James Delahunty
29 Jul 2005 7:30
Windows Genuine Advantage is Microsoft's latest tool in their fight against users who pirate their software. It requires users to check their key using an ActiveX control on the Microsoft download sites before they can get what they are looking for. If running a legit copy, it takes you to the download, if you are running a pirate copy; you are given options to report the source of the copy. You may also be entitled to a free copy or discounted.
But for pirates it must come as great news that Windows Genuine Advantage has in fact been cracked already. It is described as a simple one line hack that turns off the trigger for the key check, allowing users to bypass the test and go straight to a download. This news comes weeks after an Indian man figured out how to use Windows Genuine Advantage to produce legitimate CD keys for Windows XP and XP Pro.
More information on the little hack can be found here. All the user is required to do is paste something into their address bar to bypass the security check. It is important to mention once again that security updates are not included in the mandatory test.
Sources:
The Register
Boing Boing