Bull3t

Efforts to stamp out piracy have been with computers since it became possible to make a copy of a program and run it on another computer successfully. Anti-piracy software, code wheels, license keys, hardware dongles and more all failed in some way, either through the use of a master key code, a crack that turned trial software into the full version, removed the check for dongles, or somehow picked the lock of anti-protections.

But now that almost all computers and an increasing array of electronic devices are almost permanently connected to the Internet, or can be wirelessly Net connected in just a few seconds, anti-piracy features that are delivered and updated over the Internet are starting to change this forever.

Copies of Vista and Office 2007 installed from a friend’s CD or DVD will need a valid license key within 30 days or will enter into a ‘reduced functionality mode’, severely limited the ability to use the software. This is actually nothing new, with XP and Office 2003 already having these features for years.

But with the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and the nearly 18 month old Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program in full swing, even if pirates are able to ‘crack’ copies of Vista and Office 2007 to work without activation, if you want to get Vista and Office updates, you’ll be subjected to a Genuine Advantage check. If you don’t pass, you don’t get updates.

With Vista, it might get more serious that than. The Software Protection Program (SPP) may kick in and give you nothing but a browser screen and Internet access (if it’s already automatically on), and logging you out after an hour. You can keep logging in every hour, but with only access to one browser window, you’ll need to make your software legitimate, either by buying a license key online there and then with a credit card, or loading a licensed copy of Vista from DVD.

That’s what already happens after 30 days with Vista if you haven’t activated your copy, but if Microsoft could detect that your copy was pirated with some kind of crack, they could easily get this to activate immediately or with very little warning.

If that happens to pirates, they won’t be very happy, and what will ensue is a tit-for-tat war between pirates and Microsoft, with the pirates breaking the protections and then Microsoft identifying the pirate copy and the cycle starting again, virtually ad infinitum like a guerrilla war.

Details - http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/7420/52/

bakuryu

I think WGA was cracked within hours that it was released. MS updated their WGA checks, and so did the crackers

Adn what if someone install's Vista for 30 days, un-installs and then installs again ? The RTM took only 20 mins for complete installation, so it's not much of a time waste .

Microsoft makes big claims (always) but in reality the story has always been quite different. Wiht these new features it's true there won't be any permanent crack/hack to these apps, one just needs to stay updated with the net.

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chaoscreater

lol only noobs "DON'T KNOW HOW TO CRACK" programs.....most programs, in fact 90% of the programs can be cracked, u just have to be "PRO" to do it....i cracked my Vista and Microsoft office 2007, if ur smart enough to search for topics on forums then u should also be smart enough to search on Google and type "How to permanantly activate Windows Vista", i used a crack called "timestopper" and it basically stops the activation timer from counting down so it freezes the 30 days activation and u can use it free forever, u can still get updates from Microsoft and it works exactly the same as a real copy......there're tons of ways to crack it only if u do some research before assuming it can't be cracked.....if u want screenshots, go to FFXI Guild - The Essence of Gaming :: Index and u can find tons of topics there.......(btw i'm not advertising forums here)

pixelpainter

As you say there are always hackers coming up with new ideas, and there is a newer one out that fools Microsoft into thinking Vista is a pre-installed OEM OS. From what I have understood this is better, since it only affects the boot files and does not change any of the OS files, MS reads it as a legitimate copy of Vista.

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