Windows 7 RC torrent files infected with trojan

alexkoc — Sat, 02 May 2009 09:12:00 GMT

Wow that was fast, though I don't suppose I should be surprised. Earlier this evening I visited the blog of a colleague of mine and saw in a post of his (thanks M3!) that leaked Windows 7 RC files that were obtained through bittorrent have been found to have been infected with a trojan. I say that I shouldn't be surprised because in research we supported a couple off years ago we discovered that the typical methods that someone would use to find and obtain unlicensed software (much of it over bittorrent) exposed users to significant risk from trojans and other malware.

Not that I have anything against bittorrent. In fact I invited Bram Cohen, creator of Bittorrent and it's protocol, out to Microsoft a few years ago to have an informal conversation about the relationship of the Internet and technology such as Bittorrent to software piracy. As I recall it was a good conversation and I certainly respect him and the technology as innovative and powerful.

I do hope that no one has had any problems as a result of the infected files. This example unfortunately shows that there are those out there who see the significant interest in something such as Windows 7 as an opportunity to try to take advantage of others. In the end this is the same motivation as those who create and sell counterfeit software, to fool users or customers for the purpose of taking advantage of them. When getting something that is free or should be paid for it really is best to go to the source or through authorized distribution to avoid the risks of this kind of thing.

Windows Vista 'Frankenbuilds' spotted in the wild

alexkoc — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:09:00 GMT

Last week saw a reported leak of an RTM build of Windows Vista. The reports I read indicated that there was an RTM build to download from a P2P network or via Bittorrent and instructions for 'hacking' by cobbing together a couple of files that were released with Windows Vista RC1 and using an RC1 or RC2 product key. Thus in our hallway this version has is being referred to as a Franken(stein)-build of Windows Vista.

As most of the coverage I have seen notes, since the product keys being used with these builds were meant to be used with RC1 builds and were not intended for long term use ultimately these installations will be of limited value. If anything this event shows the demand for the improvements that Windows Vista offers.

Question: does this mean Windows Vista is cool?

Genuine Windows Blog : Bittorrent

Windows 7 RC torrent files infected with trojan

Windows Vista 'Frankenbuilds' spotted in the wild