WGA (KB905474) Revisited

[Jeff]

Hi,
Just a comment about KB905474.

This is a very contentious program;to many people; none in the
least,counterfeiter's (which is "supposedly" what WGA was designed to stop).
I can totally agree with MS stance on this issue;as one has the right to
protect their property.
The issue is not about the purpose of WGA; the main issue is the method.
KB905474 is the update that is the little program that try's to "phone
home".
MS methodology about designing and deploying KB905474 is VERY suspect!
In fact;akin to Sony's use of rootkit technology;which;by the way;got Sony
into allot of HOT WATER.
KB905474 utilizes the very same methods that MS itself defines as
SPYWARE.And I would refer anyone;including MVP's to peruse this OFFICIAL MS
website.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/msft/analysis.mspx

Also,
When did the onus of responsibility shift to the end consumer to have to
prove;repeatedly!! that they obtained MS software legally?
Again, a VERY touchy subject for MS;and also it seems;for some MVP's
that spout company rhetoric. I would challenge anyone to refute these facts
about KB905474.
In closing; many people just won't care;and will say;it's only the bad
guys who are worried. Ah the times we live in I guess. But I still have a
choice. And being a lessee of legally obtained MS software; I choose not to
have KB905474 spying on me. Genuine Advantage Validation tool is one
thing;it only interacts if I want it to. Genuine Advantage
Notifications(KB905474) is however; a totally different matter.

Jeff

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

Jeff wrote:

MS methodology about designing and deploying KB905474 is VERY
suspect! In fact;akin to Sony's use of rootkit technology;which;by
the way;got Sony into allot of HOT WATER.
KB905474 utilizes the very same methods that MS itself defines as
SPYWARE.And I would refer anyone;including MVP's to peruse this
OFFICIAL MS website.

And on that website, I found another link:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/support/reportspyware.mspx

If I get a little time later--and if I'm feeling particularly evil--I'm
going to follow the instructions to the letter....and send them
wgatray.exe.

<laughing>
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

 

[Jon]

Hi,
Just a comment about KB905474.

This is a very contentious program;to many people; none in the
least,counterfeiter's (which is "supposedly" what WGA was designed to
stop).
I can totally agree with MS stance on this issue;as one has the right
to
protect their property.
The issue is not about the purpose of WGA; the main issue is the
method.
KB905474 is the update that is the little program that try's to "phone
home".
MS methodology about designing and deploying KB905474 is VERY suspect!
In fact;akin to Sony's use of rootkit technology;which;by the way;got Sony
into allot of HOT WATER.
KB905474 utilizes the very same methods that MS itself defines as
SPYWARE.And I would refer anyone;including MVP's to peruse this OFFICIAL
MS
website.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/msft/analysis.mspx

Also,
When did the onus of responsibility shift to the end consumer to have to
prove;repeatedly!! that they obtained MS software legally?
Again, a VERY touchy subject for MS;and also it seems;for some MVP's
that spout company rhetoric. I would challenge anyone to refute these
facts
about KB905474.
In closing; many people just won't care;and will say;it's only the bad
guys who are worried. Ah the times we live in I guess. But I still have a
choice. And being a lessee of legally obtained MS software; I choose not
to
have KB905474 spying on me. Genuine Advantage Validation tool is one
thing;it only interacts if I want it to. Genuine Advantage
Notifications(KB905474) is however; a totally different matter.

Jeff

Big Brother Microsoft is watching you!

Jon

 

[Jon]

Jeff wrote:



And on that website, I found another link:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/support/reportspyware.mspx

If I get a little time later--and if I'm feeling particularly evil--I'm
going to follow the instructions to the letter....and send them
wgatray.exe.

<laughing>
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

At the same time, you could also ask them to install an arbitrary program
of your choosing, so that you might be fully assured that their support
services are indeed genuine support services, and not counterfeit ones.

Jon

 

[Jeff]

Rhonda,
You Go!!! LOL- Had this discussion with the MS lead of WGA-He had to
spout;couldn't deny facts!-Duh? Everyone needs a paycheck!!! I can't be
upset with him. Too funny-send it to them!! LOL

Jeff

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/support/reportspyware.mspx

At the same time, you could also ask them to install an arbitrary
program of your choosing, so that you might be fully assured that
their support services are indeed genuine support services, and not
counterfeit ones.

<laughing>

Drat. I forgot to add that part.

But I did send it, and I explained very carefully why I think it's
spyware.

I don't expect a response, but it was fun while it lasted.

--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

 

[Jon]

<laughing>

Drat. I forgot to add that part.

But I did send it, and I explained very carefully why I think it's
spyware.

I don't expect a response, but it was fun while it lasted.

--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

Good work lady. If you do ever get a response, be sure you paste it in here
for us all to see. It would be hilarious

Jon

 

[antioch]

And go here - you will get a reply - although it is in micro-speak

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=444&SiteID=25

Antioch

 

[Alias]

And go here - you will get a reply - although it is in micro-speak

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=444&SiteID=25

Antioch

You gotta sign into a passport account or Hotmail account to access that
forum. I don't have a passport account or a Hotmail account and never
plan to have one so I will post here as it is NOT off topic as it is
mistakenly listed as a "critical" update for *XP*.

Alias

 

[Jeff]

Rhonda,
Too funny,
Having started and followed this thread; I am not ;in the
least;suprised, that no "MVP" has even bothered to attempt a satisfactory
explanation of the methods of deployment and use of WGA.
In my "travels" and discourse of this issue; I did notice something else
about WGA-all of it. Nice little logs that not only provide MS data about
their "Genuine" o..s. but also that they log 3rd party applications that are
installed.
Which then begs the question, If WGA is meant to validate MS o.s.; then
what is the importance of 3rd party applications to MS attempt to validate
it's o.s.?
Very interesting indeed!!! There is enough info in the logs of any WGA
app; to be able to pinpoint the owner of the motherboard of this laptop that
I am typing with, as WGA logs info about the Intel Chipset. Again,what does
Intel have to do with "Genuine" MS software???? I can see this info as
valid to troubleshoot problems; but in this context?? VERY DISTURBING
Seems that WGA is WAY more;than an attempt to "validate" "Genuine"
software.
So any attempt by MS or it's "cronies" (MVP's) to convince me that this
is GOOD; is absurd!
And again I point to the obvious.
When did the onus of responsibility shift to the consumer to CONSTANTLY
validate their purchase of Legitimate software?
Wonder what would happen if you had to call GM , Toyota; or Ford to
report that you purchased a "Genuine" vehicle everytime you went to the
store;picked up your kids;etc???
Again, I would invite anyone; to refute the facts about WGA
satisfactorily!!!
Jeff

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

Rhonda,
Too funny,
Having started and followed this thread; I am not ;in the
least;suprised, that no "MVP" has even bothered to attempt a
satisfactory explanation of the methods of deployment and use of WGA.

A lot of the MVPs are just as upset as the ordinary mortals.

I've seen the posts, and I've seen the sarcasm.

You're always going to have sycophants and fanboys, but I see MVPs being
critical--diplomatically, mostly--all the time.

In my "travels" and discourse of this issue; I did notice
something else about WGA-all of it. Nice little logs that not only
provide MS data about their "Genuine" o..s. but also that they log
3rd party applications that are installed.

I didn't want to get into the many other connections I saw being made
while all this was going on, but after it was all over, I ran every
antivirus and antispyware program I own.

<snipped>

--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff