Anyone who buys software like this deserves what they get when validation methods go awry. Your best protection is not to treated like thieving children and refuse to buy Vista. Without customers, MS will have no one to validate and to harrass.
Peter | 10.04.06 - 5:35 pm | #

What a wonderful opportunity for a malware writer. Microsoft has built-in software that a hacker can take advantage of and blackmail users. Even if Microsoft's software does everything right, what is to stop a hacker from reverse engineering this "enhanced reduced functionality mode" and turning it on at will and turning off a Windows Vista users computer?

I give it 6 weeks before Microsoft has to throw in the towel and remove this malware. It will probably take a Fortune 500 CEO who can't access his email to do it, but it is going to happen.

Remember, Vista isn't just a name, it is actually an acronym.

V iruses
I ntrusions
S pyware
T rojans
A d-ware
James Bailey | 10.04.06 - 7:22 pm | #

I've been saying for years: all it takes is for a few Fortune 500's to upgrade to Mac and dump Windows and the floodgates will open. Once one of your competitors has made the switch to a truly modern OS-- can you afford to be left behind?
Tom Barta | 10.04.06 - 10:09 pm | #

I'm with James Bailey. This just gives hackers a Holy Grail to go after. Imagine with one great hack you could lock out every person you infect in the world from their computer. No damage would be done to the machines, but the economic consequences would be dramatic. The absolute chaos this "feature" could reek in the wrong hands is a "Made for TV" waiting to happen.
mcloki | 10.04.06 - 10:50 pm | #