WGA Notifications Is Back

system · 2007-02-21T22:27:37.000Z

After a several month’s absence Window Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB905474) is rearing its ugly head again. I had it try to install itself on 4 computers just this afternoon - boxes that were free of the update since they were built after KB905474 had disapeared from the update list.

For anyone who considers WGA Notifications an invasion of privacy, be forwarned.

system · 2007-02-21T22:52:01.000Z

thanks keith for the news :o
Knowledge is power. ~ Ignorance is bliss.
Look before you leap. ~ He who hesitates is lost.
A silent man is a wise one. ~ A man without words is a man without thoughts.
Clothes make the man. ~ Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Money talks. ~ Talk is cheap.
The only thing constant is change. ~ The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Two heads are better than one. ~ If you want something done right, do it yourself.
Many hands make light work. ~ Too many cooks spoil the broth.
What will be, will be. ~ Life is what you make it.
Cross your bridges when you come to them. ~ Forewarned is forearmed.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. ~ One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
With age comes wisdom. ~ Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings come all wise sayings.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. ~ Time to end this post. :

system · 2007-02-22T00:14:56.000Z

Ok then ???

oldman960 · 2007-02-22T01:14:46.000Z

a bit more info

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=24439

system · 2007-02-22T03:21:15.000Z

Thanks for the link.

Its important to draw a distinction between WGA (which is OK imo) and WGA Notifications. The latter is the one that regularly phones home and the link above helps define the difference.

system · 2007-02-22T03:43:11.000Z

I think its ok to release WGA every now and then as a check, but I do not think it is necessary for it to phone home every few minutes to keep checking, I highly doubt your legal copy of Windows would go bad within the next 5 minutes lol.

If people didn’t pirate software like they do, we wouldn’t have this problem, but since they do, we do. Which is why Microsoft is trying to protect its software.

Justin

system · 2007-02-22T04:21:00.000Z

I’m fine with WGA too. My computers were validated when it was released and again when I updated to Media Player 11. There were probably a few other validations I’ve forgotten about.

But here are some of Microsoft’s own words about spyware that could apply equally well to WGA Notifications:

Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs certain behaviors such as … collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first.

These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them.

The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.

A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software …

Well, WGA Notifications presumably does collect user data since it sends outbound data regularly, and it does change the computer configuration without appropriate consent in most cases (where automatic updates are used). Once installed, WGA Notifications is not easily removed (there is no uninstaller). Since Microsoft presents this as a high priority security update most users will not understand what it really does, and since it is often mixed in with other updates it seems that Micorsoft is guilty of the same “common trick” used by other spyware.

I know not everyone will agree with me, but I am very protective of my privacy.

polonus · 2007-02-22T07:20:23.000Z

Hi Mauserme,

But what if removing WGA is “forbidden”. Firewall LeakTester offered a WGA removal tool, which was used widespread, and M$ complained to the webhosting party it was not allowed to do so. Microsoft software in its search for global corporate monopoly produces software, that you do not longer own but you can run only under their conditions, and these conditions are being set more and more strict over time, while it is presented as your benefit. The same can be said of DRM, it is not because big M wants M$ to comply, but because M$ can dictate big M in the end, and it is profitable to their ends. . As long Richard Stallman’s dream is not materializing, this will only get worse and worse . No way to tinker anymore, worsening inter-compatibility at the discomfort of the “average” user and consumer. The clever ones have ventured along further, the rest of the sheople have to pay, and with a sigh of relief the independant have installed for instance Ubuntu: and experience no more crappy software, no more endless AV routines, anti-malware programs and tools, adjustments to the things as the come out of the box, but it is not made easy for them to make the switch to liberty… Using a computer will be a content-playing event in the end with your hands neatly tied unto your backs, that is what I foresee for the future, because we all want it that way apparently.

polonus

system · 2007-02-22T12:35:04.000Z

I agree with you Polonus. WGA should be voluntary and removable. What I mean is I understand Microsoft’s position that they shouldn’t have to provide updates to boot legged copies of Windows. But I still don’t like their methods. And I still hate the fact that most of the updates are fixes to a broken OS, not enhancements.

And like you I am also against DRM.

bob3160 · 2007-02-22T14:04:35.000Z

But what if removing WGA is “forbidden”. Firewall LeakTester offered a WGA removal tool, which was used widespread, and M$ complained to the webhosting party it was not allowed to do so.
They didn’t tell everyone ;D ;D

oldman960 · 2007-02-22T14:50:57.000Z

mauserme post:9:

WGA should be voluntary…

According to the link above, WGA is optional to all users.

system · 2007-02-22T15:08:25.000Z

Its optional to install if you catch it prior to installation. But once installed there’s no official option to remove it.

system · 2007-02-22T16:39:26.000Z

Thanks, guys for the heads up. I did manage to catch the “new” WGA notification tool prior to install and block it. As I used the original WGA removal tool when it first became available, I believe I am currently not having my OS call home to repeatedly tell them I have a legit copy of WinXP.

system · 2007-03-20T20:48:37.000Z

And again today it tried to download after being hidden a month ago.

These people are way to persistent >:(

system · 2007-03-20T20:54:01.000Z

when will it stop ???

Lisandro · 2007-03-20T21:07:52.000Z

drhayden1 post:15:

when will it stop ???

But is it genuine or not? I mean, your XP copy ???

system · 2007-03-20T21:25:51.000Z

Mine are genuine for sure.

Its not telling me I need to buy anything - it just keeps trying to insinuate itself onto these computers.

system · 2007-03-20T22:27:08.000Z

yes my xphome2 and vista ultimate are the real deal :

DavidR · 2007-03-20T22:55:32.000Z

mauserme post:14:

And again today it tried to download after being hidden a month ago.

These people are way to persistent >:(

It is an update to the previous WGA version so hiding or ticking don’t show again, etc. doesn’t seem to work, and it is absolutely disgusting that they put this in the security auto updates, it is neither a critical or important (except to M$) classification.

Announcements