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Unauthorized use
Since Volume Licensing bypasses activation, VLKs have been exploited by software
pirates since the advent of this service. The FCKGW key and the YFKBB key are
prominent examples of VLK exploitation. Although to some this may seem like an
easy way to circumvent Microsoft's product activation feature, each VLK is
uniquely linked to the company from which it was purchased. Therefore, should
the software be installed on more computers than it was licensed, Microsoft can
hold the company responsible, and blacklist the product key in extreme cases.
Volume license keys have also been used incorrectly on Windows XP installations
where the owner had a retail or OEM license to Windows XP but the person doing
the installation (such as a computer repair shop) did not want to bother with
activation, used disk cloning software, or did not have access to the original
license. Volume license keys on Windows Vista have been used (like the YFKBB
key) in fake KMS server activations over the infamous Chinese servers available.
Volume license keys that have been abused have been blocked by Microsoft,
starting with Windows XP Service Pack 1. Microsoft argues that it does not need
to cater to the needs of those who did not pay for their software. Microsoft
even developed a new key verification engine for Windows XP Service Pack 2 that
could detect illicit keys, even those that had never been used before. Several
security consultants have condemned the move by Microsoft, saying that leaving a
large install base unpatched from various security holes is irresponsible due to
the fact that this unpatched install base can be leveraged in large scale
Internet attacks, such as trojan horses used to send spam e-mail. Others have
come to Microsoft's defense, arguing that Microsoft should not have to provide
support for illegal users. After much public outcry, Microsoft elected to
disable the new key verification engine. Service Pack 2 only checks for the same
small list of commonly used keys as Service Pack 1. This method does not
completely prevent piracy, as users can generate new VLKs that will not be
detected as pirated. Users of existing installations of Windows XP can also
change their product key by following instructions from Microsoft.
A small number of keys have been completely banned by Microsoft and cannot be
used with any CD that has been slipstreamed with Service Pack 2. If an original
Windows XP CD (or a slipstreamed copy with Service Pack 1) is used to install
Windows XP, the key is accepted; however, the system will not allow any newer
updates (including Service Pack 2) to be installed. Microsoft has also released
the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program, which requires users of Windows XP
(and other recent operating systems) to activate their copy before downloading
updates and certain programs from Microsoft's website.
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