Microsoft doesn’t seem to have any abrupt plans to embark upon a reported hack to Windows Vista product activation, which is claimed to enable illegitimate copies of Windows to be extensively deployed. Microsoft hinted that the hack does not appear to be considered as a large-scale threat, though it could be active if more hackers see crack-ing Windows Vista’s OEM product activation as a challenge to be discussed.
Microsoft senior product manager, blogged:
Because Windows Vista can’t be pirated as easily as Windows XP, it’s possible that the increased pressure will result in more interest in efforts to hack the OEM Activation 2.0 implementation.
Microsoft acted in response to the following reports that claims that Windows Vista’s OEM Activation (OA) 2.0 has been cracked. OA makes use of pre-deployed code on the BIOS of an OEM’d PC motherboard to spot the machine as pre-deployed with a licensed copy of Windows. The company has hitherto spotted two approaches to breaking OA 2.0. One is related to editing the BIOS on the motherboard to look as if it has come from a legal OEM, whereas the 2nd makes use of software to sway Windows Vista it is being operated on OA 2.0- ready hardware.
Comments
The Net is full of Vista hacks for activation of the OS using the process of cloning the BIOS to enable loading and activation of the product. Well they better not play down the threat for it will put to rest the huge hype of a secure OS as promised by Microsoft.