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Microsoft illegal software detection in updates
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beerlover
Junior Member
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27. January 2006 @ 10:26 |
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I just heard a rumor that the new MS XP updates contain a program that scans your harddrive for illegal software (example dvd decrypter) and then auto removes it. Much like a virus scan but for illegal software.
Anyone else heard this?
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Member
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27. January 2006 @ 11:08 |
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Slightly exaggerated, it would possibly be illegal for Micro$oft to remove anything from your computer without your permission.
Plus is DVD Decrypter illegal to have on your computer anyway? (I installed it for research, I've never used it) ;)
However when updating at the Micro$oft site part of their update process includes checking your computer to see if your current software version of Windows is legal or not and in theory if it is hacked etc. all updates and patches could be refused to you.
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Member
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27. January 2006 @ 11:58 |
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Remove illegal software from MY machine. I dont think so. They do that to enough people, the $ony disaster is gonna seem like a fart in a tornado. I did read tho that if you do have a hacked version of Windows, you will be able to get security patches, but not get any of the free downloads(games and stuff). Thats what the Genuine Microsoft Advantage thing is all about.
As for DVDD being illegal, I guess that depends on how you read the DMCA.
Beer is good...and stuff!
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Senior Member
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27. January 2006 @ 12:05 |
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The Micro$oft update validater checks to see if you have a legal copy of Window$ installed, and if so you are allowed to update your windows operating system as well as other microsoft products through the update site. If your copy of windows is pirated or hacked, it will not allow you to update anything from that site. It doesn't remove anything from your computer, nor does it summon Agent Smith to your doorstep, just denies you the ability to update your microsoft product.
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Senior Member
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27. January 2006 @ 18:34 |
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who ever told you that about not being able to download up dates if your opperating system was a hacked version or not is full of gass and i meen the stinky kind i know at least 20 people that have hacked or unautherised copys of xp or whatever os so that is a bunch of bull
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Moderator
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28. January 2006 @ 02:41 |
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thread teleported to relevant forum
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Senior Member
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28. January 2006 @ 03:16 |
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From where are they obtaining the updates? I have a friend who has XP and wants to update to service pack 2....
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beerlover
Junior Member
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28. January 2006 @ 06:19 |
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My friend came back from a computer convention and the discussion with his peers (which was news to him too) was that in the new Windows updates when you click "yes" you agree to the terms of use.......which nobody reads, barried in it, it says that you agree to allow them to this.
It could all be bull but these guys would know first. We're talking major comp dorks.
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28. January 2006 @ 11:49 |
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They may know computers but I still say BS.
I keep my system up to date, whenever Micro$oft release a patch I install it, and NOTHING has been removed, deleted, uninstalled, or auto removed by them in the process .......... and it never will happen, because it's BS.
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Senior Member
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28. January 2006 @ 12:09 |
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i sure hope it is bs umug.
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Daniel_G
Suspended permanently
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28. January 2006 @ 12:28 |
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It's just another bs internet rumour guys, if microsoft even tried this, they would get sued by so many people they'd still be busy schedulling the court cases in the year 2300 ;)
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Senior Member
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28. January 2006 @ 12:38 |
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I hope so, thats good reasurance Daniel_G but it is posible though unlikely.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28. January 2006 @ 12:39
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Member
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28. January 2006 @ 12:38 |
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I've been Googling and these rumours started in the year 2000 (and perhaps earlier), so it's not exactly up to date news anymore.
Here's one article of many I've found about updating which might be of interest.
Quote:
There are several urban legends about Microsoft recording all the programs installed on your computer and detecting illegal software, copying the programs on your computer, and copying all your private information. These are all not true.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000545.htm
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28. January 2006 @ 12:40
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Senior Member
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28. January 2006 @ 12:42 |
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Ok i think its safe to say its bs now.
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Daniel_G
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28. January 2006 @ 13:15 |
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That urban legend has some truth to it, microsoft does keep records of what programs you run on your pc (mru lists, anyone?) for whatever reasons.
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Member
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28. January 2006 @ 15:24 |
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You got it Daniel. The mru's log all of the Most Recently Used files. MRUBlaster and CrapCleaner will get rid of them tho. I have MRU Blaster running every 15 minutes. MRUBlaster can be obtained here http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/mrublaster.html
Beer is good...and stuff!
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Daniel_G
Suspended permanently
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28. January 2006 @ 15:26 |
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I'll stick to cleaning them out by hand, or using Ad Aware SE to do it.
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Member
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28. January 2006 @ 18:25 |
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Crap Cleaner can make short work of the MRU's as well. Windows is a bit sluggish after a reboot, but it cleans it out quick.
Beer is good...and stuff!
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Member
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28. January 2006 @ 19:08 |
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Quote:
That urban legend has some truth to it, microsoft does keep records of what programs you run on your pc (mru lists, anyone?) for whatever reasons.
IMHO I don't think Micro$oft care about or keep records on your MRU's either.
If they did surely they wouldn't release public information on how to remove them.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=142298
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Daniel_G
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28. January 2006 @ 19:38 |
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Guess what? You might think they don't care much, but they do get the mru lists from your computer from time to time if you don't clean them out, and trust me, they use them, sometimes for good, but also for bad.
(microsucks anti spyware vs msn plus, anyone?)
There might be some people here that are now wondering : how do they retrieve those lists without your consent?
The answer : it's actually very simple.
Whenever you send error reports, customer experience improvement reports (lots of people turn this on in msn/windows messenger because they have no idea), every time you get updates from live update, etc, your computer sends those mru lists to them.
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Member
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29. January 2006 @ 00:04 |
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At the risk of sounding like a Smart Arse Daniel_G, You have of course got proof to back up those allegations, a link to a reputable website would be OK.
I hear of and read many Urban Legends on the Internet and although quite often they are spread by well meaning intelligent people they are still Urban Legends.
I've yet to hear of one person who has been prosecuted or even contacted by Micro$oft on the basis of a few MRU's which may or may not be transmitted, especially as you have already told us they are obtained illegally. Imagine the fun Lawyers would have with that in court ;)
Ad-Aware classifies MRU's as:
Quote:
TAC - MRU List
TAC Level: 0
MRU Lists (Most Recently Used items) store information about the most recently used items, for example files, search words and programs. MRU Lists are not considered to be a threat to your privacy. Ad-Aware supplies you with the ability to remove these MRU lists if you wish to do so.
http://www.lavasoftnews.com/ms/display_main.php?tac=MRU%20List
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Daniel_G
Suspended permanently
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29. January 2006 @ 09:41 |
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Being a smart ass would imply you trying to mess around, you merely asked for evidence/proof, which is just fair ;)
The problems that occured with microsucks antispyware and msn plus where discussed here : http://www.msgplus.net/news_old.php under the title :
"Petition to save messenger plus"
*Reasons weren't given by microsucks on why they all of a sudden started flagging msn plus as spyware (there is only speculation, no tangible evidence i'm affraid) but since it happened after a (then) recent surge of new downloads (which would = new users), one can easily draw his conclusions on why, it could well be they didn't like all their msn users fiddling around with the software *
Also, i am well aware of the fact that MS can't sue anyone on grounds of mru lists, that wasn't the point i was trying to make.
I was trying to get the point across that they do use those lists, and not always with the best intent.
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Member
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29. January 2006 @ 10:30 |
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Thanks for the reply and link Daniel_G.
There was a lot of speculation on the reasoning behind Micro$oft's decisions to list Messenger Plus! as Spyware.
I leaned toward the most accepted theory that the optional 'sponsorship' that bundled with the installation of Messenger Plus! was being detected and flagged as Spyware in error, and Micro$oft being the arrogant pig headed company they are didn't have the guts to admit that they stuffed up.
Unfortunately we'll probably never really know 100% one way or another what really happens, but while cleaning out your MRU's may not achieve anything positive, it certainly won't do any harm :)
However discussions like these help to make users more aware of what is possible, so it is all good.
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Daniel_G
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29. January 2006 @ 11:10 |
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Hey, asking for evidence is what everyone should do when it comes to subjects like these, there are way too many bs rumours circulating that are based purely on speculation.
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