Hackers crack Windows 7 activation

[WoodPeckr]

Not surprised at all. DRM has been cracked and now this before Win7 even hits the markets.

Hackers rumored to have cracked Windows 7 activation

Dong Ngo - July 29, 2009 3:51 PM PDT

Microsoft only just released final code for Windows 7 to manufacturers and the company is already facing a security risk.


The Windows Genuine Advantage antipiracy system in the Windows 7 Ultimate release to manufacturers (RTM) has reportedly been compromised by some Chinese hackers, according to a variety of Chinese forums, and first reported by Neowin.com.This means the user can fully activate the software offline without connecting to Microsoft's activation server.

The software's RTM code is generally the same as the retail code, which will be available to the public in October. PC makers tend to get the final product with plenty of time in advance of the launch to make their products ready on the launch date.

It must have been a complicated process, but in a nutshell, hackers reportedly used the leaked ISO file to get hold of the activation certificate that Microsoft digitally signed for the original equipment manufacturer, or OEM version of Windows 7. It's rumored that the key that got hacked is one that can be used to activate multiple OEM-branded installations, such as Dell's, HP's, or, of course, Lenovo's.

I am no fan of the activation, (it's a pain when you change computer parts, which I do very frequently) but this is rather upsetting news. I am sure, in no time, you will be able to buy a copy of Windows 7 in China or Vietnam for less than a dollar.

 

[Hobbyer]

No matter how secure, anything non-military grade can be cracked given enough resources and talent. Windows is popular enough that underground pirated sales are profitable. We're talking about organized crime here not some kid in his bedroom (although they can too). Powerful syndicates with the resources to pay the best hackers to get this stuff done, in a commercialized way. And when hacking doesn't work, pure bribary works pretty well too. "Leaked" my ass.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Yep when your Number 1 like M$, there's a big target on your back....

 

[Garrett]

No matter how secure, anything non-military grade can be cracked given enough resources and talent.

I do not agree with this. There are secure applications around, non military, that effectively cannot be compromised in a lifetime. The OEM exposure is a special case.

 

[tboy]

I'm actually surprised they (Microsoft) hasn't developed a "chip" that is sold with their OS software that needs to be plugged into A computer in order for the OS to operate.

Kind of like a USB card that has to be installed or something like that.

 

[Cassini]

I'm actually surprised they (Microsoft) hasn't developed a "chip" that is sold with their OS software that needs to be plugged into A computer in order for the OS to operate.

Kind of like a USB card that has to be installed or something like that.

They already have. Microsoft is playing a very clever game. They want enough piracy to encourage the dominance of Windows. At the same time, the want to discourage enough piracy to maximize profits, while simultaneously not pissing off users so they switch to a different O/S.

It is tricky to simultaneously encourage piracy while officially discouraging it. It is also tough to not piss off users with your anti-piracy tools too.

Microsoft is walking a very complicated line.

 

[BoringBob]

For the cracking, you have to consider this:

Windows 7 was an open download, you just needed an email address to get a key. Create hundreds of addresses, get hundreds of keys, and you already have enough data to detemine a pattern.

There is no indication that the release version of windows7 will use exactly the same system for verification, and in fact is very likely NOT to use the same. So they have hacked nothing except perhaps themselves.

Notice also, on a recent trip to Shenzhen,China, a street hawker outside some computer stores tried to sell me a nicely packaged copy of Windows7, looking exactly like a microsoft package with a nice holographic image and everything - this weeks before Microsoft even tied down it's initial commercial version of the software. So I tend to take "chinese hackers" with a grain of salt at this point.

 

[SilentLeviathan]

I'm actually surprised they (Microsoft) hasn't developed a "chip" that is sold with their OS software that needs to be plugged into A computer in order for the OS to operate.

Kind of like a USB card that has to be installed or something like that.

They could but do you know the public upraor over that? A lot of programs used to have dongles that had to be plugged in to the computer for the program to work but for a number of reasons they're no longer popular.

 

[Tangwhich]

I'm actually surprised they (Microsoft) hasn't developed a "chip" that is sold with their OS software that needs to be plugged into A computer in order for the OS to operate.

Kind of like a USB card that has to be installed or something like that.

Such a technology exists and has for a very long time. They are called Dongles. I know that auto-cad used to require one well over a decade ago. I don't know if it or any other software still uses them.

I agree 100% with Cassini. Officially MS (and other software companies) are against piracy, but a certain amount of it is not only tolerated, but condoned.

 

[Hobbyer]

I do not agree with this. There are secure applications around, non military, that effectively cannot be compromised in a lifetime. The OEM exposure is a special case.

You are right, I didn't word that correctly. What I meant to say was compromised, which is why I say when hacking doesn't work, bribrary works pretty good too.

 

[svtcobra]

They already have. Microsoft is playing a very clever game. They want enough piracy to encourage the dominance of Windows. At the same time, the want to discourage enough piracy to maximize profits, while simultaneously not pissing off users so they switch to a different O/S.

It is tricky to simultaneously encourage piracy while officially discouraging it. It is also tough to not piss off users with your anti-piracy tools too.

Microsoft is walking a very complicated line.

I'm happy someone posted this..

I totally agree on this user words.

You have to think outside the box and Mr. Gates and his team all know what they are doing.

 

[KBear]

They already have. Microsoft is playing a very clever game. They want enough piracy to encourage the dominance of Windows. At the same time, the want to discourage enough piracy to maximize profits, while simultaneously not pissing off users so they switch to a different O/S.

It is tricky to simultaneously encourage piracy while officially discouraging it. It is also tough to not piss off users with your anti-piracy tools too.

Microsoft is walking a very complicated line.

Think MS have been doing this from the beginning. The MS software seems to have always available to copy. Businesses must buy it, or face charges. There were many other software packages that were protected, and are now history.

Don’t understand how the pirated software can be updated online though.

 

[Horney_Senior]

I am sure, in no time, you will be able to buy a copy of Windows 7 in China or Vietnam for less than a dollar.

It may be cheap, but prices in China do go above a dollar. That only buys a litre of gas over there now.

 

[Hobbyer]

Don’t understand how the pirated software can be updated online though.

Online updating is hit and miss with pirated stuff, and is the main reason why I'd always go legit for an O/S. However, given the relatively cheap costs of pirated (i.e. free) most people who use patched copies just get the next pirated version which contains the latest patches built in.

 

[WoodPeckr]

... given the relatively cheap costs of pirated (i.e. free) most people who use patched copies just get the next pirated version which contains the latest patches built in.

Exactly!
A gamer buddy at work who builds his own PCs, claims he never paid for any OS and only had trouble once years ago with a pirated XP Media Edition copy that M$ caught. He said all he had to do was get another cracked license key and he was go to go. Then he came across a nice looking XP Pro copy and used that for years. Now he's running Vista Ultimate with no problems along with the legit beta copy of Windows 7. He says with encription being just broken on Win7 he should be able to use Win7 with no problems either.
He gives Win7 rave reviews and thinks M$ may have finally done something right.

 

[Caralho Gigante]

Ive got your dongle right here.

(squeezes package)

 

[pjoe43]

Counterfeit versions often run better than originals today

HAHA.
Dongles are so gay and have been hacked to the point of being ineffective. In counterfeit versions of a program, the code to check for a dongle is often deleted or circumvented. As a result, the counterfeit version may be easier to use and thus may seem preferable to the original.

Point is everthing today can be hacked or beaten with a little bribery.

 

[canucklehead]

Exactly!
A gamer buddy at work who builds his own PCs, claims he never paid for any OS and only had trouble once years ago with a pirated XP Media Edition copy that M$ caught. He said all he had to do was get another cracked license key and he was go to go. Then he came across a nice looking XP Pro copy and used that for years. Now he's running Vista Ultimate with no problems along with the legit beta copy of Windows 7. He says with encription being just broken on Win7 he should be able to use Win7 with no problems either.
He gives Win7 rave reviews and thinks M$ may have finally done something right.

the "black" (russian group) version of xp and vista has been updated regularly for years.....

 

[enyaw]

Be patient hounds, I also have a cracked vista ultimate. But vista is shit. Running the beta 7 and way more snappy. By xmas the cracked 7 will be out for sure. Keyless install. I get updates and it is a legit copy, from some tech at a store. Also if you buy a new pc when it's released you will get your legit copy. Don't sweat it bros.

 

[Dirtyoldbasturd]

Be patient hounds, I also have a cracked vista ultimate. But vista is shit. Running the beta 7 and way more snappy. By xmas the cracked 7 will be out for sure. Keyless install. I get updates and it is a legit copy, from some tech at a store. Also if you buy a new pc when it's released you will get your legit copy. Don't sweat it bros.

I too have been using a cracked version of Windows 7 64 bit. Cracked version of Win 7 have been out for 5-6 months now, Micro Soft leaked out a few versions of Win 7 32 bit and 64 bit so that hackers can work all the bugs out for them for free.
The newest version I'm running now is great. I love the new Win 7, snappy like you said and I have no problem with finding the latest driver, I get all the latest updates with no problems. I used a good patch program.

LOVE them torrent sites