Pirated online version of Windows 7 could be infected by malware

19:45 7th January 2009

A pirated version of Windows 7, which was leaked onto the internet over new year has been accessed and downloaded by a number of peer-to-peer networks.

Windows 7 Ultimate Build 7000 was copied and made available to online users and now security bodies are warning those who may chance upon the software or already have it to refrain from using it.

This is because there is an increased likelihood that software downloaded from the internet is infected with malware.

Rob Rachwald, director of product marketing at security vendor Fortify, commented: "The whole idea is to exploit something popular, whether it's getting users to download porn or popular software. It's just a clever way to spread malware."

In 2007, Microsoft expressed its intention to release Windows 7 within three years although the company would not be drawn on a specific date, stating that the end product would be dependant on quality.