Windows Genuine Disadvantage

Windows Genuine Disadvantage
Mark Rasch, 2006-07-05

A recent lawsuit filed against Microsoft should have all companies reexamining their privacy policies to determine what information they are actually collecting about customers, and what they can possibly do with it.

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Chris (5 replies)

The bottom line is this: Microsoft has a right to protect its intellectual property interests. They develop and support the code. If you don't like it, then use something else. That's YOUR right. Believing that there are different kinds of theft is a character flaw, and if you steal Microsoft's code...

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Mark D. Rasch

Most of us protect our intellectual property by filing an action in Federal Court alleging copyright infringment, proving the case, and obtaining damages - not through self-help relied on through terms of a non-negitiable EULA, without any requirement of proof, and placing the burden of proof of leg...

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are you SURE it is only a "few details"? 2006-07-06
Anonymous

Might it not include your credit card...
For "authorized" automatic billing for updates, of course....

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Rob (1 replies)

Well, Chris, just because information about me is out there, that doesn't make it OK for someone to come along collecting information about me without my permission, nor to misrepresent what's collected. And that's my reaction. It has nothing to do with whether I have valid MS licenses or not(but si...

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This is absolutely true. In both the Supreme Court's Dowling decision, and the First Circuit's LaMacchia decision, http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/LaMacchia/lamacchia_acquittal
.decision the Courts emphasized that the misuse of intellectual property IS NOT theft, and cannot be so prosecuted....

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-12
Anonymous

This argument sounds a lot like "I'm not doing anything wrong, therefore I have nothing to hide from the government."

True, if I choose to use Microsoft software, then I am subject to anything they decide to abuse me with.

But then, I use a Mac....

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-17
Anonymous

wait til you need to reinstall windows because your HD goes bad, or your mobo gets fried, and the software you paid for won't reinstall, then you call MS, get put on hold for 3 hours, then try to convince the guy from the call center you are not a theif.

I think you are missing the point....

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

Good article, and I see another problem in the future, who says a user with Linux would find a way to create a worm that could possibly disable the WGA just like the anti virus and firewall can be disabled under such nefarious worms and viruses.
I did download the WGA myself, but it came out on o...

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-07
Anonymous

"Knowing what I have read in this article I will likely probe my sniffer records to see if it holds true that they track IP addresses and such."

Your IP address is contained in the packets used by WGA to transmit your ID info to MS. My guess is that MS probably captures and stores your IP addres...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

Piracy doesn't only hurt Microsoft, it hurts all legitimate computer companies that has a hard time selling computers since they can't compete against the so called 'bargain computers' with the free versions of Microsoft software. ...

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Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Mark D. Rasch (1 replies)

Yes, but this program is designed to protect MS from infringement - NOT really to protect MS customers' from being the victims of infringement. Nobody (well, I hope nobody) who buys a Rolex on the streets of NY for $20 really thinks they are getting a Rolex. The counterfeiting DOES hurt sales and ...

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Re: Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

I don't think Microsoft claimed that they are protecting the customer and not going after piracy. They have two fold agenda here, first to let you know that you have pirated software (if you weren't aware of it) and then to reduce piracy of Microsoft software by not letting pirated copies get update...

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Re: Re: Re: Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Mark D. Rasch

I agree. The problems I have are (1) the collection of personal information; (2) the disabling of the ability to do security updates which makes EVERYONE less secure, not just the pirate; and (3) changing the rules of what WGA will do without effective consent. No problem with MS protecting its IP...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-06
Pablo

Excelente, realmente excelente articulo ...
Excellent , really excellent article ......

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Why aren't my customers adversely affected? 2006-07-07
Gordon Fecyk (2 replies)

Mark Rasch explains:

"Presumably, the consumer who obtained a ***perfectly functional computer*** from an OEM manufacturer at a fair market price (well, lets assume a slight bargain) was now given the opportunity to give Microsoft more money to prevent piracy."

Just one problem: Functional or ...

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Re: Why aren't my customers adversely affected? 2006-07-07
Kelly Martin (3 replies)

Actually, the spyware allegations aren't in there to make headlines. Across the security industry people are looking at WGA and the information it returns to Microsoft with a wary eye, and Mark Rasch makes a clear comparision in the article from WGA to another spyware case, showing similarities....

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Where's the detailed analysis of WGA's data compared to WPA? 2006-07-08
Gordon Fecyk

Several years ago, a third party published a detailed analysis of Windows Product Activation because of privacy fears similar to those raised here:

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1103347

Efforts like this one reduced fears of WPA as a privacy risk. Most of the accusations laid ag...

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Show me the data! 2006-07-08
Gordon Fecyk

WGA's been in use for months, now. Surely someone in the security industry with its wary eyes had a chance to analyze what WGA sends to Microsoft, yet I can't find an example of this analysis.

Surely we're not going to let a little thing like an "unenforceable spyware EULA" get in the way of ful...

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Spyware vs. EULA 2006-07-10
Mark D. Rasch (1 replies)

The issue is whether you can, though an End User License Agreement, essentially tell a consumer that you will be installing software that will have an ADVERSE effect on consumers. Many spyware distributors have glommed on to the EULA tactic, and placed EULAs on the software or websites that say, e...

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Where's the virus defenition for WGA in Norton Antivirus? Where's the entry for WGA in Symantec's virus library? 2006-07-12
Gordon Fecyk (2 replies)

You can argue the EULA until the cows come home.

Until you show me proof of WGA (or WPA if you insist on confusing the two) sending personally identifiable data back to Microsoft, you're blowing smoke. And until I see a virus definition for WGA in Norton Antivirus, and a technical analysis of WG...

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Re: Where's the virus defenition for WGA in Norton Antivirus? Where's the entry for WGA in Symantec's virus library? 2006-07-14
GrimRebuke (1 replies)

What a brilliant argument, except that showing proof would require a breach of contract because one would have to reverse-engineer just what the program is doing. In addition to breach of contract, this could be construed as criminal (dvd-decoders for linux come to mind). Symantec would be foolish...

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So Symantec's software phones home too? Pot, Kettle, Black, Rasch? 2006-07-17
Gordon Fecyk (1 replies)

> Symantec would be foolish to toss a hat into this ring, when so many systems are running their software, which phones home constantly.

OK, before I fall off my desk laughing hysterically at this irony, I should point out that there is actually a recorded instance of Norton Antivirus "phoning h...

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Re: So Symantec's software phones home too? Pot, Kettle, Black, Rasch? 2007-04-05
RichieB

Thanks for the link to your extended rant, I started to read it but got bored.
No software should phone home unless it discloses what information is being sent in clear and evident words.
WGA was annoying as it appeared almost inconspicuously and caused people concern and problems for others. What...

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Re: Where's the virus defenition for WGA in Norton Antivirus? Where's the entry for WGA in Symantec's virus library? 2006-07-15
qxlr

The only one confusing WGA and WPA is Mr. Fecyk. WPA is not a separate and complete component of Windows that re-defines the purchased licensed product.

WGA is. Moreover, as WGA exploits Microsoft's own buggy code and in every instance, infects, multiplies and renders unusable, the operating syst...

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Re: Why aren't my customers adversely affected? 2006-07-10
Anonymous (1 replies)

Your customers probably are affected.

I built a new system last fall and purchased an OEM XP license. I've worked in the IT industry for about 20 years - I'm a software engineer. I like to tinker with my computers.

After using my new computer for a couple days, I decided I didn't like the way...

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You've confused WGA with WPA just like Rasch did 2006-07-12
Gordon Fecyk (1 replies)

> ...I like to tinker with my computers.

> After using my new computer for a couple days, I decided I didn't like the way I'd set it up, so I tore it down and started over.

...and you got harassed by Product Activation after your reinstall, I suppose. This isn't WGA, this is WPA, and Rasch r...

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Re: You've confused WGA with WPA just like Rasch did 2006-07-18
Ultrique

Sorry but I can agree with the comment about Microsoft pointing fingers and claiming foul, I've been all but accused of that myself by a microsoft representative that got extremely upset when he got slapped about the face with my Select Agreement number and bluntly told where to stick it!

Why sho...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-08
Anonymous

Microsoft has breached its agreement with me by invading my privacy with this WGA nonsense. This mere corporation does not have the right to protect its intellectual property rights at the expense of my privacy rights. This arrogant company now owes me a million dollars for invasion of privacy, not ...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-08
Anonymous

It would be economically challenging to see if that time comes when they disable all these PCs out there that are improperly licensed. I don't think MS will ever do it -- (this will create market havoc)- uncompromising losses, etc. My copy is registered with them with my name on it and absolutely no...

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Windows genuine disadvantage - rollback caused warning 2006-07-13
Firewallbill

How many people have had to do a "rollback" to a time before Genuine Disadvantage was installed?
Stand by for heavy rolls, Microsoft - this causes a serious problem.
Here's what happened to me:
I have a fully legal / licensed Dell 4700 with Dell's default install. I had (of course) kept up with ...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-14
Anonymous

What would I like to see? Microsoft put in functionality that disables a pirated computer. Why? Because I want to see the 15 year old script kiddy from the Netherlands reverse engineer it, slap it into an Internet worm and shutdown the East Coast simultaniously. So... My moral? Think before you act....

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-15
qxlr

Microsoft has a right to their intellectual property, without a doubt.

However, Window's Genuine Advantage is by even the most narrow of definitions SPYWARE. On new PCs--completely licensed Windows systems--its a bloody nightmare. It has a tendency to hang in the pending installs and I've seen u...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-16
Anonymous

Microsoft is huge. Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and he still whines.

Imagine if everyone in the world had paid for their copy of Windows? How much more money does he need? Is this not a hint as to Microsoft's outright monopoly and cutthroat tactics?

Did you know that you can not ...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-07-20
From Canada

Do we really have a choice and not install the Windows genuine stuff ?

Pay your Windows OS or go to linux !...

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Windows genuine disadvantage 2006-08-28
Tony B

While I agree that any producer or manufacturer has the right to protect thier product from 'pirates' I feel that microsoft have gone over the top with this. Not only are they gathering much more information than is required to confirm the validity of thier product they are demanding in the EULA tha...

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Windows Genuine Disadvantage 2006-10-05
Anonymous

I just brought out an old computer from storage that had XP on it. I was going to hand it to my father who needed a upgraded computer from Win98. After I formated and reinstalled Windows on the computer with the installation disc that my OEM gave me, Microsoft gives me the Windows Genuine Advantag...

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Windows Genuine Disadvantage 2007-03-24
Anonymous

I understand the impetus behind WGA in that it's designed to thwart piracy. BUT, once it is determined by WGA that the operating system is perfectly legitimate, why isn't that enough for Microsoft?

Tell me why that bloated POS software (WGA) has to connect to the Microsoft servers on every start...

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