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Windows 7 Anti-Piracy Update Is Now Live, Pirates Can Still Avoid It
The Windows 7 anti-piracy update which pirates were fearing is now live getting distributed as KB971033 via Windows Update, the Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) update is tagged important and features detection of more then 70 known Windows 7 activation hacks and cracks informing users of their genuine copy status taking actions if usage of piracy is detected.
However, pirates can still dodge this update by simply not opting to install it or even uninstalling it from Windows Update -> Installed Updates section, they can even restore to a pre-KB971033-update state as Windows creates an automatic restore point before installing updates.
Here is some more official information what KB971033 is capable of doing :
This update for Windows Activation Technologies helps detect validation errors and activation exploits. This update also detects any tampering attempts made to important Windows 7 system files. Be aware that some counterfeit copies of Windows include malware.
When this update is installed, it performs a validation process for the copy of Windows that is running on your computer. However, this validation process does not affect the functionality of Windows. The update process exits silently if it detects no validation errors, activation exploits, or tampered files.
Tampered Files
If the update discovers a tampered file, it tries to restore the file. This restore may require a restart. If this update cannot restore the tampered files, it will direct you more information on the Internet.
Validation Errors or Activation Exploits
Validation errors and activation exploits try to bypass the Windows activation process and are sometimes included with counterfeit copies of Windows. If a validation error or activation exploit is detected, you will be directed to more information on the Internet for resolution of the activation exploit or the validation error. When validation errors or activation exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer. If you decide not to resolve the validation error or the activation exploit at that time, you will be periodically notified that the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer is not genuine. Additionally, Windows will provide a link to more information online for resolution.
Sn0wbreeze 3.1.3 - Upgrade To iPhone OS 3.1.3 Keeping Older Bootrom For Jailbreak And Unlock
Sn0wBreeze 3.1.3 update is now available for download allowing users to create custom 3.1.3 IPSW restore files while retaining the older baseband so they can still enjoy existing blacksn0w or ultrasn0w iPhone unlocks.
To get iPhone OS 3.1.3 with jailbreak and carrier-unlock all you need to do it to create a custom IPSW file using Sn0wBreeze 3.1.3 (download link after the jump) and restore you iPhone with this newly created IPSW file having older baseband.
You can download the latest Sn0wBreeze 3.1.3 from here (link updated to newest sn0wbreeze-V1.5.1.zip) and follow the older Sn0wBreeze usage guide to create your customized iPhone restore file.
Jailbreak iPhone OS 3.1.3 With redsn0w 0.9.4
There is nothing exciting or worth upgrading in iPhone OS Update 3.1.3 but if you still want to upgrade and keep the jailbreak it is now very much possible thanks to updated redsn0w 0.9.4 utility by iPhone Dev Team, do keep in mind if you are using an unlocked iPhone do not upgrade as no unlock is yet released for iPhone OS 3.1.3.
redsn0w 0.9.4 Direct Download Links :
* Windows
* Mac
Download Apple iPhone OS 3.1.3
After pushing the iTunes 9.0.3 update yesterday Apple today released the iPhone OS 3.1.3 for iPhone and iPod Touch users, the latest update to iPhone firmware offers basic bug-fixes and stability improvements as detailed after the jump.
iPhone OS 3.1.3 Software Update Features :
This update for iPhone and iPod touch contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:
• Improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS.
• Resolves issue where third-party apps would not launch in some instances.
• Fixes bug that may cause an app to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard.
Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone (all models)
• iPod touch (all models)
iPhone Firmware 3.1.3 Direct Download Links :
* Download iPhone 2G 3.1.3 OS
* Download iPhone 3G 3.1.3 OS
* Download iPhone 3GS 3.1.3 OS
If you have a jailbroken and/or unlocked iPhone/iPod Touch here is some advise from iPhone Dev Team regarding the update :
If you care about your jailbreak and unlock, don’t update your device - 3G and 3G(S) owners should pay particular attention to this warning.
* PwnageTool and redsn0w are not yet compatible with 3.1.3
* There is no estimated release time for compatible tools (please don’t bug us about this).
* Any information we have regarding this update will be posted here.
* You can also follow us on twitter - @iphone_dev
Update 1: [Don’t go near this if you have 3GS, newer ipt2G, or any ipt3G] Thanks to daring experimenters in the comments, we can confirm that yesterday’s redsn0w works for today’s 3.1.3 update for iPhone 2G. Just point it at the 3.1.2 iPhone 2G IPSW after doing update or restore to 3.1.3. So far we’ve only confirmed this for iPhone 2G. (Note that if this does work for iPhone 3G too, you can *only* use it if you don’t care about the unlock.)
Update 2: [Don’t go near this if you have 3GS, newer ipt2G, or any ipt3G] Can confirm that this method works for iPhone 3G and iPod touch 1G too. Don’t do it for iPhone 3G if you need an unlock though (really, don’t!). For older iPod touch 2G, we’ll need a small (1-character) change in redsn0w source.
Update 3: [Don’t go near this if you have 3GS, newer ipt2G, or any ipt3G] For those with older (non-MC) iPod touch 2G, we’ve compiled a special version of redsn0w meant just for you: Mac and Windows. You guys can get in on the “3.1.2 loophole” too using this special version. Don’t try this if you have a newer iPod Touch 2G or if you’re not completely sure what version you have. And of course don’t try it for 3GS or ipt3G either.
That about does it for the 3.1.2 redsn0w loophole. It can only be used by: those who don’t need the 3G/3GS unlock, and only owners of iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G (not unlockers!), iPod 1G, and iPod 2G older version. Everyone else please wait for official support in the tools.
Windows Activation Technologies Updated For Windows 7 - Would Detect 70 Known Piracy Cracks
Microsoft will be pushing a new Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) update before end of February for Windows 7 users with a set of anti-piracy measures which would disable more than 70 known hacks and cracks used by pirates to activate illegal copies of the software.
In an official blog post
by Joe Williams, General Manager, Genuine Windows the company announced the new update stating :
Activation exploits are sometimes called “hacks”, and attempt to bypass or compromise Windows’ activation technologies. This new update is further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to keeping customers and partners secure. The update will determine whether Windows 7 installed on a PC is genuine and will better protect customers’ PCs by making sure that the integrity of key licensing components remains intact.
So, what are the risks of activation exploits? Searching for, downloading, or installing activation exploits or counterfeit software on the Internet is risky, because sites that advertise these pirated products often contain malware, viruses, and Trojans, which are found bundled with or directly built into the activation exploit or counterfeit software
. A study by research firm IDC, The Risks of Obtaining and Using Pirated Software, shows that one in four Web sites offering counterfeit software attempted to install unwanted or malicious code upon downloading. And this rate is rising. Media Surveillance, an anti-piracy solutions company based in Germany, recently downloaded more than five hundred pirated copies of Windows 7 (and Windows activation exploits) and found that 32% contained malicious code. These are very disturbing figures – especially when considering that resellers may be using these downloads to claim that the PCs they sell include genuine Windows.
The update will be marked as “Important” and will get distributed first to the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions, one thing worth watching here is that what will happen to pirates who have completely removed WAT from there computers using one of the most popular Windows 7 activation hack RemoveWAT - what will get updated if the feature is completely removed from the OS ?
The answer to the question above could be speculated from the official announcement which details how this new update will work :
Once installed, the Update protects customers by identifying known activation exploits that may affect their PC experience. If any activation exploits are found, Windows will alert the customer and offer options for resolving the issue – in many cases, with just a few clicks. Machines running genuine Windows 7 software with no activation exploits will see nothing – the update runs quietly in the background protecting your system
. If Windows 7 is non-genuine, the notifications built into Windows 7 will inform the customer that Windows is not genuine by displaying informational dialog boxes with options for the customer to either get more information, or acquire genuine Windows. The desktop wallpaper will be switched to a plain desktop (all of the customer’s desktop icons, gadgets, or pinned applications stay in place). Periodic reminders and a persistent desktop watermark act as further alerts to the customer.
It is important to know that the customer will see no reduced functionality in their copy of Windows – a customer’s applications work as expected, and access to personal information is unchanged. The Update will run periodic validations (initially every 90 days). During validation, Windows will download the latest ‘signatures’ that are used to identify new activation exploits – much like an anti-virus service. When tampering, disabling, or missing licensing files are discovered, the WAT Update runs a check and repair weekly to ensure that the licensing files are properly repaired.
As this update looks like a separate download from WAT it will be possible to detect WAT removal from user computer and decide that the copy is indeed a pirated one.
This Printer Needs No Ink Or Toner, Makes Use Of Special Re-printable Paper
We all know how costly is printer ink but Japanese company PrePeat is all set to change that with their innovative ink/toner less rewritable printer-paper combination, the special re-printable paper is made of PET plastic and can be used 1000 times, for more see the video demo.
EA Sports To Offer FIFA Online As Free To Play, Register Now For Closed Beta
The Free2Play concept is gaining quite some popularity as two big game titles Quake Live and Need For Speed: World Online have already announced the online version of the games to be completely free-to-play and now EA Sports has started closed public beta of their upcoming Free-to-Play game FIFA Online.
FIFA Online Features :
Free-to-play football game for PC.
All the up-to-date teams and leagues you’ve come to love in the FIFA franchise.
New features not seen elsewhere in football videogames.
If you are interested in beta-testing and playing EA SPORTS FIFA Online before the official public release, simply visit this page and apply.
GeoHot Hacks Into Sony Playstation 3 Firmware
George Hotz a.k.a GeoHot - the same guy who gave the world first ever iPhone exploit has finally pwned the Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) by achieving read/write access to the entire memory system of the console including HyperVisor level access to the processor, which in plain english means that it's now a matter of time to reverse-engineer the internal software and get it hacked for whatever purpose without removing the NAND or using a modchip.
Sony PS3 enjoyed the label of being a secure console for more then three years, but not anymore - GeoHot is not going to post the exploit as of now but once the hole goes public many programmers will surely come-up with Homebrew applications for the platform including the ability to play ripped pirated Sony PS3 games on the console without buying them
Kaspersky Finally Patches Unlimited Beta License Key Registry Hack
We earlier exposed how pirates were enjoying unlimited non-blacklisted officially supplied Kaspersky Keys exploiting the beta licensing loophole in both Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security, surprisingly even after the expose the loophole existed in KAV 2010 and KIS 2010 updates but now after a long-time the company has finally patched it and it is not working anymore.