Spyware in Windows XP?

[BSEagle1]

I have heard that Windows XP has some spyware in it simmilar to that contained in Kazaa. Is this true? If so, is there any way to disable it without disabling the whole OS?
Also, is it true that every time you put new hardware in your rig running XP that you have to get an activation code from Microsoft, or fill out a form or something simmilar?

 

[AndyHui]

have heard that Windows XP has some spyware in it simmilar to that contained in Kazaa. Is this true

No. Simply turn off Auto-Updates if it makes you feel better, as some people prefer to manually update things.

Also, is it true that every time you put new hardware in your rig running XP that you have to get an activation code from Microsoft

Not every time. You are given up to something like 5 changes before you need to reactivate by calling a number at Microsoft.

 

[Bulldog13]

Yes, it s true.


http://www.xp-antispy.de/

You have to click on the Brit flag to get the English translation page.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Bulldog13
Yes, it s true.
http://www.xp-antispy.de/
You have to click on the Brit flag to get the English translation page.

No it's NOT true. And Andy, if someone can't even answer this question, don't tell them to turn off AutoUpdate.
Bill

 

[Bulldog13]

So windows XP doesn't send any information to Redmond?

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: BSEagle1
I have heard that Windows XP has some spyware in it simmilar to that contained in Kazaa. Is this true? If so, is there any way to disable it without disabling the whole OS?
Also, is it true that every time you put new hardware in your rig running XP that you have to get an activation code from Microsoft, or fill out a form or something simmilar?

No, it does not have spyware.

XP allows several installs before it asks for you to call for activation.
It also allows hardware changes, but there are some hardware items that
will prompt you for activation sooner. Network cards have been known to
ask for re-activation by itself.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Bulldog13
So windows XP doesn't send any information to Redmond?

XP sends information when you activate, something with a gui that you step thru. No users specific information is sent via Automatic Update. XP's usage doesn't match that of 'spyware'. Spyware; Kazaa installed a seperate background monitoring application by burying the users consent, and that program (according to Brilliant Media) would allow them to remotely control and use the machine (for things such as displaying ads).

Bill

 

[CTho9305]

every third change you make within 120 days requires reactivation. if you only change 2 things every 120 days, no reactivation is required.

 

[Noid]

damn ... that sux ...

I guess playing/exchanging with spare parts is out of the question during a new system build. That s the 1st time I heard of this.
W2K doesnt do that.

Thanks for the warning. I will remember this when building and handing off the PC to my friends.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Noid
damn ... that sux ...

I guess playing/exchanging with spare parts is out of the question during a new system build. That s the 1st time I heard of this.
W2K doesnt do that.

Thanks for the warning. I will remember this when building and handing off the PC to my friends.

But remember, you have 30 days to play around before activation is required. Everytime you install XP you have 30 days again before it dies.

 

[Noid]

acknowledged ... thx

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: woodie1

Originally posted by: Noid
damn ... that sux ...

I guess playing/exchanging with spare parts is out of the question during a new system build. That s the 1st time I heard of this.
W2K doesnt do that.

Thanks for the warning. I will remember this when building and handing off the PC to my friends.

But remember, you have 30 days to play around before activation is required. Everytime you install XP you have 30 days again before it dies.

Or, back up the two files used by activation after your first install, and then after future installs, boot to safe mode and drop in the activated versions of the files. Of course, if you change hardware you'll have to activate, but if it is the same system, you won't need to reactivate. Search google for the files (wpa.dbl or something)

 

[majewski9]

Windows Media player is completly spy ware now a days.

 

[Thor86]

Depends on how you define "spy-ware".