Half of pirated Vista is malware Vista News Discuss Half of pirated Vista is malware in the Windows Vista forums; I thought I would share this. Always be careful when downloading Vista from unknown sources. "Alleged "cracked" versions of Vista appearing on peer-to-peer networks often ...

[dsljay]

I thought I would share this. Always be careful when downloading Vista from unknown sources.
"Alleged "cracked" versions of Vista appearing on peer-to-peer networks often turn out to be Trojan horses

About half of the downloads claiming to be free versions of Microsoft's Vista operating system are actually malicious Trojan horse software, security vendor DriveSentry warned Thursday"

To read the full article:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/...edvista_1.html

[felix8406]

Thanks for the info. Those are the chances everyone takes when downloading what we believe is free...but nothing is safe.

[Znod]

Very interesting. The article is related to my firewall "question." Funny that the article does not say what the trojans do.

[jayaustin]

This is why you should never download software from a source you do not know. Anything can be added (and something useually is) that can do all types of things. Save your money and pay for the software. Pirating is one thing that makes the prices high for the rest of us.

[Znod]

I don't pirate. I pay for all of my software or obtain it legally otherwise (see snip). And, yes, I know why P2P, for example, can cause big trouble.

[crabby]

Basically, whoever gets caught by these things deserves it!

crabby

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

Znod how are you (I assume) "trialing" office UL I could only find up to pro+ Note: It might be different because im in the UK?

[Snuffy]

I have Downloaded many different versions of VISTA off the web..and each file/iso is scanned by AVAST, BitDefender & ParetoLogic which if they find a "BAD" part simply refuse to allow that to be DL'd.. MSDN, Technet, and WinBeta, Microsoft and other reliable sources have GOOD versions to DL which can be use for TESTING..
If your Downloading a know hacked/cracked version of Vista or other Software you are (IMHO) asking for 1. your entire HD being deleted, or 2. formatted, or 3. having Malware or Trojan Downloaders installed...
I have found NOT ONE Version that I Downloaded to have any Malware, Trojans, Viris, Spyware (unless you consider what MS adds as spyware).
MS know that I'm opening my Hotmail account with Vista..(spyware), All the sites I looked at offered 1. Vista and 2. cracks to be added. (I open every ISO and view it prior to simply clicking setup).

[Znod]

I am getting used to it Josh. I have to search a tad to find some things even in Word and Excel, but I like UL very much. I still haven't found time to get into some of the programs I know little about in general.

[madcats]

I agree Snuffy, I think most of (pirates...?) who have tested every version since Beta2, have done Microsoft big favours, by responding to MS "customer response" reroblems running software & hardware in improving Vista builds.
I think MS's response to my use of "OneCare" Media Center" "Office" has been why I will buy at least 3 full licences on Tuesday. & I haven't seen a virus in these very enjoyable 5 months of testing, with my activation being extended.