BleepingComputer.com > Microsoft To Ease Up On Piracy Check-ins

Full Version: Microsoft To Ease Up On Piracy Check-ins

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quietman7

Jun 12 2006, 06:41 AM

QUOTE

The software maker this month plans to update the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications program so that it only checks in with Microsoft once every two weeks, instead of after each boot-up, a company representative said Friday. By year's end, the tool will stop pinging Microsoft altogether, ...The changes come after a critic likened the antipiracy tool to spyware. He found that the program, designed to validate whether a copy of Windows has been legitimately acquired, checks in with Microsoft on a daily basis.

news.com

jgweed

Jun 12 2006, 07:45 AM

This seems to have caused quite an uproar amongst many who liken it to spyware that doesn't quite tell you all the facts before you install it. Others have commented that WGA has found many legitimate copies of Windows not to be and people have had to reinstall their operating system just to ge it to work correctly. Still others have worried that using WGA would allow MS to install just about anything (always for one's own good?) under the guise of an update.
Caveat Emptor!
Regards,
John

Scarlett

Jun 12 2006, 08:20 AM

Glad to hear that.

I have never been a fan of M$ intrusions on system. Haven't quite trusted them. You know what I mean?

Can it be uninstalled? Does one have to install it in the first place?
If so how many times does it have to be installed? Because in M$ updates it shows as an update (again).
Why is that?

I have these entries showing in update history.

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) Thursday, March 16, 2006

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Now after just scanning comp for updates it shows again.

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)
They all have same KB.

quietman7

Jun 12 2006, 09:10 AM

Same here. Guess MS did not find it necessary to explain when they posted Microsoft Provides Additional Clarity About Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications

jgweed

Jun 12 2006, 09:20 AM

According to Slashdot, it comes with no uninstall.
ZDNetBlogs has a rather unflatering discussion of the application:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?page_id=3170

I guess Windows users thought that the genuine "advantage" would be theirs, but the real advantage appears to be Microsoft's.
Cheers,
John

Elendil

Jun 12 2006, 12:49 PM

Yeah... I recently found this out via my Personalized Google Homepage. It's rather appaling and I'm suprised that Microsoft would go this far. Anyways, is it just me or does it seem like Microsoft's under a lot of fire. For instance, Windows OneCare pretty much severed Microsoft's ties with McAfee & Symantec. Then the incident with the PDF maker and XML with Adobe arises... and now this. It seems as if Microsoft is falling apart or at least burning several of their closest bridges.

rms4evr

Jun 12 2006, 04:54 PM

I feel bad for people who legally bought their copy of Win XP, only to have the stupid program mess up and tell them that it is a pirated copy. I hate how companies nowadays treat the law-abidding citizens like criminals!

I'm glad that they are slowing down on the "ping at every boot up;" I don't want microsoft invading my compy whenever it feels like it. I've set the windows update module to only tell me about the updates; I go to the site, pick the ones I want, then download and install. I don't trust them with my compy at all!

Thanks for the heads up, quietman7.

Scarlett

Jun 13 2006, 03:11 PM

As harrywaldron BC's Security Reporter has posted here
Microsoft has released thier June security updates.

Now I just scanned for the neccessary updates for my personal computer.
Well...I will not be able to installl any critical updates untill,
I install the latest(?) Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130).

QUOTE

Software Upgrade for Some Windows Components Required

To use Microsoft Update, you must first install the latest version of some Windows components. This will allow your computer to work with these new features on the site:

More updates: Get updates for Windows and for popular Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Office in one place.
Faster updates: The latest Windows Installer (MSI) improves the way updates are installed, delivering updates in the smallest possible packages in the shortest amount of time.
Easier navigation: Now you can find updates by priority or by product while helpful links and important messages help ensure you are installing all high-priority updates for your computer.

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)
734 KB , less than 1 minute
The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool enables you to verify that your copy of Microsoft Windows is genuine. The tool validates your Windows installation by checking Windows Product Identification and Product Activation status.

Total: 734 KB , less than 1 minute

Now as I have said in a prior post above. I have installed the Genuine Advantage Validation Tool
twice now. How many times does M$ need to be told that my copy of XP is genuine ?????
Oh... but there is more than meets the eye isn't there??

Extortion

tos226

Jun 13 2006, 07:51 PM

I'm so confused.
Ages ago, 4/13 or earlier, they pushed WGA down my way.
On 5/7 came another kb905474.
Another on 5/13.
A week ago another, same number. I balked. Enough is enough. It's sitting in the shield at the bottom. Daily, it says important security update is available. WHOSE security????
I decided to watch what happens while I ignore it.

1. The thing that concerns me a bit is that with tomorrow's patches which I'll install in a week or so (after beta testing by those who allow it to run) what will this shield thing do? I don't want to miss those upgrades.
2. How come your number KB892130 is different?
3. I have a completely genuine, legitimate, XP home. It passed their genuine test several times already, so why am I getting it again?

Scarlett

Jun 15 2006, 11:24 AM

tos226 I was mistaken. Sorry.

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - June 2006 (KB890830) <--

Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
But... I was confused because in the prior scan it did show as this:

QUOTE

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)
734 KB , less than 1 minute
The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool enables you to verify that your copy of Microsoft Windows is genuine. The tool validates your Windows installation by checking Windows Product Identification and Product Activation status.

'Cmon M$ which is it.
Is (KB890830) the Malicious Software Removal Tool?
or the Genuine Advantage Validation Tool?

Today when I look in "Review Your Update History" it shows as:
Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) ???

Do you even know??

And if you don't, who does?

quietman7

Jun 15 2006, 11:37 AM

(KB905474) for Windows Genuine Advantage Notification. A google search of that # provides a link to Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application

(KB892130) goes to the same page.

Scarlett

Jun 15 2006, 12:06 PM

My "reviewed ms update history":

Then there are my " Successful and remaining high priority updates"

Note that (according to M$) I have already installed:

QUOTE

Windows XP Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) Thursday, June 15, 2006 Microsoft Update

But... also (according to M$) it is listed as a "remaining high prority update.

QUOTE

Remaining High-Priority Updates
Your computer might be at risk until you install all high-priority updates. These updates help protect against security threats and performance problems.

Microsoft Windows XP
Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)

I am so confused still. I hope I haven't confused you all too.

Scarlett

Jul 5 2006, 04:08 PM

I called the store where I purchased my computer and spoke to a tech.
BTW They are Microsoft Certified. He told me that the reason I still am
being told that I need an update of Windows Geniune Advantage after I
already have installed one in June, is because they are constantly updating it.

Arrgh! For God's sake when will the madness end?

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