanism after Frankenbuild was discovered, forcing machines to go through validation, which the Frankenbuild systems failed because the software was not an intact copy of the OS.
There are a number of features, including the new Aero user interface, that require genuine validation. As part of Vista, machines that fail validation go into reduced functionality mode if not remedied within 30 days, meaning such systems can be used only to browse the Internet for an hour at a time.
Microsoft has also tightened the rules on volume licenses, largely eliminating the ability for businesses, even those with bulk purchase deals, to use one product key across an unlimited number of machines. Microsoft has two options with Vista. Companies can either use their own PC or server as a sort of hall monitor to make sure which Vista systems are out there, or they can get a multiple-use key from Microsoft, though such keys have a set number of activations. Businesses can also use a combination of the two approaches.
It's a little early to tell how all of the efforts are working, but Hartje said there are some reasons for optimism.
"We see indications from our channel that they are concerned they get genuine product," Hartje said. "We're optimistic the technology changes are going to make a difference. The fact we haven't seen any high-quality counterfeits is a good sign."
While engineering is a big part of Microsoft's efforts, the company is also doing other things. One recent move was to change the way copies of Windows are produced. Rather than just license replicators to build as much of the software as they might need, such disc makers are now required to pay a part of the cost of the software when the discs are first burned, discouraging large stockpiles of authentic discs from building up in warehouses.
The only people whom these anti-piracy measures are hindering are everyday consumers who suddenly discover their computers have become unresponsive thanks to the inevitable glitches in the validation process. *I* have not had any problems with my Vista or XP installations in this regard, but I know of *many* others who have. Luckily, these folks are all quite computer-savvy and have managed to rectify the situation; but what about the Average Joe who only understands how to turn his computer on or off? What does someone like that do when Vista goes into cripple-ware mode or XP fails a Genuine Advantage check?
Most USA companies have a "Buy a company purchase plan" or he gets one for free when he retires.
Will that Windows install now be invalid since it is now a home pc? Or will the key be tied to the PC? If Vista is installed then the old man must down grade to XP?
It seems like every time I update my XP Pro machines I have to
jump through some new hoops to update the updater and re-
validate my installations. It is inconvenient to ME! Why should I
have to spend several hundred dollars per machine to buy the
software and then have to spend my personal time trying to
convince Microsoft that I really gave it to them.
I refuse to be forced to PAY for the privilege of being treated like
a criminal so I will NOT be upgrading to Windows Vista. I already
use Apple's Macintosh as my primary computers and have been
testing Linux on others, so I foresee a Windows free future
coming to me.
really means:
"No one's buying it, and even the pirates are staying away from it - but not b/c of the copy protection..."
I have been burned twice by "product activation".
Once, the company went out of business and I could no longer user my bought and paid for application.
A second time, the manufacturer stopped selling or supporting the product.
Both pieces of software were valuable to me and had cost me hard earned $$$$.
In both cases I had to purchase a replacement that cost me additional $$$.
So, I will NEVER pay for software that requires "activation".
Get a Mac and have professional-quality desktop software, and get a game console (Xbox, PS2) for your games. Unless you're into war RTS-strategy games, you're covered.
I think this is necessary because M$ has flown the coop.
"The tighter you squeeze, Lord Vader, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.
Microsoft said that prior to the business release of Vista that they were going to defeat the easiest way of getting a version of Windows that would never fail any genuine compatibility test.
How? By changing the way enterprise PCs activate Windows. What was supposed to happen was every 6 months instead of dialing Microsoft, a PC with an enterprise key had to be activated by a local area network license server. Therefore if you installed the enterprise version of Vista outside your company's local area network, after six months its activation would expire.
Great, except they didn't bother to implement this. Instead they cheerfully informed corporate license holders that PC would continue to dial Microsoft, however as they could count the number of activations per enterprise key, everything would be fine, because they could simply adjust the cost of licensing based on the number of copies of Windows activated.
In other words although we want to make this look a tiny bit like we may discount your licensing costs - the reality is if your security is too lax and your enterprise key makes it into the wild, we will charge you for every pirated copy of Windows activated under your key. Of course you can get your key invalidated, but the chances are you won't do that until after you receive a huge bill from Microsoft - and then have to input your new key on every one of your corporate PCs.
Bottom line for the pirate is that the easiest way of copying Windows is still available, and because you will have a valid key unless the company that owns it gets Microsoft to invalidate it, you will never fail to pass any of Microsoft's "Genuine Version" checks.
- Who Cares??????
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by coachgeorge
March 30, 2007 8:29 PM PDT
- I will bypass Vista, What's next?
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