Even though Microsoft has stayed clear of crippling their software CDs with copy protection, they have been relying heavily on their Product Activation and Windows Genuine Advantage to help tackle piracy. Last August, Microsoft updated its Windows Genuine Advantage program to make it mandatory for users to have their Windows Operating System checked for piracy in order to get onto the Windows Update website or download certain updates and packages from Microsoft's website. However, until now, those using pirate copies of Windows did not experience any other issue. Now, this is set to change as Microsoft has just expanded its Genuine Software Initiative (GSI) with its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Notifications tool. This test pilot program was introduced last November across 7 countries and has been extended to the US, UK, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
This WGA Notifications tool appears as a critical update, however the installation of this program is optional at this time. Once installed, the program will check if the user is running a genuine copy of Windows and if not, a message will appear stating that they have been a victim of software piracy. This message will be permanently displayed on the logon screen and desktop, displayed during the logon stage prompting the user to visit Microsoft's WGA website to learn more and randomly appear up as a balloon from the system tray until the user installs a legitimate copy of Windows.
Users running pirate copies of Windows will also be denied the ability to download or install Internet Explorer 7, Windows Defender as well as several other non-critical updates. However, it will not affect the downloading of critical updates. While the installation of the program is optional at this time, it cannot be uninstalled and is expected to become a mandatory update later in the year.
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The software giant is using the "Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Notifications" tool -- a virtual equivalent of the exploding dye that banks use to mark stolen currency and thus deter theft. WGA automatically checks for genuine copies when customers use Windows Update, Microsoft Update for Windows and Microsoft Download Center. If the tool finds the OS is counterfeit, users see pop-up dialog boxes with messages stating they're not running a legal copy of Windows. The WGA program not only helps Microsoft combat software piracy, but also informs users who may not be aware they paid for non-genuine software. Some more details can be read on this Techtree article. |
If this tool will become installed automatically as part of Windows Updates, then it will be a clear sign that consumers refusing to buy a genuine copy of Windows will start disabling Windows Updates if it means this is the only way to stop this unwanted update coming in. This would in turn lead to more PCs being potentially unprotected from undiscovered security vulnerabilities. As Microsoft previously discovered, leaving pirate OS users open to viruses, worms, etc. leads to more PCs online available to hackers and spammers to turn into zombies for DoS attacks, relaying spam and so on, which is in turn is harmful to those who do have a legitimate copy.
Source: EarthTimes.org
