Microsoft, the software giant that a lot of people love to hate, is now accused with placing spyware on machines using Windows XP operating system in order to make sure that there are no pirated copies out there. Microsoft is doing this through the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) package that the users download as a part of the critical security updates that MS issues regularly. The users are asked to give their consent to a rather complicated contract that most users (of course) do not read in full or even when they do, they do not understand all the fine print legalese involved. The critics claim that the WGA software, no matter what it is called by MS, is technically nothing more than a spyware since every time a user boots his/her machine it sends very detailed information about not only the operating system itself but even (allegedly) about the serial number of the users hard disk. Why should Microsoft verify my hard disk number every time I start my machine? Did they buy my hard disk? What if I want to change my hard disk? Should I get Microsofts permission in order not to jeopardize my XPs legal status? is a complaint heard on some of the blogs criticizing the Microsoft for the intrusive software. There are a lot of MS users out there who do not like the fact that MS treats them guilty until proven innocent when it comes to Windows XP ownership. ------------------------------------------------------- |
