Does this qualify as a Wow moment?

Mar 27, 2007 11:18 GMT  ·  By

Didn't Microsoft applaud the fact that Windows Vista will be revolutionary and reshape the desktop landscape? It certainly did. The "Wow Starts Now" marketing campaign aims to onomatopoeically quantify the impact that Windows Vista will deliver to the market. Well one thing that Windows Vista brought new to the table is new developing strategies for the hackers that take a swing at Microsoft's latest operating system.

Hackers are in fact adopting the same methods as genuine software developers when it comes to building Windows Vista cracks. One of the workarounds to activating Windows Vista involves patching the motherboard's BIOS and using OEM certificates in order to bypass the activation process of the operating system.

Windows Vista All Versions Activator FF2.1.2.0.9 Beta is a crack authored by shahjinn and cheerzm8 and it is a variation of Vista BIOS crack. However, the original process that involved a tedious manual process has been automated and streamlined with the help of a graphical user interface. According to its creator, the Vista Activator is currently in beta stage because more brands and logos are being added.

The vote is still out on the Beta Vista Activator with some users reporting that the crack is not functional while other praise it for its success. But the detail that takes the center stage is the Beta phase of the Vista crack. What's next, Beta 2? Release Candidate? Gold? This is the first Windows Vista workaround that I have come across that has stages mirroring genuine software development.

I cannot stop and think if besides adding OEMs to the Vista BIOS workaround the author will also resolve bugs, security vulnerabilities and user suggestions. One thing that I wouldn't want to be though is a Windows Vista All Versions Activator FF2.1.2.0.9 Beta tester. Nothing good can come of such a thing.

As of yet, Microsoft has not addressed in any manner the issue of illegal OEM activation of Windows Vista via BIOS patches. However, Windows Genuine Advantage team does receive a consistent amount of reports about ineffective workarounds. And since they are not tackling it in any way, this might just be one of those cases.

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