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Filed under: OS Updates, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft

Vista brute force hack update: it might work, if you let it run for a year

Vista activationVista ActivationThe author of the program that allegedly generates activation keys for Windows Vista (if you let it run long enough) is back. And now he says the key generator "is a joke, I never intended for it to work."

Further, he never actually got the program to work himself, and he says anyone who claims they have is either mistaken or lying.

Here's the thing. In theory, the brute force kegyen could work. It basically generates random combinations of 25 characters. Sooner or later, it's bound to come up with a valid product key. But while initial reports suggested that you could get a few keys by running the program for a few hours, there's little evidence that anyone has succeeded yet.

Of course, you can still extend your Windows Vista trial period from 30 to 120 days and run Vista for 4 months before purchasing an activation key.

[via Slashdot]

Filed under: OS Updates, Security, Windows, Microsoft

Windows Vista product activation cracked

Vista ActivationWell that didn't take long. Just over a month after the wide release of Windows Vista, a hacker over at KezNews has figured out a way to generate valid product activation keys.

This is a brute force hack, meaning it basically keeps throwing random keys at Vista until one seems to work. This can take hours. And then you have to manually check the key.

The KezNews main page includes a disclaimer suggesting that the program was an experiment, and that users should go out and buy a copy of Vista if they really want one. That said, it's just a matter of time before product keys start floating around the dark corners of the internet.

If you want to test out Vista for longer than the 30-day trial period and don't want to break the law, you can always extend your trial period by up to 90 days.

[via The Inquirer]

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