Microsoft has announced technology initiatives to tackle
counterfeit copies of the forthcoming Windows Vista and Windows
Server Longhorn platforms. The developments are also designed to
tighten up licensing for the products.
Microsoft said the technologies are aimed at helping to prevent
piracy and to protect customers from software tampering, while
making licensing easier to manage.
Collectively termed the Microsoft Software Protection Platform,
the company said the new technologies will improve how Microsoft
software activates, is validated on-line, and behaves when
tampering or hacking is detected.
Microsoft will be hoping that its initiative will avoid the
problems faced by some Windows XP users when using the existing
Windows Genuine Advantage program, also designed to counter fake
software.
Some users have reported erroneous messages appearing on their
computers, claiming they are running counterfeit software when they
are not.
Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft’s Genuine Software
Initiative, said that customers using genuine and licensed copies
of Windows Vista will have access to Windows Aero and Windows
ReadyBoost features, as well as full functionality of Windows
Defender and extra optional updates from Windows Update.
Computer systems that do not pass validation will not have
access to these features, although they will still have access to
critical security updates.
Aero offers an optimised desktop experience and is available in
Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business and Windows
Vista Ultimate.
ReadyBoost allows a removable flash memory device to be used to
improve system performance without opening the computer to install
additional memory. Windows Defender helps protect a user’s PC
against pop-ups and security threats caused by spyware and other
malware.
In addition, users of non-genuine Windows Vista software will be
notified if their copy of Windows Vista is determined to be
non-genuine, with the appearance of a persistent statement in the
lower right hand corner of their desktop space that reads, “This
copy of Windows is not genuine”.
As with Windows XP, Windows Vista systems will have to be
activated on-line with Microsoft with a genuine product key within
30 days.
Failure to do so will result in the system operating in reduced
functionality mode until a genuine product key is used to activate
and a successful validation occurs.