AV sez, "This week, Microsoft started requiring users to verifiy their serial number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy XP or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called 'Genuine Advantage.' It was cracked within 24 hours."

SOFTWARE GIANT Microsoft has pulled the ability of pirates to get upgrades to its super soaraway software from its website.

We told you last year that it was gradually introducing this scheme.

Those attempting to download any upgrade from www.microsoft.com are first forced to download a bit of active X software which sniffs around and looks to see if you have used a registration number that you shouldn’t.