Microsoft Decries Vista PatchGuard Hack
Microsoft officials say they are unhappy that security software maker Authentium has decided to bypass the controversial PatchGuard kernel protection feature in its next-generation Vista operating system, and said that the tactic could lead to eventual problems for users of the company's software.
windows -
comments -
27.10.2006 More information on the Vista SP1 activation hack
My post on the Vista SP1 activation hack has generated a lot of feedback (especially in the form of questions) from both individuals and other media outlets.
windows -
comments -
12.2.2008 Microsoft could be teaching police to hack Windows Vista
Microsoft may begin training the police in ways to break the encryption built into its forthcoming client PC operating system Vista.
The news was revealed in a parliamentary committee session, where Professor Ross Anderson of Cambridge University warned MPs that if such a move was being considered then the police should start learning sooner rather than later.
windows -
comments -
19.2.2006 Hack claims Vista to ship on December 5th
Veteran Zdnet hack and exiled Evertonian Colin Barker reports that Microsoft has lined up a surprise 5 December "general release date" for the consumer version of Windows Vista.
windows -
comments -
14.10.2006 Researcher Reveals 2-Step Vista UAC Hack
A Web application developer has uncovered a two-step process (PDF) for exploiting Windows Vista's User Account Control, essentially by having a Trojan piggyback on what could be a legitimate download.
windows -
comments -
17.5.2007 Microsoft Exec Rages Against Vista Upgrade Hack
Sarcasm can be a powerful tool, and a Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) executive recently wielded it against industry sources who claim that a loophole exists in one of the software giant's licensing policies.
windows -
comments -
15.4.2008 New Vista OEM Activation Hack - Vista Boot by gkend
Thanks to Steve Jobs for this article on his blog and to our forum members to clecha, Nighthief and fitterphil120 for most of the findings. One again the “Chinese” come up with a new method to trick out the Vista Activation. We have seen Softmode and VistaLoader, however “ Vista Boot by gkend” does promise even more.
download -
comments -
21.5.2007 Hack Available to Download the Official Vista SP1 Straight from Microsoft
That's right! There is a hack available that will permit you to access, download and install the official release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 straight from Microsoft.
windows -
comments -
17.10.2007 One More Reason to Upgrade to Vista: 6-Minute XP Hack Is Frightening!
Six minutes... that is all it took to hack Windows XP, and to completely take over the operating system. Nick McGrath, Director of Platform Strategy at Microsoft U.K., witnessing the XP hack first hand, described the effortless attack and compromising of the platform as "enlightening and frightening.
windows -
comments -
13.11.2007 Anti-Hack Update For Windows Vista Rev from Microsoft
The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common Windows Vista anti-activation exploits - the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack.
windows -
comments -
12.5.2008 Microsoft Serves the Official Version of the Hack Used to Access Windows Vista SP1
Do you remember a time when Windows Vista SP1 was not available as a public download? In the pre-Release Candidate Stages of Vista SP1, Microsoft restricted the access to the service pack only to selected testers.
windows -
comments -
12.12.2007 Vista SP1 Beta Build 6001.17036 v.652 Kills Hack to Download the Service Pack
Microsoft is making headway toward the final release of the first service pack for Windows Vista. A new beta build of the first refresh for the operating system is now live following the initial beta release.
windows -
comments -
12.11.2007 Hack Windows Xp All in One
Include:
CIA Commander
WPa kill
Activate
Enable Updates
Windows genuine validation bypass
download -
comments -
31.1.2006 Short TimerStop.sys hack
Huskieguy731 report this very short TimerStop.sys hack in
our forum.
windows -
comments -
3.2.2007 Microsoft WGA Update Anti-hack
Since the Windows Genuine Advantage debut as a pilot on 9/2004 Microsoft is slowly making the program more annoying and intrusive.
In the beginning the WGA was an opt-in feature, and then slowly it became mandatory. Users who choose not to validate their copy of Windows can not download updates from Windows update (they still can download critical security updates via automatic update feature in Windows).
windows -
comments -
4.5.2006 Zune Hack: Trade Any File, Quick
Someone clever figured out a way to transfer any type of file onto the Microsoft Zune portable media player, after which the files can be wirelessly traded to other Zune users.
microsoft -
comments -
25.11.2006 Hack into a Windows PC - no password needed
A security consultant based in New Zealand has released a tool that can unlock Windows computers in seconds without the need for a password.
windows -
comments -
9.3.2008 Hack to Force Enable Aero in Windows 7
Windows 7 has a nice little Windows Aero troubleshooting tool to find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects, and then enable and turn on Aero support (and also Aero Peek) in Windows 7.
windows -
comments -
12.1.2009 Microsoft "Hack Day" is creative play at work
A group of 75 Microsoft developers set out Thursday to brainstorm at an internal event called "Hack Day."
microsoft -
comments -
8.4.2006 Researchers hack wired keyboards, hijack keystrokes
A team of Swiss researchers say there are several ways to recover keystrokes from wired keyboards by simply measuring the electromagnetic radiations emitted when keys are pressed.
common -
comments -
20.10.2008 Hack Available to Download Windows XP SP3 RC from Microsoft
That's right! Now you can get your hands on the first Release Candidate for Windows XP Service Pack 3! And all it will take is the implementation of a simple registry hack designed to allow Windows XP users to access, download and install Service Pack 3 Release Candidate straight from Microsoft.
windows -
comments -
22.11.2007 Hack Available for Windows 7 Pre-Beta Build 6801 Locked Features
Although Microsoft showcased a much more feature-complete variant of Windows 7 pre-Beta Build 6801 Milestone 3 at the professional Developers Conference 2008 and Windows hardware Engineering Conference 2008 in Los Angeles the past couple of weeks, the bits that made it out of Redmond contained a variety of locked features across the operating system.
windows -
comments -
10.11.2008 Hack to Activate and Switch Window in Windows 7 By Mouse Over Hover Without Click
When there are many windows open on desktop of Windows 7, normally users will click on another window in order activate the window into front or foreground and switch to the task or window.
windows -
comments -
19.5.2009 Hack to Turn Off and Disable Windows 7 CD or DVD Writer Burning and Auto Tray Ejection Feature
Windows 7 inherits the capability to burn or write to CD and DVD burner or writer, with additional support to directly burn ISO and IMG disc images with Windows 7 Explorer.
windows -
comments -
18.8.2009 Windows 7 Hack Brings Build 6801 Closer to Build 6956
Microsoft ensured that the Windows 7 development milestone delivered at the Professional Developers Conference 2008 and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2008 delivered less than what it showcased at the two events.
windows -
comments -
10.12.2008 Hack windows home edition cd into professional edition
Easy way how to spare some money. Raymond found this hack from Technipages and think it's pretty cool. It enables the features found in Windows XP Professional on your Windows XP Home Edition installation with this hack. It will allow you to turn your Windows XP Home CD into a Windows XP Professional CD.
windows -
comments -
27.12.2006 How to Install Vista Language Packs MUI on all versions of Vista + video tutorial
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, and Vista Business versions of the Microsoft licensing restrictions can only preserve a language!
download -
comments -
23.9.2008 The Vista Built-in Super Administrator Account Has Survived in Vista SP1
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is designed to evolve the RTM version of the latest Windows client from Microsoft, made available in November 2006 to business customers, and in January 2007 to the general consumers.
windows -
comments -
15.2.2008 Vista SP1 Is Out, XP SP3 Old News, the Pink Edition of Vista Is In
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is now nothing more than water under the bridge, now that the service pack was released to manufacturing on February 4, 2008, shipping to general users on March 18.
windows -
comments -
27.3.2008 Tell Hasta la Vista to XP - Time to Upgrade to Vista SP1
Like it or not, this is the right time not only to upgrade to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 but also to tell hasta la vista to Windows XP.
windows -
comments -
30.6.2008One year after Mac hack contest, Linux and Vista may be tested
One year after launching a controversial Macintosh hacking contest, the promoters of the
CanSecWest security research conference are thinking about giving hackers another shot at cracking the Mac. Only this time,
they're looking to broaden the field.
Last year, show organizers invited attendees to hack into a Macintosh laptop with the
successful hacker winning the computer and a cash prize. But this year, they're talking about giving attendees three targets to choose from. "We're
thinking of having a contest where we have Vista and OS X and Linux ... and see which one goes first," said Dragos Ruiu, the principal organizer of
CanSecWest.
winbeta.org -
06.02.2008The Windows Vista Activation Forum
Do you have questions or issues regarding Windows Vista Activation? Then the
Windows Vista Activation forum is the thing
for you. The forum offers a new dedicated resource to assist in answering both technical and licensing questions regarding MAK, VAMT, KMS, planning,
deployment, operations and other aspects of Volume Licensing Activation v 2.0 in Windows Vista.
winbeta.org -
23.09.2008Palm Pre hacked and ported to Verizon
When a product exists but is locked down in functionality a hacker does not see it as an obstacle but as a challenge. Case in point is that a
PreCentral forum member "Cleanser" has managed to take the Palm Pre and port it over to the Verizon network. The Pre has the potential to work
natively on Verizon but due to software locks and exclusivity agreements the Pre is not currently sold for anyone other than Sprint. All is not
perfect for the hack as "Cleanser" points out that currently only voice and SMS services are working but unfortunately data may take more time to
hack.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
10.07.2009Microsoft Silently Rolls Out Anti-Hack Update For Vista
The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common
Windows Vista anti-activation exploits - the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. But those who think they can escape by not
updating to Service Pack 1 would be sadly mistaken.
That's because Microsoft has surreptitiously released an anti-hack detection update
via Windows Update. Those who chose to have Windows Vista install updates automatically would have this update installed and running by now. If you
chose to manually select updates to be installed, you should find this update listed.
neowin.net -
12.05.2008Top Windows Vista Tweaks You Can Find
Love it or hate it, Windows Vista is here to stay as the default operating system for those buying PC laptops on the market today. We all know Vista
requires more hardware power, such as 2GB of RAM being almost a necessity to get decent performance, but are there Vista OS and software tweaks you
can do to improve performance without buying better hardware? There certainly are, and our forum members are working together to collect them all.
A major Thanks goes to
forum member flamenko
for starting the "
Top Vista Tweaks You Can Find". This
article is a mere summary of what Flamenko and other forum members have come up with so far as recommendations for greatly improving your Windows
Vista Experience, but keep checking the thread in the future as the
NotebookReview.com
community is working to make it grow.
winbeta.org -
14.09.2007Those who can't hack (much), write
Since there have been computer intrusions, it seems, there have been crackers (that is, black-hat "hackers") wanting to write books detailing
What They Did. But often, the better the hack, the less the urge to write a book about it...
betanews.com -
14.10.2008TiVo Owners Uncover Storage Hack
Owners of Series3
high-definition TiVos will
soon be able to expand the
amount of programming they can
store on the digital video
recorder using an external
Serial ATA hard drive. While
the SATA ports have been on
the TiVo since the beginning,
a hack to activate them only
surfaced over the weekend...
betanews.com -
08.05.2007Engineer Demonstrates iPhone Hack After Acknowledging Apple's Patch
Though security consultant
Charlie Miller went through
with a scheduled demonstration
late yesterday afternoon of
how he and his colleagues
discovered how to hack the
Apple iPhone to obtain
personally identifiable
information from it, he and
his company's Web site both
acknowledged that Apple had
patched the vulnerability...
betanews.com -
03.08.2007Hack into a Windows PC; with Winlockpwn.
A security consultant, Adam Boileau, based in New Zealand has released a tool that can unlock Windows computers in seconds, via a Firewire port,
without the need for a password.
With this tool, called Winlockpwn, one could "unlock locked Windows machines or login without a password
... merely by plugging in your Firewire cable and running a command".
The hack, which affects Windows XP computers but has not yet been
tested with Windows Vista, was first demonstrated, at a security conference in Sydney in 2006, but Microsoft has yet to develop a fix. But now that a
couple of years have passed and the issue has not resolved, Boileau, decided to release the tool on his website.
neowin.net -
08.03.2008What does the Sarah Palin e-mail hack say about Yahoo?
There's an underlying issue in the debate raging about the reported hack into the Yahoo e-mail account of VP nominee Sarah Palin, and it actually has
very little to do with the governor: Is there an e-mail vulnerability we should know about?..
betanews.com -
18.09.2008SP1 Unsuccessful in Preventing Vista Hacks
It seems that Microsoft has been unsuccessful with SP1 in preventing hackers from
turning a pirated, non-genuine copy of Vista into genuine copies that pass activation. The article initially looked at two of
the most popular hacks (OEM BIOS hack and the grace timer hack) but after a little digging ZDNet were able to transform a non-genuine install into a
genuine one. 'After a few minutes of searching the darker corners of the Internet and a few seconds in the Command Prompt I was able to fool Windows
into thinking that it was genuine.'
winbeta.org -
11.02.2008The Vista license śloopholeť that isnt
Ed Bott: Software licensing is often hard to understand. But that’s no excuse for so-called Windows experts to deliberately publish sensational
stories that turn the facts upside-down.
I’m talking about the fuss that Scott Dunn and Brian Livingston kicked up in
yesterday’s version of the
Windows Secrets
newsletter, in which Dunn breathlessly proclaimed the existence of an “upgrade hack” in Windows Vista that “allows end users to
purchase the ‘upgrade edition’ and install it on any PC with no need to purchase the more expensive ‘full edition.’”
winbeta.org -
04.04.2008'Contractor error' suspected in $12,000 FEMA phone hack
FEMA is now investigating a hack attack against its voice mail system that racked up $12,000 in international calls, with preliminary evidence
indicating that "contractor error" was probably involved...
betanews.com -
22.08.2008Another Vista Activation Crack Appears
Buzz about a Windows Vista
zero-day vulnerability is
troubling enough (although
probably overblown). Now,
there appears to be a second
product activation hack, this
one designed to fool the
activation timer into not
counting down. The activation
hack is quite different from
the first one, which involved
setting up a Key Management
Service server. Microsoft also
released an update blocking
hybrid testing/final Vista
"Monster" code that could
bypass product activation.
"Recently it has been
reported that activation of
Microsoft's Windows Vista
operating system has been
compromised," a Microsoft
spokesperson said in a
statement in response to a
Microsoft Watch inquiry.
"Microsoft is investigating
this reported activation
breach; however, there is no
concrete evidence that this
breach has been automated to
the point that it is widely
deployable." The not "widely
deployable" statement, while
likely true, isn't denial of
an actual activation breach.
I've read
instructions, which I won't
link to, and comments from
people successfully trying the
so-called Time Stopper hack; I
haven't tested it and
wouldn't because of possible
security breach when applying
a downloaded crack as part of
the process. As the Microsoft
spokesperson acknowledged,
there are reports about the
crack, which requires setting
a computer's BIOS clock to
2099. The hack does work on
32-bit Windows Vista
installations but not
necessarily 64-bit versions.
The process requires some
other Windows changes and
eventual clock reset from
within Vista leading to a
perpetual state of 30 days to
activation.
neowin.net -
28.12.2006Hackers figure out how to resurrect year old Vista news
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: It seems that hackers have figured out how to resurrect news about a Vista activation hack that’s over a year old.
Yesterday I received several emails from readers pointing to a post on
Slashdot. The site was running a piece which pointed to a an article on
APC Magazine from the 4th March 2007 which was reprting on an
activation hack released by the Pantheon group. I didn’t think anything of it, after all, accidents happen...
winbeta.org -
04.03.2008Microsoft Answers Forum Launched.
Microsoft has launched Microsoft Answers. Till now the only avenue for the average Vista user for support from Microsoft, was to go over to Technet
or MSDN Forums for help. All that will now change with the launch of the Microsoft Answers forum! Microsoft Answers will be a no nonsense, non
technical forum for real users to get real answers. The site is intended to dramatically improve the self-help experience for Home PC users by
enabling the same kind of rich online communities – for support, learning, sharing and engaging with Microsoft – that have long been
available for Developers and IT Pros, via MSDN & TechNet.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
16.12.2008Microsoft slams the door on Vista pirates
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: With the launch of SP1 Microsoft promised to put an end to two popular hacks used by pirates to allow a non-genuine install of
Windows Vista to function in the same way as a genuine install. Testing that Ive carried out in the lab today suggests that Microsoft has been true to
its word.
The two most common hacks used were the OEM BIOS hack and the grace timer hack (of which there were two flavors which
were widespread).
Testing both these methods of circumventing Windows activation and Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) has shown me
that SP1 effectively ignores both these hacks. Systems that previously were shown to be genuine prior to the installation of SP1 then require
activation - and if the system isnt activated it is marked at non-genuine and enters the nag state.
winbeta.org -
11.02.2008How to Hack Windows Vista
Roger Halbheer, Chief Security Advisor of Microsoft EMEA: No, no. For sure. I am not going to give you advise how to hack “ but look at this video:
http://www.offensive-security.com/movies/vistahack/vistahack.html.
I am always amazed about these kind of videos, which still surprise people. If look years back, we published the
10 Immutable Laws of Security,
which contains
Law #3: If a bad guy has unrestricted physical
access to your computer, it's not your computer anymore. The hack shown above needs physical access¦.
But if you want to
protect Windows Vista from these kind of physical attacks, why do you not just switch on
Bitlocker (and here on
Technet)? If you switch it on, these problems are gone and this attack
would fail “ and it is part of the OS, no additional fees, nothing¦
winbeta.org -
27.05.2008Microsoft Decries Vista PatchGuard Hack
Microsoft officials say they
are unhappy that security
software maker Authentium has
decided to bypass the
controversial PatchGuard
kernel protection feature in
its next-generation Vista
operating system, and said
that the tactic could lead to
eventual problems for users of
the company's software.
Responding to
Authentium's move to
circumvent PatchGuard in its
products, company officials
said that the decision to hack
the feature could prove unwise
for the security vendor as
Microsoft will work to close
off any flaws that allow
unauthorized kernel
interaction, making
technologies dependent on such
access obsolete.
As
a result, users of
applications that circumvent
PatchGuard could find
themselves unprotected from
attack, or dealing with other
problems driven by a lack of
authorized integration between
Vista and those products.
neowin.net -
26.10.2006Yahoo! Hosts 'Hack Day' in India
A motley crew of some 100 Web developers gathered at Taj Residency here for Yahoo's Open Hack Day, which made its first appearance in Asia over the
weekend.
The one-day event on Friday attracted students, employees of software companies and even the unemployed, who toiled over
24 hours to create new applications based on Yahoo's application programming interfaces (APIs) and technology.
This was the
third in a series of
Open Hack Day held over the
past year, and the first in Asia. Yahoo kicked off its inaugural Hack Day in Sunnyvale, United States, in September 2006, and held the second one in
London, United Kingdom, in June this year.
winbeta.org -
12.10.2007
