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

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 ??

[MIK3]

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.......

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?

[Uranium-235]

yet another reason I stick with 98SE

[MIK3]

-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!

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

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.
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MS turns up heat on warezed WinXP copies

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[Uranium-235]

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.

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,