Why is MS using subterfuge to install WGA?

I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
following message:

Windows Update

To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
to our service:


a.. Express and custom installation: Choose only the most recent critical
updates or pick and choose from all available updates.
b.. Smarter downloads: If downloading is interrupted, the process will
start up where it left off the next time you download that update.
c.. Smaller downloads: Only the files your computer needs are downloaded,
saving download time and connection-speed costs.
d.. One version: Only the most recent updates are offered to you.
e.. Less clutter: You can now hide updates you don't want to see.
f.. Update news: A News from Microsoft section on the Windows Update home
page displays tips and the latest information.
And then there is a big bold "Download and Install Now" button.

Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
my head.

Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?

Craig

Williams wrote:
> I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
> following message:
>
> Windows Update
>
> To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
> of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
> to our service:
>
>
> a.. Express and custom installation: Choose only the most recent critical
> updates or pick and choose from all available updates.
> b.. Smarter downloads: If downloading is interrupted, the process will
> start up where it left off the next time you download that update.
> c.. Smaller downloads: Only the files your computer needs are downloaded,
> saving download time and connection-speed costs.
> d.. One version: Only the most recent updates are offered to you.
> e.. Less clutter: You can now hide updates you don't want to see.
> f.. Update news: A News from Microsoft section on the Windows Update home
> page displays tips and the latest information.
> And then there is a big bold "Download and Install Now" button.
>
> Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
> overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
> Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
> with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
> my head.
>
> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
>
> Craig
>
>

I didn't care much for that either.

Alias

Williams wrote:

> I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
> following message:
>
> Windows Update
>
> To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
> of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
> to our service:
>
>
> a.. Express and custom installation: Choose only the most recent critical
> updates or pick and choose from all available updates.
> b.. Smarter downloads: If downloading is interrupted, the process will
> start up where it left off the next time you download that update.
> c.. Smaller downloads: Only the files your computer needs are downloaded,
> saving download time and connection-speed costs.
> d.. One version: Only the most recent updates are offered to you.
> e.. Less clutter: You can now hide updates you don't want to see.
> f.. Update news: A News from Microsoft section on the Windows Update home
> page displays tips and the latest information.
> And then there is a big bold "Download and Install Now" button.
>
> Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
> overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
> Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
> with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
> my head.
>
> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
>
> Craig
>
>

One might say that this is due to Microsoft's own paranoia and its
reaction to being accused of being less than forthright and honest
with its customers and the public with its methods to protect its
own rights. Perhaps if Microsoft (and Intel) had been more sincere
and honest in their introduction and implementation of the Pentium
Serial Number (PSN) and the methodology for verification/licensing
of Microsoft (and other's) applications by open methods instead of
a stealthy Active-X, backdoor processes, for instance, there might be
less skepticism today. Or consider Microsoft's one-way firewall in XP;
why leave a door open out of the computer? There must be a better
explanation other than something like, for example: "If the user
installs an application and the programs sends back to its origins,
the user is allowing it." Or, at least it is true, Microsoft needs
to be able to know what's install on one's computer in order to do
an automatic update. In due time, everyone will learn their proper
lessons and act accordingly with less hostility and concern.

I didn't get the "cloak and dagger" routine. I did have a very matter of
fact statement regarding the WGA component being installed. I installed.
--
Gistcheckin


"GHalleck" wrote:

>
> Williams wrote:
>
> > I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
> > following message:
> >
> > Windows Update
> >
> > To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
> > of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
> > to our service:
> >
> >
> > a.. Express and custom installation: Choose only the most recent critical
> > updates or pick and choose from all available updates.
> > b.. Smarter downloads: If downloading is interrupted, the process will
> > start up where it left off the next time you download that update.
> > c.. Smaller downloads: Only the files your computer needs are downloaded,
> > saving download time and connection-speed costs.
> > d.. One version: Only the most recent updates are offered to you.
> > e.. Less clutter: You can now hide updates you don't want to see.
> > f.. Update news: A News from Microsoft section on the Windows Update home
> > page displays tips and the latest information.
> > And then there is a big bold "Download and Install Now" button.
> >
> > Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
> > overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
> > Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
> > with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
> > my head.
> >
> > Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
> >
> > Craig
> >
> >
>
> One might say that this is due to Microsoft's own paranoia and its
> reaction to being accused of being less than forthright and honest
> with its customers and the public with its methods to protect its
> own rights. Perhaps if Microsoft (and Intel) had been more sincere
> and honest in their introduction and implementation of the Pentium
> Serial Number (PSN) and the methodology for verification/licensing
> of Microsoft (and other's) applications by open methods instead of
> a stealthy Active-X, backdoor processes, for instance, there might be
> less skepticism today. Or consider Microsoft's one-way firewall in XP;
> why leave a door open out of the computer? There must be a better
> explanation other than something like, for example: "If the user
> installs an application and the programs sends back to its origins,
> the user is allowing it." Or, at least it is true, Microsoft needs
> to be able to know what's install on one's computer in order to do
> an automatic update. In due time, everyone will learn their proper
> lessons and act accordingly with less hostility and concern.
>

"Williams" <> schrieb:

>I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
> following message:
>
> Windows Update
>
> To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
> of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
> to our service:
[...]
> Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
> overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
> Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
> with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
> my head.

KB892130 is released in a new version and no, it doesn't "phone home" and
is an needed update, if you're using Windows/Microsoft Update especially
the "user defined scan" to receive *optional* Updates in addition to the
security updates.

KB892130 is *not* KB905474, the still *optional* WGA Notification Tool.

> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?

Common practice to let the conspiracy theory threads in this in and
various other newsgroups start again.

Bye,
Freudi

Gistcheckin wrote:

> I didn't get the "cloak and dagger" routine. I did have a very matter of
> fact statement regarding the WGA component being installed. I installed.

Apparently WGA was listed as a "critical update" when it was introduced
last June or July. It is not. It is interesting that Microsoft subsequently
introduced IE7 also as a "cricial update". It is not. As for the "cloak and
dagger" metaphor, one could presume that the actions is no different than
infiltrating spies.

Ottmar Freudenberger wrote:
> "Williams" <> schrieb:
>
>> I periodically manually do the Windows Update routine. Tonight, I get the
>> following message:
>>
>> Windows Update
>>
>> To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some
>> of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements
>> to our service:
> [...]
>> Just above the D&I button is a light blue button for Details, easily
>> overlooked. That button tells me that what I am really doing is installing
>> Windows Genuine Advantage. I guess I am a privacy freak (an honest one,
>> with genuinely purchased XP Pro), but this sets off all sorts of alarms in
>> my head.
>
> KB892130 is released in a new version and no, it doesn't "phone home" and
> is an needed update, if you're using Windows/Microsoft Update especially
> the "user defined scan" to receive *optional* Updates in addition to the
> security updates.
>
> KB892130 is *not* KB905474, the still *optional* WGA Notification Tool.
>
>> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
>
> Common practice to let the conspiracy theory threads in this in and
> various other newsgroups start again.
>
> Bye,
> Freudi

Fact is we've already activated and WGA's *sole* purpose is to check --
again -- to see if the copy of XP is pirated. It is only "needed" by MS
and MS uses it to block users from going to Windows Updates rather than
using Auto Updates. The fact that it is WGA is hidden unless you click
on "details" is the cloak and dagger trip, Freudi, not a "conspiracy".
Or another way to put it: SNEAKY.

It is not an update to the system, a patch for any holes nor does it
benefit the end user one iota.

Alias

"Alias" <> schrieb:
> Ottmar Freudenberger wrote:
>> KB892130 is released in a new version and no, it doesn't "phone home" and
>> is an needed update, if you're using Windows/Microsoft Update especially
>> the "user defined scan" to receive *optional* Updates in addition to the
>> security updates.
>>
>> KB892130 is *not* KB905474, the still *optional* WGA Notification Tool.
>>
>>> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
>>
>> Common practice to let the conspiracy theory threads in this in and
>> various other newsgroups start again.

> Fact is we've already activated and WGA's *sole* purpose is to check --
> again -- to see if the copy of XP is pirated.

True.

> It is only "needed" by MS
> and MS uses it to block users from going to Windows Updates rather than
> using Auto Updates.

Nope.

> The fact that it is WGA is hidden unless you click
> on "details" is the cloak and dagger trip, Freudi, not a "conspiracy".

Well, I beg to differ.

> It is not an update to the system, a patch for any holes

True.

> nor does it benefit the end user one iota.

False. Please inform yourself instead of absorbing every negative
news you may find on WGA, which you constantly reduce on KB905474
and the unintelligent release of the "Beta" of that one back more
than a year ago.

EOD,
Freudi

Ottmar Freudenberger wrote:
> "Alias" <> schrieb:
>> Ottmar Freudenberger wrote:
>>> KB892130 is released in a new version and no, it doesn't "phone home" and
>>> is an needed update, if you're using Windows/Microsoft Update especially
>>> the "user defined scan" to receive *optional* Updates in addition to the
>>> security updates.
>>>
>>> KB892130 is *not* KB905474, the still *optional* WGA Notification Tool.
>>>
>>>> Why the cloak and dagger routine to get WGA installed?
>>> Common practice to let the conspiracy theory threads in this in and
>>> various other newsgroups start again.
>
>> Fact is we've already activated and WGA's *sole* purpose is to check --
>> again -- to see if the copy of XP is pirated.
>
> True.
>
>> It is only "needed" by MS
>> and MS uses it to block users from going to Windows Updates rather than
>> using Auto Updates.
>
> Nope.

Yep. If you don't install it, no web updates, so, for now, you have to
use Auto Update if you don't want to install WGA. For now ...

>
>> The fact that it is WGA is hidden unless you click
>> on "details" is the cloak and dagger trip, Freudi, not a "conspiracy".
>
> Well, I beg to differ.

You think it's a conspiracy? Or you think that hiding what it is is not
sneaky?

>
>> It is not an update to the system, a patch for any holes
>
> True.
>
>> nor does it benefit the end user one iota.
>
> False. Please inform yourself instead of absorbing every negative
> news you may find on WGA, which you constantly reduce on KB905474
> and the unintelligent release of the "Beta" of that one back more
> than a year ago.
>
> EOD,
> Freudi

How, pray tell, does it benefit the end user and how, pray tell, does it
improve XP? As ALL software has glitches, the only thing it can do that
will affect the end user is to falsely proclaim the user's copy of XP to
be "not genuine" and then they have to jump through a bunch of technical
hoops to become "genuine" and be able to use their copy of XP that they
paid for.

This is the MAIN reason I am learning Linux. That and the fact that
there are no viruses in the wild for Linux, not one. Had MS not
instituted its lame "anti piracy" programs that the real pirates laugh
at, I would have never, ever, even considered moving to Linux.

Alias

"Alias" <> schrieb:

[KB892130]
>>> It is only "needed" by MS
>>> and MS uses it to block users from going to Windows Updates rather than
>>> using Auto Updates.
>>
>> Nope.
>
> Yep. If you don't install it, no web updates,

Nope.

> How, pray tell, does it benefit the end user

RTFF

> This is the MAIN reason I am learning Linux.

Fine.

Bye,
Freudi