February 27th, 2008
KB940510 highlights some counterfeit Windows installations
Yesterday Microsoft released a new update for Windows Vista via Windows Update - KB940510. This update, when installed, will detect certain software used to bypass Windows product activation.
Check out the full image gallery here.
Here’s how Microsoft describes this latest update:
This update enables Windows Vista to detect activation exploits that bypass product activation and that interfere with usual Windows operation. An exploit is a form of software that replaces or modifies authentic Windows components. When exploits are present on a system, it indicates that a software or hardware vendor may have tampered with genuine Windows to enable the sale of counterfeit software. Therefore, the security and the privacy of the computer are put at risk. After this update is installed, you will know if exploits are present on the system.
And here’s what it does:
When the update is installed, no functionality of your operating system will be affected. If no exploits are detected, the update silently exits. If exploits are detected, you will be provided a link to a Web site that describes how you can remove the exploits. When the exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate your copy of Windows. If you do not want to remove the exploits, Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you to use a valid product key to activate Windows.
Let’s take a look at this update in action. To do that we need a Windows installation that’s cracked by one of the hacks that this new update picks up on - I’ll be using the Paradox OEM BIOS hack.
Then we have to wait for the update to appear … this came in yesterday on some systems but not on others, so it’s a waiting game …
… waiting … waiting …
Ahh! There it is!
OK, let’s install it and see what happens …
Next –>
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Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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| 02/27/08
