Microsoft confirms Vista OEM hack

Tags: windows + vista + hack + virus + OEM

I know Vista was hacked already, but this is the first time that I read that Microsoft came out and admit to it.... this is supposed to be M$'s most secured software, but the activation hack seems easy enough. There was a recent "animated" icon problem (see the video here: http://blogs.chron.com/...ursor.html ) which is quite scary considering that the desktop will EXECUTE a malicious ani file.

Anyway, see the associated link for more details on MS confirming Vista hack, here's an excerpt from the article:

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By Caroline McCarthy
Staff writer, CNET News.com
Published: April 12, 2007, 12:08 PM PDT

Microsoft confirms Vista OEM hack

In response to widespread chatter on blogs and forums, Microsoft has acknowledged the presence of hacks that may allow pirates to bypass the product activation security feature in its Windows Vista operating system.

According to a post ( http://blogs.msdn.com/w...hacks.aspx ) by Microsoft Senior Product Manager Alex Kochis on the Windows Genuine Advantage developers' blog, Microsoft has identified two ways in which hackers have broken the product activation security feature on original equipment manufacturer PCs that come bundled with Vista. But the Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant does not yet have plans to snuff out this threat.

"We focus on hacks that pose threats to our customers, partners and products," Kochis wrote. "Our goal isn't to stop every 'mad scientist' that's on a mission to hack Windows. Our first goal is to disrupt the business model of organized counterfeiters and protect users from becoming unknowing victims."

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