WU: How to disable "Windows Genuine Disadvantage" calling MS for your legally obtained XP copy

If you, like many others, are experience problems after windowsupdate
installed- "forced" their WGA on your XP pc,
Zdnet explains how to disable it from
contacting MS:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/?p=831

Preferred method:
obtain a non-MS firewall, thus blocking the hidden WGA process from contacting MS in
its stealth mode
(if you were so unfortunate to let auto-update install it in the first place)



Note:
Zdnet (like most MSFT customers with an IQ over 80)
labels this "misrepresented beta-advatage" as spyware.

And that's the way it should be treated.



Additional legal info:

Quote from http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?s...60608002958907, written by a
journalist with a legal background. Check it out.

" Microsoft has now put out a statement, asserting that the Windows Genuine Advantage
tool is not spyware, that they're going to change it some, and that one thing that
distinguishes it from spyware is that they get consent before installing it.
I question the accuracy of the statement. "



Most of all:
did you *really meant to give MSFT the green light to install the "call MSFT"
beta-WGA,
disquised as un urgent update?

Of course you did not.

Shame on you, MSFT,
once more people become aware what really happened with WGA, many will
disable automatic updates altogether.

Great. Way to go to "protect us", the customers.

Stefaan wrote:

> Preferred method:
> obtain a non-MS firewall, thus blocking the hidden WGA process from
> contacting MS in its stealth mode
> (if you were so unfortunate to let auto-update install it in the
> first place)

The firewall that is part of Windows Live OneCare blocks it. Only a
firewall that blocks one-way is a problem.

It can be disabled with Hijack This. Microsoft Update will then show it
as "downloaded, but not installed," at which point it can be hidden.
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

"Rhonda Lea Kirk" <> schreef in bericht
news:...
> Stefaan wrote:
>
>> Preferred method:
>> obtain a non-MS firewall, thus blocking the hidden WGA process from
>> contacting MS in its stealth mode
>> (if you were so unfortunate to let auto-update install it in the
>> first place)
>
> The firewall that is part of Windows Live OneCare blocks it. Only a firewall that
> blocks one-way is a problem.
>
> It can be disabled with Hijack This. Microsoft Update will then show it as
> "downloaded, but not installed," at which point it can be hidden.
> --
> Rhonda Lea Kirk
>
> Insisting on perfect safety is for people
> without the balls to live in the real world.
> Mary Shafer Iliff



Another way to disable WGA calling MSFT is described here:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/U...emoveWGA.shtml



Quote:

---
" RemoveWGA description

RemoveWGA will enable you to easily remove the Microsoft "Windows Genuine Advantage
Notifications" tool, which is calling home and connect to MS servers every time you
boot. Futures updates of this notification tool will (officialy) setup the connection
rate to once every two weeks.

Once the WGA Notification tool has checked your OS and has confirmed you had a legit
copy, there is no decent point or reason to check it again and again every boot.

Moreover, connecting to Microsoft brings security issue for corporate networks, and
privacy issues for everyone. It is also unclear which information is transmitted
(Microsoft published an official answer, but an individual study brought some
questions).

All of that, along the fact that Microsoft used deceptive ways to make you install
this tool (it was told you it was an urgent security update, whereas it is a new
installation giving you no extra security) makes me calling this tool a spyware.

Also, Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is different than Windows Genuine
Advantage Validation. RemoveWGA only remove the notification part, phoning home, and
does not touch the Validation part.
----



BTW: all my colleagues are talking about this deceptive, fake "urgent security
update" - MSFT managed to shoot itself in the foot - most people are outraged being
misled this way.