Microsoft launches 'Genuine' antipiracy initiative

Microsoft on Thursday launched an antipiracy initiative, seeking to combine its education, engineering and enforcement efforts to stop counterfeiting and piracy of its software. Under its Genuine Microsoft Software initiative, the software giant is trying a three-pronged program. As part of its educational efforts, Microsoft plans to work with industry partners to inform users of the potential of infecting their systems with spyware or other types of malware when downloading counterfeit software.

Microsoft also plans to warn users when their systems may be at risk, because counterfeit software does not provide the mechanism needed to get Microsoft's updates. The company also plans to continue its engineering investments in antipiracy technologies. Users, for example, are able to test the authenticity of their software via the Genuine Microsoft Software site. And Microsoft noted that it will continue to support law enforcement and government efforts to curtail counterfeiting and piracy.

[maddogthegreat]

Microsoft can't verify their own software

The March verify program is failing to okay valid XP programs. Out of 50+ machines I had 2 fail until MS sent us a new program.

[Ganymede28211]

You know Microsoft...

If it's not fixed by now, it's a feature. But as a software developmer myself, I know that no matter how many tests I run, the field will always pick up 1-5% of the bug fix incidents.

[wbenton]

Lack of Security at it's UTMOST

Security is all about:

Secrecy: Encryption... keeping things private

Authentication: Confirming the person and/or application is what/whom they say they are.

Integrity: Ensuring that what is supposed to be... is as it's supposed to be... unmodified and in it's original content.

This is WHAT security is about. It's been around for thousands of years... ever since the Pharao's entombed the pyramid designers in the pyramids with the Pharao's themselves to keep the secrecy of the true path hidden.

Past encrption methods have all been discovered as will current encryption methods be discovered in the future.

Past authentication methods included the likes of changeable code words spoken before allowing one to pass over a bridge or enter a castle.

Similarly, wax seals with the King's emblem embedded on them were used as integrity checkers.

We're now standing thousands of years later at 2006... but the game is still the same.

If Microsoft cannot authenticate their own products... then they're doomed to their own lack of authenticatable, integrity protected security!!!

Walt