Before, I called Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage Tool as spyware. Now, another suspicious activity regarding Windows XP and Vista has been reported.
InformationWeek reports on Microsoft secretly updating Windows Update, the tool used by Windows for checking and installing patches to the operating system, even if the Windows Update is turned off by the user. In short, the operating system is being updated without the user’s permission.
Microsoft’s stance was understandable but quite risky. As Bruce Schneier opines:
Note that Microsoft can do this; that’s just stupid company stuff. But 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.
For Windows users: have you turned off Automatic Updates? Why?
this is a stupid idea of Microsoft, and it’s very insensitive to the millions of Windows users around the world.
i turned off my Windows Updates a long time ago because I feel like i’m handcuffed to MS, like they’re watching my every move.
Hi, but don’t forget to patch your system, too.
I turn off my windows update because it really doesn’t offer added protection. Sure, it winnows out viruses, but every time a new update appears, the viruses they remove are already so outdated other spywares-protection software have since ages identified and removed them.
And besides, it’s annoying to be asked to restart your computer for an update that doesn’t amount to squat.
Hi, Kris, just make sure your computer is protected in any way.
Of course. My computer is quite well-protected. 🙂