Yes, downloading counterfeit products can be dangerous

[z3r010]

Earlier today the Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog posted some information about Microsoft Security Essentials helping to detect malware that turns out to be embedded in copies of non-genuine Windows Vista that people have downloaded.

I blogged back in May about a similar case where we saw Windows 7 RC builds that had malware embedded in them. I know people are excited about Windows 7 too but with only a couple of days to go until launch I’d encourage everyone to hold off downloading that ‘free copy’. Otherwise, you might end up getting more than you expected. 

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[Martin]

Back in August I download a copy of some build which right now I dont remember, it was infected with some trojans and backdoors, Lucky me ESET detected all those malware.

thanks for the info z3r010

 

[bobtran]

I agree....watch those downloads. Just wish Microsoft would get with it on the pre-purchase mailings. It's just killing me to see people all over getting theirs or seeing their bank accounts debited (Ordered my 1st day and still no debit...order just says processing like it has for 2 weeks now).

Upgraded my main pc with the Ultimate that I got at the event in Denver and then finally broke down and installed the RTM without a key on my laptop and will activate when the product/key arrives.

 

[Joshatdot]

md5-checker-0.9.11 ftw

 

[smarteyeball]

lol, my 7100 build (still installed and working) supposedly had the 'bad' hashes that were supposedly infected. I had no issues or infection.

I guess I was lucky :huh:

 

[poin2]

lol, my 7100 build (still installed and working) supposedly had the 'bad' hashes that were supposedly infected. I had no issues or infection.

I guess I was lucky :huh:

...We'll see if you still say that in 6 months when someone gets around to draining your bank accounts after silently running a keylogger or something comparable on you....

 

[macgyver2]

I got my RTM from technet and I still checked the hash, opened the iso and scanned that before I installed it. I can't wait to get my copy, going to do a clean install now if HP could finish up the Atheros wi-fi drivers I would be all set.

 

[smarteyeball]

...We'll see if you still say that in 6 months when someone gets around to draining your bank accounts after silently running a keylogger or something comparable on you....

Perhaps, perhaps not. I did not use the known to be infected setup.exe and the installation was scanned thoroughly by both myself and with AV software and all came up clean.

It's only there as a backup and is not used and only rarely booted into, let alone used. It's not even being used to test new/ beta drivers anymore, since the driver behaviour between 7100 and RTM is so vast.

However if by some slim chance I am affected, don't worry - I'll be singing a different tune