2000 w/ SP3 now MS SpyWare :( (Updated)

Poontos

Platinum Member
Mar 9, 2000
2,799
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0
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=4729

I looked around to see if anyone else posted, but could not find in OS, so here you go!

The bottom part of the story will be of most interest!


----------------------------------
Update:

Maybe not as bad as it sounds... from WinInfo:

* SP3 LICENSING CONTROVERSY IS NO CONTROVERSY
This week, an uninformed complaint about the Win2K SP3 End User
License Agreement (EULA) is making the rounds, spreading some
mistruths about information Microsoft is allegedly collecting after
you install the patch. According to the complaint, the SP3 EULA gives
Microsoft the right to collect your OS version number and Product
Identification number, IE version number, other software's version
numbers, and hardware devices' plug-and-play ID numbers. The complaint
says this action is sneaky, underhanded, and any number of adjectives
you'd care to add to the list. The truth, as ever, is far less
fascinating. First, the system passes this information to Windows
Update so that the service can provide the correct product updates for
your system. But the EULA clearly states that the OS doesn't save this
information or pass it along to Microsoft. "Windows Update does not
collect your name, address, email address, or any other form of
personally identifiable information," the EULA reads. "The
configuration information collected is used only for the period of
time that you are visiting the site and is not saved."
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
13,141
16
81
Bah. It's the same thing as what they have in Windows XP.

Find it under the new Control Panel applet Automatic Updates. Turn it off.

Yes, I actually read the EULA, and this was exactly what I was expecting. No surprises, and very easily resolved.
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
0
0
Originally posted by: Poontos
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=4729

I looked around to see if anyone else posted, but could not find in OS, so here you go!

The bottom part of the story will be of most interest!

""The OS Product or OS Components contain components that enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may automatically check the version of the OS Product and/or its components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades or fixes to the OS Product that will be automatically downloaded to your computer."

LoL, it absolutely amazes me that people will agree to this. But undoubtably, the vast majority will.

Did it occur to anybody else that they've just announced a gaping backdoor in hte OS? Wait until that gets cracked...
 

mrlayance

Senior member
Jul 11, 2002
366
0
0
Along the same lines.

"With the latest version of Windows Update (essentially a mandatory download
and now part of SP3) you consent to sending the following information to
Microsoft:

* Operating-system version number and Product Identification number
* Internet Explorer version number
* Version numbers of other software
* Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices

This is stated in the "Windows Update Privacy Statement" which you can read
at You can also
follow the "About Windows Update" link off the WindowsUpdate page. Don't
bother trying to right-click, they've made sure to disable that."

right..... Glad they trust us there paying customers.
 

Poontos

Platinum Member
Mar 9, 2000
2,799
0
0
Originally posted by: AndyHui
Bah. It's the same thing as what they have in Windows XP.

Find it under the new Control Panel applet Automatic Updates. Turn it off.

Yes, I actually read the EULA, and this was exactly what I was expecting. No surprises, and very easily resolved.
I did notice the addition of the auto updates, which I shut down as soon as I saw it. Sneaky little buggers.

My guess is: the exchange of information is not done just through Auto Updates, but by other means.

Who has the time and wants to take the honour of setting up a packet sniffer and see what those wankers at MS are getting.

"LoL, it absolutely amazes me that people will agree to this. But undoubtably, the vast majority will."

Picture a corporation with 1000 Win2K Pro desktops, the decision becomes much more difficult to resist if you were planning
a major SP3 deployment.

I.T. life must go on...

"Did it occur to anybody else that they've just announced a gaping backdoor in hte OS? Wait until that gets cracked..."

If you gave some specifics, it sure would help!



 

Poontos

Platinum Member
Mar 9, 2000
2,799
0
0
Maybe not as bad as it sounds... from WinInfo:

* SP3 LICENSING CONTROVERSY IS NO CONTROVERSY
This week, an uninformed complaint about the Win2K SP3 End User
License Agreement (EULA) is making the rounds, spreading some
mistruths about information Microsoft is allegedly collecting after
you install the patch. According to the complaint, the SP3 EULA gives
Microsoft the right to collect your OS version number and Product
Identification number, IE version number, other software's version
numbers, and hardware devices' plug-and-play ID numbers. The complaint
says this action is sneaky, underhanded, and any number of adjectives
you'd care to add to the list. The truth, as ever, is far less
fascinating. First, the system passes this information to Windows
Update so that the service can provide the correct product updates for
your system. But the EULA clearly states that the OS doesn't save this
information or pass it along to Microsoft. "Windows Update does not
collect your name, address, email address, or any other form of
personally identifiable information," the EULA reads. "The
configuration information collected is used only for the period of
time that you are visiting the site and is not saved."
 

stash

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2000
5,468
0
0
* Operating-system version number and Product Identification number
* Internet Explorer version number
* Version numbers of other software
* Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices

You all do realize that the OS info and brower info are collected by virtually everyweb server out there. You have a slight beef with version numbers of other software, but what do you care if someone knows your P and P ID numbers?

People need to realize that, on the Internet, there is no such thing as privacy...There is no such thing as complete privacy anywhere. Think about all the organizations (banks, your employer, etc) that know your address, phone, and maybe even social security # . There isnt anything stopping an unscrupulous employee at your bank from stealing your identity. The only way to get complete privacy is to become a hermit and never have any interaction with anyone.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
0
0
You all do realize that the OS info and brower info are collected by virtually everyweb server out there.

You do realize that's all optional and can be spoofed easily, right?

You have a slight beef with version numbers of other software, but what do you care if someone knows your P and P ID numbers?

Because they know what hardware I'm using now, which can be tracked to my IP to my ISP and to me. Personally I don't really care, it's the fact that they're taking it without asking that bothers me.
 

JellyBaby

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
9,159
1
81
Find it under the new Control Panel applet Automatic Updates. Turn it off.
I have that option disabled. Windows XP, when it first boots, always transmits some information to some internet location. The offending EXE is something related to the system "generic host process" or some such. Is it reporting back to base?