Do we need WGA?

[Phisherman]

I have not installed WGA as I do not want any spyware on my computers.
I have legit licenses. Do I really need updates? I have updated
anti-virus applications with current definitions, a Linux firewall,
Spy Sweeper, Spybot, and Lavasoft Adaware. Shouldn't this be enough
(practical) protection? I am thinking about dumping IE in favor of
Firefox so I can get better security and updates without installing
WGA.

 

[Jon Cosby]

The Windows security patches can be downloaded from the TechNet
Security Center and do not require WGA to install. It would be
advisable to keep up to date on these.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/default.mspx

 

[Sam]

You seem to feel WGA is spyware. What exactly makes you think it spyware?

 

[Tom Willett]

It's actually the WGA Notification that's considered spyware.

 

[Ground Cover]

There's two components to WGA:

1. WGA and 2. WGA Notifications.

WGA Notifications (WGA N) is what some consider spyware and a trojan. Watch
carefully and refuse the "update" that installs WGA N. The rest is OK to put
on, IMO, including WGA.

IMO, you're safer with most updates. For instance, you need the patch that
fixes the graphics vulnerability .. because even if you use another
browser, should you ever view a downloaded malformed graphic in picture
viewer etc. your sysyem could be compromised.

Just watch the updating process and refuse the WGA N "update".

 

[Ground Cover]

Some people think WGA Notifications is spyware. It's listed as an important
update. Some think it is not really important - "important" being a social
engineering misnomer to trick people to install it. It includes a lot of
info such as IP address in the information package it phones back to
Microsoft. But some consider it not just spyware, but trojan too because
according soley to Microsoft's whim, the software alters the behaviour of
your computer. For the time being it nags you - later it might shut you down
or keylog or whatever ..

Is it spyware ? Did Microsoft use deceitful social engineering tactics, is
it a trojan? Well, I guess that's each person's call until the courts have
finsished with it.

 

[Sam]

I have a legal copy. So I could care less how often my system calls MS.
I have never seen the nag message. So why should I care?

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

WGA doesn't hurt.. if it tells you that your system is 'illegal' and you
know that it isn't, all you have to do it to take it up with the vendor and
or MS.. you can then get the benefits of WGA..

 

[Dino]

WGA doesn't hurt.. if it tells you that your system is 'illegal' and you
know that it isn't, all you have to do it to take it up with the vendor and
or MS.. you can then get the benefits of WGA..

I have hidden that particular update and have had no problem getting all
other updates on the Microsoft site.

 

[Plato]

Is it spyware ? Did Microsoft use deceitful social engineering tactics, is
it a trojan? Well, I guess that's each person's call until the courts have
finsished with it.

As far as I know, spyware is not illegal in any country. ie one agrees
to have it running when you install the app.

 

[Sam]

I don't understand your saying you don't want to know if your software is
illegal?
If I purchased a illegal copy of XP I would want to know. (Well unless I
already knew it was illegal)

 

[Ground Cover]

I wish Microsoft would just keep its nose clean and not risk its now
improving reputation by dabbling with spyware and trojans and hoodwinking
its customers. It's not playing nice. I like MS products, use them - have so
since 1985 - and would prefer them just to be "upfront" with me. There's no
need to try to slip one past us. They're making lots and lots of money ..
let's not get greedy .. it's a sin to be greedy anyway .. and, quite
frankly, it's stupid to treat one's customers with contempt.

 

[Ground Cover]

There are reasons to care.

Although many would have you believe otherwise, you do have an inalienable
right to privacy - whether encoded in law or not.

It's your computer, not Microsoft's.

You bought the software from them, not the other way around. Regardless of
how Microsoft feels on the matter, their don't gain any special rights over
you, save for copyright.

The introduction of WGA Notifications was introduced in a manner that could
be considered "social engineering" and not in an upfront manner.

It sends Microsoft way more information than it needs to do what Microsoft
says it does.

It alters the behaviour of your computer according to the whims of
Microsoft.

It's not bullet proof.

Ever hear about the frog in water? If one throw a frog into boiling water it
will jump out, perhaps saving itself its life. But if you put a frog in warm
water, then slowly heat the water, the frog will stay and be boiled to
death.

Although many would have you believe otherwise, you do have an inalienable
right to privacy - whether encoded in law or not.

"First they came"

Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist.

Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.

Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Jude.

Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came

 

[NoStop]

I don't understand your saying you don't want to know if your software is
illegal?

He didn't say that. He KNOWS his licenses are legal. He doesn't want spyware
on his computer. He's smart. You obviously have problems with your reading
comprehension.

If I purchased a illegal copy of XP I would want to know. (Well unless I
already knew it was illegal)

--
WGA is the best thing that has happened for Linux in a while.

The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

Is this a modern day equivalent of a Nazi youth rally?:

http://www.ntk.net/media/developers.mpg

A 3D Linux Desktop (video) ...

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://shots.osdir.com/

 

[Plato]

I wish Microsoft would just keep its nose clean and not risk its now
improving reputation by dabbling with spyware and trojans and hoodwinking
its customers. It's not playing nice. I like MS products, use them - have so
since 1985 - and would prefer them just to be "upfront" with me. There's no
need to try to slip one past us. They're making lots and lots of money ..
let's not get greedy .. it's a sin to be greedy anyway .. and, quite
frankly, it's stupid to treat one's customers with contempt.

Yes one could argue about MS's business philosophy, or just discuss it.
There are more important issues in the world today however.

 

[Ian Merrithew]

WGA doesn't hurt.. if it tells you that your system is 'illegal' and you
know that it isn't, all you have to do it to take it up with the vendor
and or MS.. you can then get the benefits of WGA..

"Benefits"? Microsoft comes up with a hoop to jump through for everyone
to be able to download updates, that never used to be there, which is
known to generate false-positives in its hunt for big bad illegal versions
-- the only "benefit" is that you can jump through the hoop.

Wheeeee.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

If the OS passes the test, that is a reasonable assurance that all is ok..
there are programs made available that otherwise wouldn't be, apart from
updates.. maybe not much, but something..

 

[Alias]

If the OS passes the test, that is a reasonable assurance that all is ok..
there are programs made available that otherwise wouldn't be, apart from
updates.. maybe not much, but something..

Yeah, BETA programs like Defendless and IE7. BFD. Not only does MS want
you to genuinize but they also want you to test out their BETA programs
for them and not get paid for it. How fortunate us genuine users are ...

Alias

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

As far as I know, spyware is not illegal in any country. ie one agrees
to have it running when you install the app.

Where in his post did he say "illegal"?

Microsoft is dealing with civil lawsuits in this matter, not criminal
charges.

rl
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

If you ever need some proof that time can heal your wounds,
just step inside my heart and walk around these rooms;
where the shadows used to be.... Mary Chapin Carpenter

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

Yes one could argue about MS's business philosophy, or just discuss
it. There are more important issues in the world today however.

But in this newsgroup, they aren't on-topic, and WGA is.

--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

If you ever need some proof that time can heal your wounds,
just step inside my heart and walk around these rooms;
where the shadows used to be.... Mary Chapin Carpenter