Microsoft to update Windows 7 over piracy scams

Microsoft is planning to unleash an antipiracy update for Windows 7 after thousands of computers are running the OS illegally.

The optional update to Windows, which closes a number of hacks that counterfeiters have used to bypass the product activation technologies built into Windows 7, will try to restore Windows to its proper state, as well as marking tampered versions as ”non-genuine” copies of the operating system – in a bid to hash out counterfeiters.

According to Joe Williams, general manager at Microsoft’s Genuine Windows unit,  who is responsible for anti-counterfeiting measures, said that this update will see up to ”70 loopholes’ being closed to people whom seek to actively use W7 without a proper license. In an interview, Joe Williams also made it quite clear that using non genuine versions of Windows, especially badly made copies, are incredibly vulnerable to hacks and also vulnerable to system information being taken, such as passwords and bank details, and that MS can not be held responsible for any theft that could take place.

As with all piracy, people whom copy software generally adapt to this kind of behaviour and just find new loopholes and ways to walk around the main codes which are implemeneted by corporations to stop this kind of copying to happen. The question really is, why have MS enabled W7 to be so unsecure to pirates? And furthermore, will regular consumers have to upgrade their licenses in the future?

Microsoft has declined to comment on whether Microsoft will close any of the activation hacks with the first service pack to Windows 7, and has made no announcement as of yet.