Steve Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Two weeks ago, I wrote about my serious objections to Microsoft’s latest salvo in the war against unauthorized copies of Windows. Two Windows Genuine Advantage components are being pushed onto users’ machines with insufficient notification and inadequate quality control, and the result is a big mess. (For details, see Microsoft presses the Stupid button.) Guess what? WGA might be on the verge of getting even messier. In fact, one report claims WGA is about to become a Windows “kill switch†– and when I asked Microsoft for an on-the-record response, they refused to deny it. Last week, a correspondent on Dave Farber’s Interesting People list posted some comments about his experiences with Windows OneCare Live. In the middle of the post, he added this tidbit: I like to review updates before they are installed. The only update that I have not installed is the latest WGA because of the security issues related to it. I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say, "yep, I've got updates turned to manual… it's okay." The rep said, "No and why wouldn't you want to get the latest updates to Windows." I responded with the issues relating to WGA. He spent some time telling me that WGA was a good thing, etc. I reiterated that I have accepted all the updates except WGA and just want to review the updates before they're installed on my machine. He told me that "in the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the 30 days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows will stop working, so you might as well install WGA now." I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality or the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license) if I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates. That can’t be true, can it? I’m always suspicious of any report that comes from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson: As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands in the future, customers may be required to participate. Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes to the program. That’s it. That’s the entire response. Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other Critical Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime to find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines – possibly erroneously – that your copy isn’t “genuineâ€? That’s a chilling possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that option is in its plans. Over at Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise, I’ve been soliciting feedback from Windows users who’ve been burned by WGA. So far, I’ve received 20 comments. Here’s a sampling: * I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed delayed writes (half of the array just “disapearsâ€.) If I do a system restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to working just fine.* Since installing WPA … I’ve had blue screens and a total inability to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot. I had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a RAID 1 config.* I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the license key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy another copy. I told them I wasn’t made of money and hung-up.* Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I’m using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other time I reboot. I’ve also lost all internet connectivity.* I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it. But I have no way to correct this problem. What’s most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft’s complete lack of transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with predictable “What did you expect?†comments, let me argue that Microsoft actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without a lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just ask Adam Shostack.) Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical details available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through the spin machine and spit out as press releases. If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September, be prepared for an enormous backlash.http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snuff Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 catch 22....if there wasnt any issues with WGA messing up drivers etc etc you havent really got a leg to stand on if you're running a cracked version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Using a genuine copy of XP, windows updates have frequently messed up my VGA drivers, even when I tell it not to. Luckily it's easy to fix, but nevertheless it's annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freezealicious Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 hopefully hackers will sort this nonsense out quick enough. I've denied WGA and click on the don't bother me again button, but it keeps coming back, wrecks the headwhy should we have to install any new shit. fuckers, presumably the windows licenses that were bought before the idea of WGA don't have any clauses insisting that we must install upgrades!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 why should we have to install any new shit.You don't have to. Just turn off Automatic Updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freezealicious Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 but balloon just keeps poppin up!!!!! and up!!!!!! until i give in and turn em back on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 Disable the Security Center then: - Start - Run - Type "services.msc" without quotes and hit Enter - Scroll down to Security Center service - Left click - Right click and choose Properties - Set "Startup type:" to Disabled - Apply - OK - Reboot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monophonic Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 this is just a preview of things to come...TCPA. chip is in some notebooks already. http://www.lafkon.net/tc/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekniq Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 another great day to be a mac user......macosx 4 lyfe bitch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freezealicious Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 cheers for that steve...sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freezealicious Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 this is just a preview of things to come...TCPA. chip is in some notebooks already. http://www.lafkon.net/tc/<{POST_SNAPBACK}> thats a dope little movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkman56 Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Thanks Steve, security balloon's been giving me headaches for ages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iexist Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 hmph.. i was gonna wait and just buy vista.. but now it loks like ill ahve to buy a activation code.. how much does it cost to make your windows genuine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 I wouldn't bother mate. Wait and see what happens. Every time MS release a new version of WGA, someone cracks it within a couple of hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iexist Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/30/lawsuit...ool-is-spyware/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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