Microsoft is manipulating your PC secretly

Dr Who SG

PC World > Feature
Microsoft stealth updates confirmed by many
Windows Update has been updating itself on millions of PCs without their users knowledge or permission.

By Tom Spring / Friday, September 14 2007

Stealth tinkering by Microsoft of millions of Windows XP and Vista PCs sounds like a cheesy B-movie plot. That's why I had to read the Windows Secrets story "Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent" story twice.

Scott Dunn, an editor at the "Windows Secrets" newsletter, reports nine files in XP and Vista have been changed by Windows Update without displaying the usual notification or permission dialog box. The files are related to the XP and Vista versions of Windows Update itself.

Reported unauthorised tampering by Microsoft of user machines with no permission or consent has been confirmed by other sources as well.

The implications are huge. The tactics used by Microsoft are most commonly associated with those used by hackers, adware, and spyware companies.

This isn't the first time Windows Updates have taken centre stage among the privacy minded.

Privacy concerns were raised in October when it was discovered that Windows Updates included the anti-piracy program Windows Genuine Advantage. Users were never asked for their consent to download and install the program.

http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/0AAF416465BDDCACCC257355007C1ABE

Is there a Microsoft rep in Singapore? I think this is a criminal act under singapore law !

venny SG

sue lor...... Rolling Eyes

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Microsoft.com > Contact Us > Select the map

That's our rep.

But one thing you have to know - SG is a long time supporter of MS. In fact, nearly every year has some sort of news of us cooperating with MS.

Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, etc.

I'm glad that our Defence ministry finally has some sense to throw away MS Office and use Open Office. They also threw away MS servers for Apache. Good. Cool

kengkia SG

then what the heck they are gonna use to do their work? Confused

ndmmxiaomayi SG

MS Office has been replaced with Open Office.

MS Servers replaced with Apache servers.

Sure got hell lots to do. And lots to learn too. Most aren't really acquainted with such softwares.

kengkia SG

looks like downfall of Bill Gates is imminent if he dun stop this update thing... Laughing

Xcert SG

its more like getting him to buck up if he wants his market share...

if no updates means the software is still buggy.
if update...then dun do funny things like keeping validation from users and etc...

same issue during the initial release of XP Service Pack 2....at first wanted to only let validated users download...then after that found that its more dangerous that way...then change to let most pirated copies download...now come up with some funny ideas again...when is he going to learn?
Rolling Eyes

Xcert SG

A little FYI for those running non-original XP....downloading Windows Media Player 11 will require validation(after downloading) in order for the thing to work...so if U install and dun validate...means ur WMP is as good as not there...better stick with Version 10...or better still...get rid of it totally.There are better players around. Laughing Mr. Green

kengkia SG

like quick player?...

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Nah, pirated users can only download critical Windows Updates. Important updates, low priority updates are not available to them.

I'm not sure if this is still true, but one thing for sure - their validation method changed. You validate two times in total:

1) When you visit MS website to download the software
2) When you attempt to install it

Because number 1 can be bypassed easily... they decided that number 2 is necessary.

It's quite easy to tell if you need to validate two times. If you need to validate at MS website, you will need to validate when installing.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

I don't even think they will pass the validation stage? I ever tried with a pirated one and it just close when it fails. Laughing

Anyway, most of the programs that comes with Windows can't be removed. They are integrated so deeply into Windows that you risk re-installing Windows if you try unorthodox ways to remove it.

Xcert SG

All sorts....google can show U hundreds if not thousands of them. Laughing Mr. Green

VLC,Media Player Classic,etc....can just download K-lite codec and U can play almost everything....no need to use WMP....even iTunes is better.

Xcert SG

if they can pass the validation stage...they would most likely be using original OS already right?cracks I see on the net are still being limited to the windows update webpage use.

I didnt try to continue with a pirated one so I dunno if it closes or not....either way...U are not going to use WMP11 if U cant pass validation so might as well not install it.

ya...removing certain windows components can be tricky. Rolling Eyes

Xcert SG

my apologies for not going into details...thanks mayi for clarifying.

kengkia SG

wow....nice...u guys are truly know ya stuff... Very Happy

Xcert SG

well..there are always things that I dunno about...so lets learn together. Laughing Mr. Green

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Kind of late update. MS has apologized (sort of) and explains on 15 September 2007.

The various links:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201806263

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/13/windows-update-pushes-out-stealth-updates-microsoft-explains/

And a Beijing student sued MS over privacy issues because he believes that WGA collected info about him, rather than checking if his PC is legit.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/13/content_6718045.htm

For 1000 odd yuan (around 200 SGD).

Rolling Eyes

ndmmxiaomayi SG

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138994-c,windows/article.html

Lalala, this time for Windows Desktop Search.

No wonder, I've been receiving updates for Windows Desktop, an application which I never installed. Some of RP's laptops also suddenly had it installed and had to be removed to prevent it from sucking the life out of those laptops.

As of now, it's still fixing. Those who manually update, can tell the MS Updater not to show this update any more. Those who got this installed for no reason, just remove it as per normal via Add/Remove Programs. If you like it, you can keep it.

Rockhound SG

RP systems dont have a push down application?

MOE got 1..altiris...does wonders....but can control by administrators one

the microsoft thing very freaky

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Have, but for certain programs only.

The freaking RP admins set Automatic Updates to Automatic and prevented us from changing the settings via GPO, so when MS updates... all tio as well.