Microsoft secretly fights against piracy

27th May 2008

Microsoft began spreading via Windows Update system a specialized tool to identify pirated copies of Windows Vista.
To circumvent Windows Vista activation procedure hacker tools of Grace Timer and Paradox OEM BIOS are commonly used. Grace Timer increases time of activation the operating system till the end of the century. Paradox OEM BIOS, in its turn, makes changes in the basic input/output system of PC (BIOS), making Windows Vista believe that it is legal.
Tools for detecting means of bypassing the activation process are already built into the first service pack for Windows Vista. But Microsoft, apparently, decided to strengthen its protection and released an anti-hacker module separately in the form of update, under the vital status. This update is delivered to computers with the activated system of automatic updates. In addition, the update is indicated in the list of components available for manual download.
The observers note that when detecting Grace Timer or Paradox OEM BIOS, the anti-hacker module of Microsoft offers to visit a special page with instructions to remove malicious software. However, if the PC owner refuses to delete the cracks, Microsoft still deactivates them. As a result, the user would require a legal key to activate the operating system.