Microsoft Defends Antipiracy Tool

[Thaising]

Microsoft this week defended its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool against charges that it acts like spyware because it constantly checks in with Microsoft when a user boots a PC with the tool installed.

When introduced last year, the WGA, which checks a user's copy of Windows XP to ensure it is not counterfeit or pirated, ran only on Windows PCs when a user would install automatic updates. Microsoft updated the tool, which is still in pilots, in April with a WGA Notifications feature that checks the legitimacy of Windows on a system regardless of whether update services are being used.

In a statement, Microsoft said that when the WGA Notifications checks in with Microsoft when a PC is booted, it is not providing any information to the vendor if a PC's copy of Windows has already been validated. Instead, it is checking with a "server-side configuration setting to determine if WGA should run or not." The check-in also gives Microsoft the ability to disable the WGA program, if necessary.

Practice Challenged

Microsoft's defense of WGA came after Lauren Weinstein, co-founder of People For Internet Responsibility, International Open Internet Coalition, and the Electronic Entertainment Policy Initiative, noticed that even on Windows XP systems that WGA already had verified as legitimate, the tool will repeatedly attempt to contact Microsoft every time the PC is booted.

Weinstein wrote a posting on his blog about the behavior of the tool and suggested it may be acting like spyware, which is software that gathers user information through his or her Internet connection without the user's knowledge.

"I fail to see where Microsoft has a 'need to know' for this data after a system's validity has already been established, and there may clearly be organizations with security concerns regarding the communication of boot-time information," he wrote on his blog.

Privacy Concern Raised

Weinstein posted another blog entry after he spoke with Microsoft to get the company's side of the story, and said he is still not convinced the behavior of WGA Notifications is above board.

More importantly, he said, the issue raises privacy concerns about how companies going forward will control software that increasingly is being delivered over the Internet as a rented service, as well as how they control and disseminate information by communicating with the renters of those services.

Today, most users purchase software and maintain control over it themselves because they own it outright, and their communication with vendors is limited, Weinstein wrote. But that will change when more software is delivered as services, and companies may exploit both the relationship they have with customers as well as their ability to make users authenticate themselves to use services.

"The old models are dying, and if we don't get ahead of the curve by understanding and properly framing the new models, we are likely to be very sorry after the fact," Weinstein wrote.

[MP5]

I bought a genuine version pf wxp pROF a few years ago.

Recently I fryed my motherboard and off to a well known shop in Pattaya and new motherboard and fans etc.

They reinstalled XP Professional.

I recently got the the non valid message so rang via skype microsoft in the states.

Very helpful but still would not give me the 25 digit code because my original version was not installed and since then even though I had the original registry key number handy because the microsoft dat would not recognise because it was not installed . No go

No good installing original as the service pack 2 would not validate as the newer version had sp service pack 2 or what ever.

Any way searched for cracks which I'm not that sharp at this stuff really.

Emaile Microsoft with the help code twice explaining situation after the 1 hour skype telephone conversation.

Basically I think I'm down to buying a new XP Professioal because I can't get the new Explorer 7 or the Vista or next generation.

They cracked me.

I wish I new more about Linux but a colleague tells me it does not import any data from Explorer/Windows.

Any whizz kids and I've tryed all the the little tips and tricks suggested on the different sites.

I don't mind paying it's just once you're in trouble and can prove legitimacy.

Bill still wants the buck

Oh and the friendly guy who was probably in India at the Microsoft call centre never emaile back.

I sent it twice.

Which reminds me I'll do it again now.

Chok Dee

WGA not but was!

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Do you mean to write that the 'well known shop in Pattaya' installed a 'non-original' version of XP Pro?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Apart from to 'Disable and Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Nag Screen' and getting Windows updates from another source(if necessary), calling Microsoft for prequisite code the only way I know of.

Microsoft have hidden this as a critical update; WGA Validation Tool (KB892130) and WGA Notifications (KB905474) which install LegitCheckControl.dll, WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe.

From their website.

However, if you completely overhaul the hardware by making substantial changes (even over long periods of time), reactivation may be needed. If so, you may need to call a Microsoft customer service representative to reactivate the system. The UK free-phone number is 0800 018 8354 or 0870 2411963 from outside the UK.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

A not so great offer from Microsoft; http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads...#Question6Label

[Crossy]

If you have a genuine CD code then you ought to be able to use one of the code changing applications to get this code into your system. Microsoft have a downloadable one but I think it's private to those who buy the online update to validate pirate versions.

PM me!!

[Mr_Happy]

One might google "kb905474-enu-x86" to find a solution

[MP5]

Do you mean to write that the 'well known shop in Pattaya' installed a 'non-original' version of XP Pro?

Yes and from what I understand only one wga key number per per computer,so you can't borrow a another valid copy and reinstall it has to be a new genuine number.

One disc for one machine.

XP Professional and XP Home

[Gumballl]

I bought a genuine version pf wxp pROF a few years ago.

Recently I fryed my motherboard and off to a well known shop in Pattaya and new motherboard and fans etc.

They reinstalled XP Professional.

I recently got the the non valid message so rang via skype microsoft in the states.

Very helpful but still would not give me the 25 digit code because my original version was not installed and since then even though I had the original registry key number handy because the microsoft dat would not recognise because it was not installed . No go

No good installing original as the service pack 2 would not validate as the newer version had sp service pack 2 or what ever.

Any way searched for cracks which I'm not that sharp at this stuff really.

Emaile Microsoft with the help code twice explaining situation after the 1 hour skype telephone conversation.

Basically I think I'm down to buying a new XP Professioal because I can't get the new Explorer 7 or the Vista or next generation.

They cracked me.

I wish I new more about Linux but a colleague tells me it does not import any data from Explorer/Windows.

Any whizz kids and I've tryed all the the little tips and tricks suggested on the different sites.

I don't mind paying it's just once you're in trouble and can prove legitimacy.

Bill still wants the buck

Oh and the friendly guy who was probably in India at the Microsoft call centre never emaile back.

I sent it twice.

Which reminds me I'll do it again now.

Chok Dee

WGA not but was!

Wax your HD (ie. reformat it), then reinstall the Windoze XP that you have on CD-ROM. Then update with Svc Pack 2. If you have any issues, you may need to contact MS. Just tell them that you are reinstalling onto the same PC as before but with a new motherboard.

I recently went thru this when I upgraded my HD on my laptop. One simple phone call to get a new activation code and that was that. Piece of cake.