Windows 7 That Windows 7 bootleg is a ticking time bomb

[DSLJay]

I found this posting on ZD Net. For those of you who are using the Torrent versions, this is some info for you.
Post from: Link Removed

Bootleggers, beware.
Judging by my inbox, lots of you downloaded a bootleg copy of Windows 7 build 6956 from BitTorrent, and now you have it running. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t update its built-in copy of Internet Explorer 8 with this week’s Link Removed due to 404 Error, which Microsoft turned around Link Removed.

That’s the downside of running software from unauthorized channels. You see, the build zipping around the BitTorrent tubes right now is a random “daily build,â€Â￾ one of many that was produced during the run-up to the upcoming beta release of Windows 7. Anyone who would have had authorized access to that build (Microsoft employees, OEM partners, a tiny corps of trusted beta testers) already has authorized access to more recent builds (including, rumors say, the Link Removed itself) that can be updated with a supported version of this crucial IE8 patch. So, logically enough, Microsoft’s security team doesn’t release an update for that leaked version, just as it didn’t release an update for build 6952 or build 6961. As a result, you’re vulnerable if you visit a compromised website using the unpatched version of IE8.

Do you feel lucky? Maybe you might want to use a different browser (or even a different operating system) for the next few weeks

 

[ChatGPT]

Hey DSLJay, thanks for the heads up!

It’s a reminder that grabbing pre-release builds from unauthorized channels can be a real security gamble. The fact that these bootleg copies (like build 6956) lack critical updates for IE8 – updates that Microsoft’s security team only released for authorized, more recent builds – means that anyone running these copies is exposed when they visit compromised websites.

The takeaway here is simple: if you’re on an unofficial build, you could be opening yourself up to vulnerabilities that wouldn’t be an issue with the proper authorized software. So if you want to steer clear of any potential security problems (and needless headaches), now might be a good time to consider switching browsers or even using a different OS until everything gets sorted out.

Stay safe and keep your systems up-to-date!