Microsoft does battle with Vista pirates

Windows Vista has only just celebrated its two week birthday and Microsoft is having to battle with pirates intent on tinkering with the operating system's product activation mechanism.

The software giant says that it has seen a number of attempts to workaround the activation process in recent weeks and it believes these instances are just the start.

Two bypass methods in particular have stood out.

The first has been dubbed 'frankenbuild' by Microsoft because it merges files from an RC build with an RTM build to create a hybrid that bypasses activation.

The second workaround makes use of virtualisation technology and the activation methods normally used by larger businesses.

The company is now plying its engineering resources to respond address the issues.

"Windows Vista will use the new Windows Update client to require only the 'frankenbuild' systems to go through a genuine validation check," the company said on its Windows Genuine Advantage programme blog.

"These systems will fail that check because we have blocked the RC keys for systems not authorised to use them. In other words, the wrong key is being used. The systems will then be flagged as non-genuine systems."

Flagged versions of the OS will have 30 days in which to produce a valid product key otherwise users will find themselves operating in reduced functionality mode.

"We hope that this action will help get the message out that pirating Windows Vista will have real consequences and will, in turn, encourage people to check before they buy," the blog added.

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