What to do if Windows is pirated. Differences between licensed Windows and a pirated copy. Updates are released for licensed Windows

Microsoft has published the results of a study of the security of counterfeit Windows distributions, conducted in early 2011 by Group-IB. Experts analyzed unlicensed copies of Microsoft's operating system - Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
About 25% of discs with counterfeit copies of the operating room Windows systems contain malware, established by experts from Group-IB. According to them, 12.5% ​​of carriers also contain malicious codes designed to steal personal data of users.

Scanning of the distribution kit, and subsequently, of the version of the software product installed from it, was carried out by anti-virus tools from several manufacturers. This method has increased the likelihood of detecting malware. Each software product was analyzed by experts as if it were malicious code and overall performance. The study involved unlicensed copies of the operating system available to Russian users through the main distribution channels: at unauthorized points of sale on physical media (DVD, CD) and on the Internet (torrents and file sharing).
According to research, 94% of all pirated distributions contain mechanisms to bypass the activation of software Windows products potentially negatively affecting the stability of the system. In addition, in 7% of all investigated copies of operating systems, software was found directly designed to steal passwords and other personal data.
In 96% of Windows operating systems available for download from torrents and file hosting services, the original code has been changed - activation bypass has been implemented software that indicates the presence of unwanted or malware. Viruses and Trojans are present in 6% installation files... Most of the detected viruses and Trojans can be used to steal personal data. Interestingly, 29% of unlicensed copies of Windows available for download on file sharing sites turned out to be completely inoperable.

In the case of purchasing a counterfeit copy of Windows at unauthorized points of sale, the risk of becoming a victim of malicious software and, in fact, voluntarily providing personal information to third parties increases several times. Every fourth (25%) of the disks checked by experts contained malware, and 12.5% ​​of the disks included programs to steal passwords and personal data of the user. It is noteworthy that the CDs purchased in three Moscow markets, in some cases, turned out to be beta versions of Windows.
"V recent times Russian users are increasingly using their computers for a wide range of everyday tasks, often entrusting them with the most intimate information, including, for example, access to their bank accounts. This creates a great temptation for all sorts of scammers and criminals who use malware to gain access to this data, ”says Denis Guz, head of the Microsoft licensed software promotion department in Russia. - One of the common methods of carrying out these criminal intentions, as the study shows, is unlicensed software with its extensive network of implementation and millions of potential victims. Microsoft informs users about the risks they bear by installing programs from questionable sources on their computers. This is especially true for the operating system, which appears on the computer even before any third-party protection tools are installed, which, even after installing them, do not always manage to recognize problems in the originally modified system. "
Based on the research materials, Group-IB experts classified the types and methods of placing potential threats arising from the use of pirated distributions:
malicious software built into the distribution;
Malware embedded in activation tools
the presence of code that is not identified as malicious, antivirus software, but potentially carrying out unauthorized actions in the system.
Researchers pay special attention to the following circumstance: the absence of obvious threats during a preliminary scan of a distribution kit with an antivirus does not guarantee that after installation it will not contain previously undetected malware. At the same time, checking the installed OS with antivirus tools will not always be able to detect the presence of malicious or unwanted software. Consequently, counterfeit software always contains high level threats to the user.
“Regular independent review of software for compliance with licensing requirements allows timely identification of existing threats information security users, - said Ilya Sachkov, CEO of Group-IB. - Piracy causes financial damage not only to copyright holders, but also to users. In 60% of incidents investigated by our experts, it was unlicensed software that was one of the main reasons for system compromise and theft. Money". The most optimal way out for those who do not want to buy Windows license this is

Microsoft today officially announced the release of Windows 10 in the summer, and also spoke about strategic partnerships with Chinese companies, which should "help fight piracy", which is actively flourishing in the Middle Kingdom. Then it was said that Microsoft will update even pirated copies to Windows 10 for free, and now the head of Microsoft's Windows division, Terry Myerson, told how exactly updates would take place in the case of legal and pirated systems.

According to Microsoft's position, owners of legal copies of Windows 7 and 8.1 will receive the upgrade to Windows 10 absolutely free. Once updated, these users will receive all new features and security enhancements completely free of charge, "for as long as this device is supported." What exactly do the last words mean (until the device breaks down or, perhaps, for the warranty period?), He did not explain.

In the event that Microsoft detects interference of one kind or another in the system, it will simply find out that copy of windows obtained illegally - a watermark will appear on the desktop informing the buyer that he has an illegal copy installed. Terry Myerson asks users to be careful about this when buying new devices and avoid purchasing gadgets with Windows 10, where there is a watermark on the desktop.

Microsoft's "black mark" means a lack of support from the company and its partners, threatens not to receive updates, even critical security updates. Microsoft emphasizes that a free update will still not be available to users of illegal copies of the system, but the software giant, together with partners, promises to offer "very attractive" conditions for switching to a licensed Windows version 10.

It seems that no additional measures will be taken. Microsoft probably decided that it makes no sense to restrict a copy of an OS that has been identified as pirated. This time, it looks like they won't even be deprived of the screensaver on the desktop.

A paid upgrade to Windows 10 is probably hidden behind the "very attractive" terms of the transition. The amount of money has not yet been announced, but it can be assumed that Microsoft will not ask for a lot of money. This idea is prompted by the recent announcement that Windows 10 will become latest version OS and will be improved according to the service principle. One of the likely options for monetizing Windows 10 is the introduction of a subscription, as previously hinted at by Microsoft COO Kevin Turner. This would be a logical step, given the plans to gradually improve the system. The amount of the transition from a pirated copy will most likely be comparable to the amount of a short-term subscription, since the user will bring money constantly in the future - this is exactly what Microsoft is striving for.

The well-known Finnish antivirus company F-Secure has published a report explaining why the most serious consequences of WannaCry's actions were caused to users from Russia and China. It turned out that a pirated version of Windows was installed on most of the infected computers.

Microsoft has patched the MS17-010 vulnerability exploited by WannaCry back in March 2017. Thus, all legal Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 systems were protected prior to the start of the WannaCrypt campaign.

Since the ransomware infected a large number of old computers, Microsoft decided to deviate from its rules and released the critical security patch KB4012598 for unsupported Windows XP systems and Windows Server 2003. The company urged users of older machines to install the update as soon as possible to protect themselves from WannaCry.

Updates are released for licensed Windows

However, there is one major problem: users of pirated versions cannot install updates, regardless of whether they are using an old, unsupported system or a new serviced OS. Although there are ways to install latest updates on illegal copies of Windows, Microsoft constantly imposes new restrictions, therefore, depending on the version of the system, the task of installing updates on a pirated version can be very difficult.

According to F-Secure, great amount cases of infection were recorded in Russia and China due to the fact that pirated versions of Windows systems are very common in these markets.

F-Secure reports that the size of the infection indicates the number of computers that have not received the security update. This can be due to 3 reasons:

• the patch available in March was not installed for some reason.
• a pirated copy of Windows was used (which does not receive security updates).
• Windows XP was installed on the computer, which is no longer supported and is not receiving updates.

Currently, there are several ways to protect against WannaCry and similar types of malware, but the most convenient, especially if you are using genuine Windows, is to install the latest updates released by Microsoft. For users of pirated versions of Windows, infection WannaCry ransomware is one of the risks they pay for using illegal software.

This is the next stage in development Windows programs Genuine Advantage, which Microsoft quietly launched last September. It consists in the fact that with the help of special software, the legitimacy of this particular copy of Windows is checked. This program will form the basis of Microsoft's campaign to increase the number of paying customers to the millions of people using Windows.

Windows Genuine started out as a voluntary program, but then Microsoft began to require legalization from more and more categories of customers who wanted to download the company's software. For example, in March, Microsoft said that those wishing to download the Windows Foreign Language Pack must prove the authenticity of their copy of Windows.

Beginning Wednesday, US customers whose copies of Windows XP Professional have not been authenticated will be able to receive a free licensed copy. To do this, they will have to fill out a tampering statement and provide Microsoft with their Windows disc and a receipt confirming their purchase.

“Our goal is to ensure that replacement is made to those people who didn’t really know they were being tampered with,” said David Lazar, director of the Genuine Windows program.

Those without a disc or receipt can purchase a licensed copy online for $ 149. It's cheaper than buying a full copy of Windows XP Pro, but more expensive than buying a new PC for Windows.

“At first glance, it seems suicidal to reward pirates with free licensed copies,” comments Ross Rubin, an analyst at The NPD Group. However, Microsoft is getting the opportunity to demonstrate to customers the benefits of official use of the software and the potential benefits they will receive as legitimate customers when future versions are released. In addition, it can help them identify those who are leading the pirate networks. “In the fight against drug trafficking, the police bypass lower-level dealers to get to the drug lords; so they probably want to get to distributors pirated windows", Says Rubin.

Test program
For the time being, the Windows authentication process remains voluntary for most customers, although Microsoft plans to make such a scan mandatory this summer for anyone who wants to download software from the company's website.

For those customers whose copy does not pass verification, most of the downloads related to Windows will not be available, but they will still be able to receive security updates - either by enabling Automatic Update or by manually selecting a specific patch. Windows utility Update, which identifies all the necessary updates and offers to download them, will only work for those whose copy of Windows turned out to be licensed.

However, before the program gets this far, Lazar said, Microsoft wants to try out the upgrade process at work. Hence today's proposal, which will be valid until July 30th. What Microsoft will offer next is unknown. “We knew that in order to fully implement the program, we would have to make such an offer,” Lazar said. "It allows us to check."

Specifically, Microsoft will validate a scan tool that confirms that a customer seeking a legitimate copy of Windows already has everything. required files Windows. This tool verifies the presence and integrity of all genuine system Windows files XP, although Microsoft also ships a CD to customers and recommends to those who have suspicions about possible problems with their copy of Windows, reinstall operating system.

Customer registration
Analysts were concerned that Microsoft could force customers to completely reinstall Windows when upgrading to a licensed version of the operating system.

For now, customers seem to be willing to let Microsoft check their copies of Windows. In the eight months since the start of the program, most of the users surveyed did not mind this. Globally, 48 million customers visited the program page and 27 million, or 56%, indicated that they were willing to be reviewed.

Lazar did not name the exact number of bogus copies Microsoft identified, but said that "the vast majority" of machines have licensed copies of Windows. The global software piracy rate is estimated at about 36%, and Microsoft's results, according to Lazar, are roughly the same as what it was hoping for.

The company tried out a paid upgrade program in China, one of three countries where Windows check authenticity has already become mandatory. Lazar said that "several thousand" customers have accepted the offer to purchase a discounted version of Windows - XP Pro is offered for about $ 150. The vast majority of systems in China have counterfeit copies of Windows.

Michael Cherry, an analyst for Directions on Microsoft, praises Microsoft for being frank about the program's purpose and for having tools to authenticate copies of Windows. At the same time, he expressed his wish that Microsoft better inform customers, helping them to identify fake Windows copies in advance. “This is all very good, but these measures are being taken 'after the fact,'” he says. Consumers are poorly aware of the features Microsoft uses to label its own software, such as Certificate of Authenticity labels and holographic discs. “I doubt my dad knows what a Certificate of Authenticity is,” Cherry said.

Microsoft told how things will be with pirated copies of Windows 10

As is known a new version Windows operating system number 10 will be released this summer. Not so long ago, Microsoft representatives announced that not only holders of licensed copies, but also pirated ones, would be able to upgrade to version 10 for free.

But not everything is as rosy as it was announced. Head of the unit dealing with Windows development Terry Myerson, revealed the details of who and how will be able to upgrade to the new 10 version.

How are things really going at the moment?

As for the owners of licensed Windows 7 and 8.1, they will be able to upgrade (upgrade) to version 10 for free. That is, absolutely all new functions and services will be available to them. new system, at the time of support this device- more precisely, what exactly this means has not yet been explained.

As for the pirate copies ...

That was previously promised free transition they are now prohibited, they still remain illegal without any rights. Now, using counterfeit Windows 10, a watermark will be displayed on the desktop, which indicates that this version the system is illegal.

Microsoft representatives especially ask you to pay attention to this when buying new devices on which such a copy of Windows can be installed.

The status of a pirated copy of the OS means that it will not receive any service updates. The only thing that Microsoft can offer the owners of such copies is the transition to the new licensed version 10 at very favorable terms, perhaps we are talking about a reduced price.

More about any other restrictions in the pirated copy of Windows 10 was not said

Under very favorable terms, most likely, we mean a paid transition to Windows 10. (introductory article review of Windows 10) The possible amount has not yet been announced, but judging by the assurances of the company, it will be small and quite acceptable. This can also be judged by information received recently from Microsoft that the future release of the Windows 10 operating system will be the last.

That is, it will function according to the principle of an online service, with timely updates and improvements. Plus a subscription will appear (again, as in online services, you need to somehow monetize this OS). This is quite understandable, since it was announced about the subsequent continuous improvement of this OS.

As you can see, Microsoft did not keep its promises to switch to a new operating system for everyone. But this is partly due to the possible appearance of a paid subscription. Plus the amount for the holders of pirated versions is promised to be attractive.

It is hard to hide the surprise and interest in the new distribution and support scheme for the new OS from Microsoft. Inexpensive paid subscription now one of the most common schemes for accessing various services and programs. Such an example is the popular video hosting YouTube, which is also gradually introducing it.