Stealth updates

[Steve]

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/09/microsoft_updat.html

What's to stop anyone else from using Microsoft's stealth remote
install capability to put anything onto anyone's computer? How long
before some smart hacker exploits this, and then writes a program that
will allow all the dumb hackers to do it? When you build a capability
like this into your system, you decrease your overall security.

(Interesting comments following the initial post)



--

She plunged into a sea of platitudes,
and with the powerful stroke of a channel swimmer,
made her confident way toward the white cliffs of the obvious.

....W. Somerset Maugham

 

[Steve]

Excerpts from http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/2007/9/17/0944/52635


It's all about the DRM. If Microsoft's anti-piracy schemes are to
work, it has to have the right to make changes to components of the
operating system whether you want them or not. And if any of those
changes happen to cripple your computer, hey, read the EULA. It's your
problem, not Microsoft's.

It would be easy for Redmond to make this crystal clear, but I guess
just coming out and saying that Microsoft has the right to disable
your computer would be a little too blunt. So who owns the operating
system on your computer? If you run Windows, the answer is that
Microsoft thinks it does.

 

[Guest]

ALL Microsoft software is ONLY licenced to be used.

So why waste our time saying: "who owns the operating system on your computer"

If you don't know the above, you have never read the EULA

 

[Robert Firth]

While I partially agree, you may want to rethink that last statement. If it
isn't open source, you don't own it. You don't own any software you pay for.
They reserve all rights, you simply pay for a license to use their software.
Legally, it is crystal clear. What isn't clear is what they intend to do
with those rights...

And I doubt they would make changes that would cripple your computer.

As for DRM as it relates to music - I have no problem with Microsoft
providing a mechanism for the music industry to protect their content.
Complain to the music industry that demands - and uses - these technologies.
SPP? Don't use a pirated version of Windows, and you shouldn't have a
problem. WGA servers going down? Rare, serious problem.

 

[Guest]

You don't own open source either, as you can't own something that is free.

And there has been a lot of court battles about the above!

 

[NT Canuck]

While I partially agree, you may want to rethink that last statement. If it
isn't open source, you don't own it. You don't own any software you pay for.
They reserve all rights, you simply pay for a license to use their software.
Legally, it is crystal clear. What isn't clear is what they intend to do
with those rights...

Microsoft by any means wouldn't be happening to contribute
towards court costs for upholding their eula/rights would they?

And I doubt they would make changes that would cripple your computer.

I seperate the computer from the operating system, but it wouldn't
be the first time some program interferred with the OS during
install or uninstall...as some games do when editing cd rom drive
firmware to enforce the games copyrights.

As for DRM as it relates to music - I have no problem with Microsoft
providing a mechanism for the music industry to protect their content.
Complain to the music industry that demands - and uses - these technologies.
SPP? Don't use a pirated version of Windows, and you shouldn't have a
problem. WGA servers going down? Rare, serious problem.

Suddenly I'm totally in favor of separating all media capabilities
and especially media player from the OS...make it and their drm
a seperate install/option/download and leave the OS alone.
If you need or want media capabilities then you'd have the
option of which player to use and which eula/drm to accept and
not have it bundled in adding to the congestion/attack surface.

I don't even know why we are forced into IE7 and new bugs
when they supposedly built from a working and stable IE6 model.

NT Canuck
'Seek and ye shall find'

 

[Alias]

ALL Microsoft software is ONLY licenced to be used.

Aka, a scam.

So why waste our time saying: "who owns the operating system on your computer"

We know MS does. Most people, however, think they own it and MS isn't
going out of their way to tell them differently.

If you don't know the above, you have never read the EULA

Most people don't know what an EULA is and haven't agreed to it because
their computer comes preactivated and there isn't an option to hit F8.

 

[Frank]

Aka, a scam.

Lie #1!

We know MS does. Most people, however, think they own it and MS isn't
going out of their way to tell them differently.

Lie #2!

Most people don't know what an EULA is and haven't agreed to it because
their computer comes preactivated and there isn't an option to hit F8.

Lie #3!
Three strikes and you're out!
LOL!
Frank

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

ALL Microsoft software is ONLY licenced to be used.

So why waste our time saying: "who owns the operating system on your computer"

If you don't know the above, you have never read the EULA

But it's wrong, I own the freaking computer!



--
Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

"Fair use is not merely a nice concept--it is a federal law based on
free speech rights under the First Amendment and is a cornerstone of the
creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of this country. Consumer
rights in the digital age are not frivolous."
- Maura Corbett

 

[Mama Putzke]

Aka, a scam.

Ubuntu and Linux are a scam. OpenSores software that is inferior in every
way. No wonder it's free. Nobody in their right mind would pay for it.
Just FYI.

Only MORON's would want to use Ubuntu - Just FYI
Who cares - You can use the damn OS if you want to. Microsoft will not
come over and take it away

We know MS does. Most people, however, think they own it and MS isn't
going out of their way to tell them differently.


Most people don't know what an EULA is and haven't agreed to it because
their computer comes preactivated and there isn't an option to hit F8.

Maybe you should read the EULA for the vista.general group. It states "No
talk about Ubuntu" shall occur in these forums.

Just FYI.

 

[Steve]

Microsoft response - http://blogs.technet.com/mu

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

Microsoft response - http://blogs.technet.com/mu

Hi Steve,

More info here on the stealth updates:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/wu.html

And I've gleaned more info so I will be updating it again tonight.

--
Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

"Fair use is not merely a nice concept--it is a federal law based on
free speech rights under the First Amendment and is a cornerstone of the
creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of this country. Consumer
rights in the digital age are not frivolous."
- Maura Corbett

 

[Alias]

The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'
wrote:

Hi Steve,

More info here on the stealth updates:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/wu.html

And I've gleaned more info so I will be updating it again tonight.

Interesting and, yes, scary.

 

[jonathan perreault]

not again i thought we were done with that, yes microsoft is the worst
company in the world we all know that, i'm bored about talking about
microsoft, there so many negative things to say about it, and no good ones.
well your choice keep on talking but i'm staying out

--
Jonathan Perreault

Personnal Advice To You:
#1: Do Not Undermine Windows's Work, Or It'll Undermine You As A User.
#2: Torture Windows (Any) Now Before It Tortures You

Best Comments From Users:
No Matter The Problem Even With Linux, It's Microsoft's And Windows's Faults

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely
foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
"The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'"