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03 Jul 2006
Microsoft is facing a legal complaint from a customer over the operation of its Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy system.
The suit filed in Seattle last week alleges that the tool violates spyware legislation and consumer rights in California and Washington. It is seeking unspecified damages as well as class action status.
Windows Genuine Advantage collects information about a system's configuration including make and model, regional settings, product keys, a Global Unique Identifier, the name and revision number of the system's Bios and hard drive serial number.
The tool periodically checks in with a Microsoft server to verify that the software was obtained legally.
The lawsuit charges that Microsoft misled consumers about the tool's purpose by bundling it with a batch of security updates.
"The updates from Windows Automatic Update installed WGA 2006 Verification without specific notice to or approval from the users, even when the users sought to specifically control what was installed on their system through the Custom installation setting," the legal complaint stated.
Microsoft distributed a revision to the tool on 24 April that was labelled as a 'high priority update'. The download was released on the same day as a number of security updates.
The updated version presented users of pirated copies of Windows with periodic warnings. It also contacted a Microsoft server on a daily basis or whenever a user booted up the system.
The daily check-in prompted users to complain that Windows Genuine Advantage is essentially spyware.
Microsoft initially changed the tool to check in every 14 days. Last week the company released instructions on how to remove Windows Genuine Advantage and changed it to contact the server only when the tool is updated.
The tool is optional, although Microsoft requires users to pass WGA authentication for free downloads and non-security patches.
The software vendor has always said that security updates will be made available to all users to prevent large scale worm outbreaks that use known Windows vulnerabilities.
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Do you agree?
Service Pack 1 no longer supports! WHY?
WHY SHOULD MICROSOFT CARE IF I WANT TO USE SP1? SP2 will not allow me to use my Firewire Video Capture Box? Microsoft's fix does not work!! That forces me to buy a USB2.0 Video Capture Box and why should it be any of their bussiness if I am willing to live with their claim that it improves security. SP1 will no longer validate as genuine! It should be the consumers choice!! I bought XP PRO SP1 legaly and MS should respect the privacy and choice of the consumer not install spyware!! I run a suberb Security Suite that beat MS's firewall in SP2 AND WINDOWS DEFENDER. With SP2 after my spyware sweep I lose color Video Capture due to an OS file, resulting in my having to format and reinstall MY OS. SO NOW I RUN SP1 AND THE THE HELL WITH M.S.
Posted by: G. Ungaro 21 Nov 2006
who are they
my copy of windows home is legit and i can't activate over the fone or online. Who do these people think they are but a bunch of mini hitlers. Sort your sh*t out bill gates cos i ain't paying for another legit copy of windows i'll use linux instead and bypass all your hassle you throw at the general public.
Posted by: scott 28 Aug 2006
WTF?
What the hell is this world coming to? I bought my PC and my copy of Windows, you have absolutly no damn buisness what I do. Your little piece of filthy spyware is a dirty trick. All I know is that I'm removing it right now. Good job Micro$oft.
Posted by: Annoyed and Shocked 12 Jul 2006
After update my computer crashed
I agree %100 that this is spyware. Right after this automatic update, my computer told me my system was pirated, which it isn't, and then my system crashed as the registry was no longer available. All thanks to M$ and their filthy ways. This anti-piracy tool is much more than it seems. Bad stuff from micro soft!
Posted by: William Haywood 04 Jul 2006
Get REAL
What are we coming to in this country? You steal my software, then you sue me because rather than nuke your computer, or have the police come to your door, I give you a nag screen (which maybe was the issue, to wimpy a response) and you have the gumption to go after the company who you stole from? unreal! >> for clarity, I say my software, I have no affiliation with Microsoft, just speaking as a business owner, or anyone for that matter than can have someone steal from them <<
Posted by: Unashamed 03 Jul 2006