Re: Microsoft Misrepresenting WGA's Functionality?

"Robert Moir" <robspamtrap+msnews@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23s$ZTJnjGHA.4972@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
imhotep wrote:
"According to an article on Groklaw, Microsoft is misrepresenting
what the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool is to pressure people
into installing it. It comes with no uninstall, it fails to disclose
many pieces of information it provides to Microsoft, and it
misrepresents itself as a 'critical update' when it does not address
any security vulnerability, although it remains to be seen if it can
create one. ZDNet has a series of screenshots so that you can see
exactly how badly it misrepresents itself. Oh, and it also checks for
updates, so Microsoft can presumably execute arbitrary code on any
machine with it installed, merely by making that code part of a WGA
update."

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/11/2053214&from=rss

Well Slashdot are a waste of bits when it comes to rational discussion,
but it is interesting to note that if anyone else downloaded this software
onto your machine it would be called Spyware. Arguably there isn't much
daylight between this new aspect of WGA and what Sony did a while back.

--
Rob Moir, Microsoft MVP for Security
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ -
http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked:
"Have you checked (event viewer / syslog)".

Not to mention the observed behavior once it gets onto a server
that is not allowed to make contact with the mothership !!

--
Roger Abell
Microsoft MVP (Windows Server : Security)


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool KB892130
    ... The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool KB892130 is a fact of life. ... Microsoft MVP ... | I have read all of the posts about WGA in this forum, ... | How can I download the updates I WANT, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: WGA feedback to MS
    ... computers, near as I can tell from the reading. ... it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers. ... BETA is BETA. ... Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Transferring a retail Win2K to another PC - how to persuade WGA that its legit?
    ... WGA does not block updates for Windows 2000 users, but you may be having an ... issue installing the WGA controls on this new box please go to ... > Windows 2000 to a different PC *and* persuade WGA to allow ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: What does MS do to illegal pc`s ?
    ... WGA is installed automatically by the WinXP SP3 setup CD, ... and runs whenever you boot Windows. ... You can still use the automatic updates _BUT_ (and this is the important ... downloading or installing. ...
    (uk.comp.homebuilt)
  • Re: question on wuauclt
    ... called "Windows Genuine Advantage", or WGA for short. ... noticing that wuauclt is running even when I turn the feature off. ... 1and those are in the service pack files. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
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