Microsoft to update Windows 7 and close more than 70 activation hacks

17th February, 2010 by adina
Tags: , ,

Microsoft has recently revealed a Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7 would be released later this month and would close about 70 activation hacks and therefore prevent hackers from accessing the operating system by fraud. This update would periodically check with a server for vulnerabilities. According to Joe Williams, general manager of the Microsoft Genuine Windows anti-counterfeiting unit, no personal information about the users would be sent to the server. The Microsoft official did not specify whether the company would remove any of the activation hacks when launching the first Windows 7 service pack, as the planning of the update is not yet finalized.

As for now, if a copy of Windows 7 is not found to be genuine, Microsoft allows the user to purchase a licensed copy on the spot or at a later date and informs the user of the benefits of using genuine software. This approach is less drastic than the methods the company used with earlier versions, when Microsoft used to limit Internet access.

Referring to CNET, Williams pointed out that many pirated copies of the operating system available for download have malware payloads that could be mainly keystroke loggers, but also other tools that could create problems for the hackers.

The planned update can be manually downloaded starting with February 16th from the Microsoft Genuine website and will also be available the next day from the Microsoft Download center. The update will be sent over by means of Windows Update and will remain optional.


  • Share

 

Readers Comments