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12 Apr 2007
Microsoft says it's monitoring a method that allows users to install pirated copies of Windows without tipping of built in anti-piracy protections, but isn't yet committing to closing the loophole.
It all has to do with a feature dubbed OEM Activation: a method that allows system builders to verify the authenticity of a Windows copy, no questions asked. It relies on a special marker in the BIOS. Add the marker to your BIOS, or emulate that it's there, and Microsoft will stop bugging you.
Tinkering with your BIOS isn't something that you want to do. If you do it wrong, there's a good change that your computer will simply refuse to boot up. You can't rely on simple third party tool either, because the BIOS differs between system vendors and even computer models.
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<p>bios/crack on windows for use Networ LAN.</p>
Posted by: nguyen van hung 09 May 2007
<p>RE: Jay... Interesting thought. What you're referring to would amount to the hacker flashing your BIOS. That's exactly what the Chernobyl virus did in 1998 (<a href="http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_10300.htm),"><a href="http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_10300.htm),">http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_10300.htm),</a></a> but we haven't seen any of these threats since. They are difficult to craft, and Windows offers plenty of other security holes to attack instead. It's mostly a matter of going after the low hanging fruit.</p>
Posted by: SV Sleuth 12 Apr 2007
<p>So would it be possible for a hacker/malware/cyberterrorist to write software that emulates a bios that does not have this in it even if it did - effectively making the machine refuse to boot? if that could be delivered as a time bomb style payload - wow on a certain date PC's all over the world would refuse to boot</p>
Posted by: Jay 12 Apr 2007