Windows pirates encouraged to install security patches

[evilfantasy]

Interesting article. Basically, even if you do steal their software they want you to patch it. Not doing so puts everyone at risk and enhances the chance that a virus will continue to be spread.

Users of pirated copies of Windows take heed: you should stay current on all Microsoft security patches just like everybody else.

Microsoft has long had a policy of giving Windows pirates a free pass to download security patches. Yet many of the tens of millions of Windows pirates worldwide may not be aware of this policy, nor trust that Microsoft won't try to somehow penalize them, says Chester Wisniewski, security analyst at Sophos.

Full article: Windows pirates encouraged to install security patches - USATODAY.com

[arraknid]

I doubt anyone using pirated copies of Windows will fall for that one. The final question is very telling...

TL: What assurance do Windows pirates have that Microsoft won't try to somehow penalize them when they download security patches?

Microsoft: We like to work with customers who have non-genuine copies of Windows, and at the same time work to improve the overall health of the Internet by fighting malware. We will continue this path of constructive engagement with our customers.

Did that answer the question? I think not. Sounds more like double speak.

[evilfantasy]

People are smart enough to download and install a cracked OS but many fail to also download the simple crack that disables the MS ******* ********* check which allows updates. ( I'm purposely avoiding calling it by it's name )

[arraknid]

Not to mention certain software that will download all updates, whether the OS is pirated or not.

[evilfantasy]

Yep. I don't think you need to pass the test to download the ISO do you?

[arraknid]

I suppose your average punter thinks it's easy, which actually it is (too easy actually!), but boy do they screw it up. I've lost count of the machines I've had to fix privately that had pirated software installed. Virtually all decided to go the legal route eventually, so maybe the 'try before you buy' argument does work.