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Microsoft Takes Down P2P Swappers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3561430.stm
Microsoft takes down SP2 swappers
Legal warnings stopped the SP2 swapping
Microsoft has taken steps to stop its security update for Windows being shared on file-swapping networks.
The SP2 update for Windows XP was being used by file-swapping activists to show how such systems can help get large, important files to lots of users.
But legal warnings from Microsoft have forced the file-swappers to end their experiment and stop making the software available to downloaders.
Now the only place people are able to get the update is from Microsoft.
A group of file-swapping activists called Downhill Battle put the SP2 update using BitTorrent peer-to-peer software to help Microsoft get the software to as many people as possible.
The SP2 update is intended to make Windows XP a much tougher target for virus writers and malicious hackers.
Microsoft has announced intentions to get the update on to 100 million machines in the next two months.
SP2 CHANGES
Pop-up ads blocked
Revamped firewall on by default
Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Windows Messenger warn about attachments
Origins of downloaded files logged
Web graphics in e-mail no longer loaded by default
Some spyware blocked
Users regularly reminded about Windows Updates
Security Centre brings together information about anti-virus, updates and firewall
Protection against buffer over-runs
Windows Messenger Service turned off by default
When it started sharing SP2, Downhill Battle said: "This project shows how file-sharing technology gives people without budgets or huge server space the power to solve problems themselves, without waiting for the government or some corporation to do it for them."
The version being made available on the BitTorrent network was intended for corporations who have a lot of PCs to patch. A smaller consumer version of SP2 is due later this year.
When asked about Downhill Battle's action, a Microsoft spokesperson said: "The Microsoft Download Center site is the only authorized web source for downloading a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2.
"To report a website offering unlicensed copies of Windows XP SP2 for download, please send an e-mail to piracy@microsoft.com."
According to the Downhill Battle website, Microsoft has now gone one step further and issued take down notices to two of the web hosts helping the group distribute the file.
The Microsoft action was apparently taken under the controversial US Digital Millennium Copyright Act
In a statement Downhill Battle said it had ignored threats like this before but decided to act on this one "because we started this site primarily as a demonstration and to that end it's already been a huge success."
Even though Microsoft has issued the warnings the SP2 file is unlikely to disappear from file-swapping systems as BitTorrent's structure makes it harder for firms to police what is swapped.
The legal action means that those wanting SP2 must now go to the official Microsoft site.
As well as letting people download SP2, Microsoft is also planning to let people order a CD with it on or get it via cover mounted disks on consumer technology magazines.
User Comments
(These do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of this site)
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dubbsakk
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 6:23 PM
man how greedy is that
sp2 for xp was free
how shady is that they are not making money off it
so the sue them
thats straight criminal to sue someone over freeware like sp2 |
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telsien
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 6:24 PM
Microsoft doesn't care about efficiency, they just want it their way. |
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nitedreamerxp
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 6:30 PM
In the grand scheme of things microsoft is a true wimp, p2p could be a boon for them but it's big corporations like microsoft who lose out because of their close minded thinking of p2p.
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nitedreamerxp
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 6:32 PM
Too bad linux will soon take over lol.
It could happen couldn't it? |
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SlickPants
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 7:19 PM
Just like with any other prolific technology, Microsoft's going to reject this until it grows so big that it can't ignore it, and THEN its gonna try to buy out the competition and design its own corrupt p2p systems. |
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wet1
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 7:25 PM
"Too bad linux will soon take over"
Yes it could happen, one user at a time.
Me? I have always used DOS and Windoze products. However, I have had enough of the security holes. Micro$uck$ shows no intention of fixing those holes without something like the Paladium platform in place to lock down your computer and cripple it to what you, the users wants to do with the computer.
It was only after the Homeland Security came out with a warning that everyone should drop the IE browser for something else that Micro$uck$ even got serious about releasing the SP2 update. They have invested huge amounts of effort to eliminate all competiting software. To have a government branch come out and say it is not trustworthy was to defeat all their past efforts to lock up the market.
I have d/led linux. I intend to learn it. One machine in my house will become a learners box to do so with. If someone like me, can come to this decision and idea then so can others.
I understand what Micro$uck$ problem is with the issuing of their software from sites other than their own. It is that they can not control the quality or guarentee that what they have issued as the offical verison is not altered or if they update their version that the other sites follow suit to only offer the latest greatest in its proper form.
We have had a subject on this very topic where an open source has been obscounded and altered before releasing that altered version onto the net and into unsuspecting users computers.
However, that does not address the problem of bad programming that Micro$uck$ has put out. |
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mtekk
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 7:33 PM
the only problem is that linux can be a bitch to install, (i'm trying to get gentoo 2004.2 to work right now) a more user friendly installer is needed for most linux distros to get the public to use is because then it would be easy to install. most people can't use a command prompt, that's why linux isn't a popular os for the masses |
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nitedreamerxp
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 7:50 PM
Redhat is easy but you have to use the comand line in DOS and use a floppy to run rawrite then it'll let you install it Mandrake seems as easy as installing microsucks, suse is pretty easy too, my problem is trying to install packages such as tarballs.
RPMs are similar to a EXE. file so I got that mastered so I'm on a learning curve as well. glad to see you guys take up linux happy learning this is how we learned on microsucks lol |
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boltbot
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 8:19 PM
I luv mandrake 10
ftp://mirrors.usc.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrakelinux/official/iso/10.0/i586/
or on CDs
http://www.linuxcentral.com/catalog/index.php3?prod_code=L000-215&id=C1CB7rIUytWCz |
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NiceGuy2003
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 8:31 PM
Yeah, it is pretty stupid that they don't want SP2 to be shared. I mean, it's being released for free.
I guess the reasoning behind this, however, is that hacked versions of the service packs are available out there for those with pirated copies of XP who can't install the update because their CD key is blacklisted.
Not to mention that Microsoft doesn't want you to have the ability to back up their updates in case you have to reformat 'cause then you have to redownload all the updates. Of course there are ways to find the update on your system (provided the installer doesn't delete it), but the average user doesn't know how to do this, forcing them to use Windows Update. |
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SuitablyTwisted
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 8:59 PM
DL'ed the enterprise version from a mirror site, 266 MB. Also have a copy of the hash to verify authenticity. Put it on a CDR. Waiting for the fallout before I deal with it. Got SP2RC2 on one box, really don't want to have to install SP2 unless I'm forced to. I've always handled my own security, and I really hate the "mothering" aspect of MS software. Gonna learn Linux myself, can't take the Swiss cheese OS anymore. |
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compmore
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 9:45 PM
I'm not a big microsoft fan but I can see why they are doing this. first if anyone is able to alter the sp2 software in some way and then put it out on P2P then someone who downloads it can potentionally damage their OS. Microsoft wants to make sure their copies of sp2 are genuine and untampered.
now the thing for microsoft to do would be to partner with these sites to insure their downloads are the legitimate thing. |
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compmore
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 9:46 PM
I wouldn't want someone to sell a computer service from another location and say it is from my store unless I have some control over what is being offered |
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Werewolf037
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 11:43 PM
Well, there is a little thing called HASHES. Sp2 could have a hash distributed with it, an sfv file or such. Problem solved.
I think is that M$ donīt want ppl saying that their company supports piracy just because it is using P2P as a tool. If M$ uses P2P as a tool it would be a VALID PROOF that major legit companies could use it and may reverse some of the consensus on anti-p2p laws yet to be approved. Since they are so close(ideologically speaking) to the RIAA and the MPAA, they wouldnīt want that... would they?
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raoulduke1
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Date: August 17, 2004 @ 11:47 PM
"To report a website offering unlicensed copies of Windows XP SP2 for download, please send an e-mail to piracy@microsoft.com."
Yea right. Listen closely BIll: "Fuck you!" |
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ShadowMom
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 12:11 AM
Well said, and I second the motion, raoulduke1!! |
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LeeWare
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 12:28 AM
First of all, Microsoft has enough resources that they don't need some site distributing their wares to prove that P2P is useful. Secondly, if anyone here read the license agreement for anything they would know that SP2 and all other updates are offered to properly licensed software. Therefore, it is not a free product in that regard.
Finally, LeeWare Development has been making contributions to the P2P community for over three years--DMCA notices or other threats of legal actions. Why, because we use P2P to distribute non-infringing content. You know, the way P2P is SUPPOSED to be used. Right now our servers are pushing out 7.8Mbps data streams to 25 users.
People are really quick to complain, whine and moan about the challenges faced by P2P. I wonder how many would actually offer up some resources, i.e. bandwidth, disk space and CPU power to really helping the P2P community prove that it is more that just a place to pirate popular copyrighted content?
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Fluffyhere
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 12:43 AM
It very likely they like to keep Track on Users who Download the SP2 from Windows Update.
Thats likely one of the Reasons too.
ITs more likely they want to keep Tabs on Users. |
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Fluffyhere
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 12:48 AM
Anyone who doesn't like Windows Update, could try Emule.
~Fluffy~ was here, somewhere... |
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Fluffyhere
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 12:51 AM
There is a Way to Save the Windows Updates.
Before it Installs you Quickly Copy the Updat(s) from the WuTemp Folder to another one.
Once it Installs it will get Deleted. |
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battousai99
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 1:32 AM
There is a great alternative to Windows and Linux. Mac OS X. It is 10 years ahead of Windows XP, plus it is way more secure. You also get a wide variety of apps, unlike Linux. The only problems are that OS X doesn't support alot of games, and you have to buy a whole new machine to get OS X if you are using a PC. |
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Fluffyhere
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 2:07 AM
Uhm, don't forget the Lovely Bugs & Error Experience with M$ Operating System.
The following may Guide you to some Delightful Knowledge on this.
Lets see now, ah yes...here we are this is it---> http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=alt.microsoft.sucks
Don't miss this one Folks---> http://www.trunkerton.fsnet.co.uk/Index.htm
There's some Info here, wich is never , uhm rarely does go through the Mainstream Media.
Don't Miss it!!! |
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Emeraude
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 3:07 AM
I swear to God, I am so sick of Microsoft and the RIAA I could just puke! I have got to be on another planet! No wait, I want to go to another planet! This one sucks! If aliens ever do come, I am out of here, and I am taking all of my 70's music with me! Blues too, and some 80's rock, and disco! Let them son of a bitches sue me on planet "whatever"!
Somebody save us!!!! |
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goldenpi
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 4:22 AM
There was no reason for Microsoft to do that. They could even save saved a tiny amount from the reduced bandwidth costs, and action like this just reenforces Microsofts image as the ogre of the computing industry.
I think the complaint was a reflex action. Someone at microsoft saw a p2p network - obviously full of pirates - being used to download Microsofts copyrighted software. Rather than think about it, they followed procedure: take it down. |
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rocknrollwoman
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 1:21 PM
I have a legit xp pro on my machine. When there is a new update, I get a message telling me, urging me to get it done. So far, I have not heard anything about sp2 being ready for me to update. Not that I am in any hurry to put it on, in fact, just the opposite. |
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independentm...
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Date: August 18, 2004 @ 11:43 PM
Be VERY particular and weary about ANY MS or other vender's "updates" to software. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TRUST THEM ANYMORE (If you ever could.)
For goodness sake, do NOT install anything beyond media player 8. You can still get the "critical update" (since last I checked) from MS without having to upgrade to media player 9, in fact, you have to still do it separate from the "critical updates," ...but that is the only clue that you would be loading a DRM infected piece of sh*t that is at the MS update site. They don't even come right out and tell you in plain language about it. (Direct x controls) |
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dubbsakk
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Date: August 20, 2004 @ 5:24 AM
well in any case
fuck them
thas all i can sum up about microsoft
fucking mongrels |
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