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Windows Genuine Advantage

  • 17-10-2006 12:22am
    #1
    techguy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,234 ✭✭✭


    A while back I read that windows genuine advantage was considered spyware because it "Phoned Home" everyday.. I have also read somewhere else that it doesnt do this anymore.

    Is it ok to download and install this from the microsoft site now because I cannot get any more updates without it..??


Comments

  • #2
    daywalker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭daywalker


    hakko1872003 wrote:
    A while back I read that windows genuine advantage was considered spyware because it "Phoned Home" everyday.. I have also read somewhere else that it doesnt do this anymore.

    Is it ok to download and install this from the microsoft site now because I cannot get any more updates without it..??

    AFAIK, there were two different WGA tools, one of them checks your cd-key to allow windows updates to continue. There was another release later on that ran in the system tray, and if it found that you're windows key was not kosher it would display prompts constantly urging you to purchase a valid version of windows.

    Microsoft released a new patch for this :rolleyes: Critical :rolleyes: update which supposedly fixed the dial home feature, instead it only activates when using windows updates


  • #3
    realblackstuff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 80 ✭✭realblackstuff


    It still phones home every time you boot XP.
    To stop this and put a halt to other "unsavoury Microshaft actions", install XP-Antispy http://www.xp-antispy.org/


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 92,385 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    hakko1872003 wrote:
    Is it ok to download and install this from the microsoft site now because I cannot get any more updates without it..??
    You don't really have much choice unless you want to do patches manually or set up a WSUS or third party product to do it. It's their software and they can impose just about any condition they like anytime they like once you click the accept.

    Have a read of the license if you are worried, and look at the license you have to agree to for the updates, cynical people would say they sneak new clauses from time to time, less cynical people would say these reflect the added features.

    anyway it's only supposed to send home generic data and they have a privacy policy so that's ok, and besides it only takes about 5 years in the courts to get microsoft to obey the law (multiple examples) (note: the law refers to an individual law not THE LAW as in all legleslation)

    Overall if you don't like the terms and conditions don't use windows.

    WGA is needed to use windows defender too.

    XPantispy = Thumbs up.


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