Safe to buy Vista x64 on Ebay or Amazon affiliate vendors?

[sparky57]

I?d like to hear from you security experts out there if you think it?s safe to buy Vista x64 from an Ebay auction, or from an affiliate vendor on Amazon (the vendors that you see when you click ?used & new?... so the product isn't actually coming from Amazon itself).

Is there a risk that someone could have maliciously duplicated or somehow modified the Vista DVD to install viruses, spyware, open security holes, etc. on my computer without me knowing?

I?d only consider purchasing allegedly new, factory sealed copies, but I don?t think it would be too hard for someone to convincingly reseal a modified package.

Would you only recommend buying Vista from a large, well-known retailer?

Am I being overly paranoid here? Is this sort of maliciousness even possible? FYI I haven?t yet decided between a retail or OEM copy of Vista x64, if that makes any difference to your responses.

TIA!

 

[Oakenfold]

I?d like to hear from you security experts out there if you think it?s safe to buy Vista x64 from an Ebay auction, or from an affiliate vendor on Amazon (the vendors that you see when you click ?used & new?... so the product isn't actually coming from Amazon itself).

Is there a risk that someone could have maliciously duplicated or somehow modified the Vista DVD to install viruses, spyware, open security holes, etc. on my computer without me knowing?

I?d only consider purchasing allegedly new, factory sealed copies, but I don?t think it would be too hard for someone to convincingly reseal a modified package.

Would you only recommend buying Vista from a large, well-known retailer?

Am I being overly paranoid here? Is this sort of maliciousness even possible? FYI I haven?t yet decided between a retail or OEM copy of Vista x64, if that makes any difference to your responses.

You should always use a buyer beware mentality when purchasing off of Ebay or Amazon Zshops, or even here on the AT FS/FT forum. Do pirated copies of OS'es contain viruses, spyware, open security holes or other nasties? Pirates do not provide their services for the goodwill of others...

You are not being overly paranoid, if you choose to buy from Ebay, Amazon, or AT be aware of what you are buying. Look for someone with a positive established trade history. If you choose to buy from a retailer buy from someone that stands behind their products (just like ebay feedback), you want to buy from someone like newegg, clubit, zipzoomfly etc.

You are correct it would not be difficult to reseal a retail package. OEM is fine unless you want support from MS (I guess that's the difference, someone else chime in if it's inaccurate). If you built your computer you are fine with OEM.