Windoze XP security issue
 

Can windoze or the FBI find out if people have pirated versions of windoze xp?  I heard this is supposed to be very protective and all but if people do crack it, can the fbi find out easily?  tell me what you have heard

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

well well well
since IE4.0 there is a security hole called "install on demand". That is a default option, making possible to install/run scripts on your machine without notification. It is used with various scripts pulling info about your configuration (OS, browser, resolution, color depth, certain components version and thousands things you have no idea about).
These scripts get info straight from windows registry, since your windows CD key located there it can be checked by some scripts and later verified against database and if you're using "backup copy" of windows ;) thing happen ... I've heard this script installed somewhere on microsoft.com
and some ppl are stupid enough to register pirated versions there

Another thing is windows update. Here you can't even imagine what info is pulled from your registry.

how to prevent :
disable install on demand in IE, don't register OS with your real name during installation, don't log with your real name, don't register pirated OS in any way on internet, disable windows update, USE LEGAL SOFTWARE ;)

p.s. actually micro isn't hunting single users cause it's not cost effective, but if certain business has 100's of pirated OSs installed there is a huge chance they'll pay for it anyway

About FBI. Why on earth they would like to spy on you ??

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

Yeah i just saw a thing on this the other day...im sure that u guys have heard about Carnivore...recently renamed Majic Lantern...the FBI supposedly uses these coded programs to catch terrorists via email.  its only suppose to check the sender and reciever of email, not content of it (body, subject, date) but that would be like a pit bull... if it bites you, its not going to nip a little of your pinky finger, its gonna rip an arm or leg off!  This has been around for a long time now and has increase popularity amoungst the FBI since 9/11/01.  Many people have protested against this saying that it just isnt right and has no need.  Piracy was a major issue in this topic due to all of it that goes around in major corporations and buisnesess. Im not sure that windows can detect this piracy of there programs, but im very confident that the many secrets that the FBI has with cyber crime (that was the shows name, as well) will join together and work their powers to find out anything about any computer.......

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

That was some very helpful tips thanks chef and soccer.  But I am wondering ..i know they can get my ip some how, and they dont need my name to know where I live.  they just need my ip, correct..do you think it is pretty much safe to use a pirated windoze xp?

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

yet another reason I stick with 98SE

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

-bilo86-

Well what was your former OS...if it was 98 or higher, u mine as well stick w/ that if ur XP is pirated, but i am sure that there are thousands of pirated XP's out there, and im sure that they are not going to hunt u specifically down.  Being that it is very easy to copy XP...i am sure that it is all around, im even sure that some of these members on NS have pirated OS systems...heck i almost accepted a burnt copy of XP from a friend, but i decieded to just stick w/ my win98!

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

there are tons of ways that they could tell if you had a pirated version but most of them illegal without your permission to let them, and unless your part of a million dollar pirate ring they aren't going to risk a courtcase for illegally using your computer to see your personal data etc...

so basically they can't legally see if you have a pirated version of any of their software

there are billions of ways to get your ip, for starters just typin an internet address logs your ip in a logfile on some server miles away, posting that message the admins can see your ip, sendin an email, basically any activity on the net people can get your ip from, the only way to mask it would be to use a proxy (find out what it is yourself :))

it is possible to get your address from your ip by resolving it to your hostname which basically gives them your ISP, they call them up and find out who's account that address was at a certain time, again this would only be done if your into some serious stuff and not just any old script kiddie of the street could do that

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

Guys,
Would probally be a good idea for you read and be familliar with what MS is doing along that topic.
Here is a good article on it.
------------------
MS turns up heat on warezed WinXP copies

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Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

That is true Rouge. Although thiers something called anonymous proxy servers that you can use for email/surfing and whatnot. But finding a good and fast one that won't reject you can sometimes be a little hard. And if you're behind a hardware firewall like I already am, sometimes dosen't help.

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

I run 98SE as well. It may not be as stable but from what I have seen and heard I have made the correct choice,

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

98SE is very stable for me. It has a hickup every once in a while. But sometimes I can go to two days without any crashes. I've already been able to find ways arond certain crashes (one specific one is a video crash, usually happens when I exit fullscreen dos mode into windows mode, the screen gets all corrupt (I'll try to take a picture next time of this phenomenon)).

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

and also how long till someone who has a leagl version creates their own patch that will work in an illegal version? You know it's possible.

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

not only could it happen but i assume that it would be quite easy as well!!!

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

Actually this doesn't matter what OS you use, your IP is enough to obtain all the personal info about you from ISP and then take all the legal actions. But you have nothing to worry about as MS doesn't hunt individuals (again this is not cost-effective). And FBI doesn't care if you have "backup copy" of XP.
However, connecting to internet you may want to prevent from "certain" applications to access the Web. Windows update can be activated without your knowledge ! But you may set it accordingly.

So installing some sort of personal firewall (Zone Alarm probably the most popular) would block outgoing traffic from your machine. Also some software utilities spy on you (u c lots of posts about). Don't let to applications you know nothing about to access the Web.


Good luck
Chef

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

Buy the software.  Good God, the worry you have you'll be caught is not worth just paying for it.  If you pirate, you are stealing.  Stealing is wrong, and will make you feel guilty, and you will worry, a little, everytime that commercial runs on the radio about the "software police" and ex-employees or such turning you in.  I agree, single users have little to fear about being caught.  I would not like worrying about it every time I go for an update, or a patch.  Thats when I think they could notice an illegal copy.  Its like with shareware; I pay for the good ones, that way they make money and will create more good software.  Without compensation, they will not be around to support or offer new stuff.  What I hate, is when I buy something like Win ME and it just sucks, and you have no recourse.  I feel Micrsux owes me an OS for that,

Re: Windoze XP security issue
 

about using open proxy servers... the IRC network i use doesn't like them and kicks you off for using them (not sure of the full reason but there must be somethin against them!)

anyway, no-one is fully anonymous, that proxy server could be logging everything you do, then the FBI or whoever can just get a warrant to get the logs, then they have a complete list of everything you did in one place, so in effect its worse!