Bangkok--24 Mar--Hill & Knowlton
Update to Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) in Windows 7 released; Thai users encouraged to activate software and protect themselves from security exploits.
With software piracy an increasingly common way for hackers to spread malicious software and expose you to identity theft, system failure and data loss, Microsoft has improved the activation and validation process for Windows 7 with the release of a new update to ‘Windows Activation Technologies’ (WAT), the set of activation and validation components built into Windows 7.
Windows Activation Technologies works to protect Windows 7 users in the home and the office by identifying and alerting them to known activation exploits that may impact their PC experience. The update will run periodic validations every 90 days and download the latest digital ‘signatures’ to identify and protect against new security threats as they appear.
If any activation exploits are found, Windows will alert the user and offer simple options for resolving the issue in just a few clicks. If Windows is not activated, a notification will appear in the system tray and the desktop wallpaper will be reset to a plain black background. However, there will be no reduced functionality and users will still be able to access their data, the internet, applications and Windows security updates.
This WAT update is voluntary and can be uninstalled at any time, although Microsoft strongly recommends that all customers configure their computer to download and install updates automatically. Users who choose not to install the WAT update may unknowingly be running a pirated version of Windows 7 that also contains malware, potentially exposing them to identity theft or loss of personal or business data.
“Even before the launch of Windows 7, we saw pirated versions loaded with malware and viruses on file-sharing sites and for sale at unlicensed software vendors in Thailand,” said Patama Chantaruck, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “Understandably customers want to know that the software they’ve paid for is genuine and malware-free. As such, Microsoft is constantly developing its anti-piracy technologies to counter the increasingly sophisticated threats and to ensure that all our customers get the most out of their Windows 7 experience.”
“With Windows Activation Technologies, we have evolved our security approach beyond the traditional hunt for stolen product keys and this next generation of anti-piracy technology is designed to get smarter over time. Currently it can detect more than 70 known activation exploits and will perform automatic validations every 90 days to protect users from new threats as soon as they appear online,” continued Patama Chantaruck.
This latest update to WAT is designed to run on all editions of Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate) and is now being made available to Windows 7 users globally through Windows Update. Users may also run a validation check by visiting www.microsoft.com/genuine and customers in Thailand who find that their copy of Windows 7 is not genuine can now purchase genuine editions of Windows 7 online at www.microsoft.com/thailand/eshop.
For enterprise customers, the WAT update is not directly offered through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), but IT administrators will be able to easily import this update into WSUS through the Microsoft Update catalog and install it on managed computers.
Microsoft is fully committed to protecting customers’ privacy and any information sent during a check for activation exploits will not include any personally identifiable information.
Genuine Windows users can also download Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft’s free, award-winning anti-malware solution that provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Guaranteed by independent testers of anti-virus software AV-Comparatives.org, the Microsoft Security Essentials is built on the same award-winning core security technology found in the company’s security solutions for businesses. It requires no registration and is available for downloading directly from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials, where Thai users can select Thai-language from the ‘Download Now’ menu.
Additional resources to help customers determine whether or not they have genuine Microsoft software are available at www.microsoft.com/howtotell.
About MicrosoftFounded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand.
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For further information, please contact:
Suphada Chaiwong
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
Tel: 0-2627 3501 ext 209
Fax. 0-2627 3510
Email:
[email protected]