Windows 8 apps hackable and crackable, just like iOS and Android

//ichael Patric|{

Earlier in the week a blog post by Nokia engineer (and former Microsoft employee) Justin Angel highlighted a number of issues with applications from the Windows Store that enabled, among other things, the unauthorized conversion of trial apps into full versions, the modification of the prices of in-app purchases, and removal of embedded advertisements. Soon after publishing his post, Angel’s blog was knocked offline in a flood of traffic; at the time of writing it remains unavailable, returning 503 error messages instead of content.

The integrity of Windows Store applications is an important issue. It forms part of the value proposition to developers, of the store itself; not only does the store provide easy, reliable billing, distribution, and updating, it also provides at least some degree of protection against piracy and other kinds of exploitation. If Windows 8 can’t provide this then competing platforms (such as iOS) and competing delivery mechanisms (such as the Web) become more appealing.

Angel’s examination of the store focused on games. Games are arguably the most popular category in app stores, and they provide some of the best demonstrations of the different business models that developers are using: ad-supported, free trials, and extensive use of in-app purchasing.