35 days before Windows XP was officially released, a pirated key, called the “devils0wn”, began circulating around the web which allowed users to run a pirated copy of the operating system. Since then, the key has been used thousands of times and is now a part of Windows XP history. Trying to follow in devils0wn’s footsteps, a new crack for Windows Vista is rumored to have become available. Called “Windows Vista All Versions Activation 21.11.06”, the key reportedly unlocks any version of Vista. Sounds great for pirates, right? Maybe it is, depending where you stand on software piracy.

Those who download “Windows Vista All Versions Activation 21.11.06” will end up with anything but a cracked version of Vista. The file is neither a crack nor key generator, but it is a trojan installer that installs the malware known as “Trojan-PSW.Win32.LdPinch.aze.” According to APC Magazine, most antivirus scanners will recognize the trojan, but NOD32 and Norton’s latest signatures do not.

While most of us dread the thought of a new piece of malware in the wild, it’s hard not to like the motive behind this trojan. Nevertheless, any propagation of malware is a bad thing so I’m happy to hear that most scanners can stop this one.

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News source: Ars Technia