Malware Infected Versions of Windows 7 RC Make Rounds

Microsoft released the Windows 7 Release Candidate last Tuesday on the Microsoft Developers' Network and TechNet web sites. Already Windows 7 RC is available on bit torrent sites being downloaded by those who don't have access to either of the Microsoft web sites.

On Thursday, Microsoft reported that some of the illegally-distributed copies are infected with malware (MALicious softWARE) designed to infect computers. Risks faced by users associated with using Malware infected software include potential identity theft, system failures and unrecoverable data loss if their systems become infected.

Windows protects itself from piracy by detecting when attempts have been made to circumvent or tamper with its built-in product activation technology. When the software is determined not to be “genuine,” the computer starts to display on-screen notifications that it is not, and then shows a “black screen of death."

The Windows 7 RC will be available for legitimate download from the Microsoft sites until the end of July.

Via SC Magazine

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