Microsoft fixes Windows Genuine Advantage software after spyware allegations
June 11th, 2006 Leave a comment Visited 49 times, 2 so far today
Microsoft fixes Windows Genuine Advantage software after spyware allegations
Software giants Microsoft confirmed that they have fixed their Windows Genuine Advantage application to dial home in 14-day intervals instead of after every system boot to get the latest updates from the company’s servers.
This upsetting flaw was discovered by Lauren Weinstein, cofounder of People for Internet Responsibility who posted the information on his blog. He discovered that this tool would contact the company servers after every reboot and compared the behavior to spyware applications.
This application has been released by the company as part of their Genuine Software Initiative. Microsoft believes that this application would help making the customers aware that they are using pirated software. It randomly displays alerts on the user’s desktop informing him that the copy of Windows OS on the system is a pirated one.
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June 12th, 2006 at 09:28 pm
A few years ago I had a computer custom built for me. Windows 98 was part of the bundle. As soon as XP appeared I bought it – the Home Edition – and it served me well. The tech who built my system installed it for me – I was too chicken. About a year ago I had a major crash – apparently caused by Spyware. The tech who built my puter had it for about a week and managed to recover all my data. Without consulting me, he also returned it to me with XP Professional installed instead of my version of XP Home. I thought nothing of it till I discovered that some recent downloads couldn’t be obtained without giving my version number.
My Home Version number – which I assumed assured my purchase – no longer worked because I was operating from the Professional version. Since it did not affect security updates – of which there are many – I shrugged it off.
Now – suddenly – I find a program has been installed on my computer by Microsoft which ‘reminds’ me – intrusively – that I am operating an ‘illegal’ version. No – I am not. I may be the only person in the world in this particular circumstance – and of course the REAL illegals have no grounds for moral outrage about this privacy intrusion.
I’m working out my own solution. We just had an electrical outlet installed in a guestroom closet and have ordered a smallish desk that will fit there. My illegal PC – now nicknamed ‘Sneaky’ – will be ‘in the closet’, disconnected from the internet – basically a word processor. In its place in my studio will be a new APPLE computer – with all its bells and whistles. Another plus – no security updates, no spyware & very few viruses. Cost more than re-purchasing XP? Sure – but I should have done this long ago – thank you Microsoft for giving me that push I needed.
June 13th, 2006 at 02:40 am
So because an incompetent technician “restored” your system improperly you don’t think the copy of windows you are running is illegal? You paid for home and are running professional? I mean I loath Microsoft as much as anyone, but come on dude. You buy stolen jewelry out of the back of a car, you can’t claim that its not stolen because you didn’t personally steal it.
June 13th, 2006 at 02:44 am
You know, you didn’t have to buy a new computer. You could have just installed Ubuntu Linux…
August 13th, 2006 at 08:10 am
I had a very similar experience as Sallie Bailey did. My compputer crashed. I took it to a storefront tech outfit. Itwas running 98 but they installed XP. Now I keep getting these message that my OS is not valid. Microsoft is being sued because of invasion of privacy? Well they should be because they have spied on us and no one knew it was going to happen. Why, we kept getting those nice little “updates?” One of those babies was this genuine advantage nonsense. Maybe I will try Linux. Less garbage to deal with.
August 24th, 2006 at 06:46 am
good..