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| Thread ID: 69967 | 2006-06-18 02:32:00 | Microsoft aka Unseen Big Brother! | Term_X (560) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 464029 | 2006-06-18 02:32:00 | Heyas Team! Came across this link, some people have been investigating exactly what information Microsoft pulls from your pc after downloading the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool www.groklaw.net Makes interesting reading |
Term_X (560) | ||
| 464030 | 2006-06-18 03:06:00 | No doubt some 12 year old has already cracked the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool... Im getting really sick of all these new "security" measures that we have to download just in order to update our pc's. :rolleyes: |
Prescott (11) | ||
| 464031 | 2006-06-18 03:37:00 | No doubt some 12 year old has already cracked the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool... Im getting really sick of all these new "security" measures that we have to download just in order to update our pc's. :rolleyes: Dunno about 12 yr old but yes. And why are we updating them anyway? MS says this keeps your PC secure? I've never believed that and have never updated any of my own PCs and never see the need to. My 3rd party protection seems to be doing a perfect job without the need to install anything MS. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 464032 | 2006-06-18 06:11:00 | I made the unfortunate mistake yesterday of doing a clean install of XP as every 6 months or so things go down the tubes. I made a more unfortunate mistake of updating to SP2 from SP1 then found the nice little WGA junk had installed itself. (my own fault- I thought the copy of SP2 I had on disc was pre WGA) Thought "Hmm... don't much like that" so did system restore to beginning (when I only had SP1), nope still there, so I uninstalled SP2 and nope- still there. I have no problem if Msoft want to activate/validate then check I have a genuine copy of XP when I want an update off their site. I am most pissed off when it wants to 'check home' everyday without you knowing to make sure you're honest. I don't want to just disable the 'your computer may be running pirated software' messages... because I'm not. I want to STOP XP phoning home full stop without my consent! If anyone has any ideas how to do this point me in the right direction. There won't be any vista for me... Linuxland is beckoning :mad: |
Shortcircuit (1666) | ||
| 464033 | 2006-06-18 06:17:00 | I am most pissed off when it wants to 'check home' everyday without you knowing to make sure you're honest. I don't want to just disable the 'your computer may be running pirated software' messages... because I'm not. I want to STOP XP phoning home full stop without my consent! Use your firewall rules to prevent WGA gaining access to the internet. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 464034 | 2006-06-18 06:32:00 | Use your firewall rules to prevent WGA gaining access to the internet. I thought of that Jen, but couldn't find where the wgatray.exe resides. It didn't show up in search either (if it's there). Only the data.dat file in win 32. |
Shortcircuit (1666) | ||
| 464035 | 2006-06-18 06:42:00 | Don't think it is the tray application that you need to block, I got the idea it was another part of the WGA that does the calling home. Your firewall should of given you an alert that WGA wanted out when it first tries this. Terry posted this link in another thread which also has an article on WGA - Genuine Advantage is Microsoft spyware (www.windowssecrets.com) |
Jen (38) | ||
| 464036 | 2006-06-18 07:07:00 | No, it hasn't told me that it's trying to phone home yet- maybe because I uninstalled SP2 pretty quick . I've block IE and all progs except F/fox T/bird, so if it tries I guess I'll know . Next time I will know not to let things 'auto update' . . . I guess I just got grumpy because I should have known better (and it took me 6 hours to reformat/reinstall XP) Let's just say that I'd much rather the WGA wasn't on my box at all, but I guess that would defeat MSoft's purpose! |
Shortcircuit (1666) | ||
| 464037 | 2006-06-18 08:21:00 | I think the issues are fairly clear. Firstly MS has been less than upfront with their WGA software installations. Then either this is of concern, or it doesn't really matter. For the vast majority of people with XP having automatic updates set, they wouldn't even be aware of what is happening. For those running dubious copies of XP, they shouldn't really expect to get continuous free updates. Then there will be a group, including me, who don't like sneaky things happening behind their backs, and who anyway, are pretty well fed up to the teeth with the endless series of security updates, patches and patches of patches, and who think enough is enough, and have decided to uninstall all WGA, and forget from now on any more updates, and to turn off all notifications etc. These security updates are all academic anyway, if you are behind NAT, a firewall, and an AV. |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 464038 | 2006-06-18 09:32:00 | These security updates are all academic anyway, if you are behind NAT, a firewall, and an AV. Thats my view. |
pctek (84) | ||
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