The latest Spyware: Windows Update??

[Skyclad1uhm1]

No comment yet from Microsoft

I think it claims not to send _personal_ information, but doesn't claim not to send information on all the hard-/software you have.

Care to enlighten us on the matter, Ameesh?

 

[Aves]

Damn, I was only able to read half the article because they charge for complete access but I did see enough to make me wonder WTF is going on.

 

[BatmanNate]

Although I have some distaste for Microsoft's ideas as for as personal information innovations, I detest the Inquirer even more.

 

[NogginBoink]

Okay, reality check here:

In order for the Windows Update engine to know what updates are appropriate for your system, it has to send some kind of list of installed software to Microsoft, right?

I mean, it doesn't take much brainpower to figure that one out, does it?

I'm not saying that MS isn't sending other data, but it's obvious that they have to send *some* kind of data to Windows Update...

 

[Alternex]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Okay, reality check here:

In order for the Windows Update engine to know what updates are appropriate for your system, it has to send some kind of list of installed software to Microsoft, right?

I mean, it doesn't take much brainpower to figure that one out, does it?

I'm not saying that MS isn't sending other data, but it's obvious that they have to send *some* kind of data to Windows Update...

Not necessarily.. You can have the server send the client a list of all the possible updates for that particular OS (the OS can be checked easily). Then the client can figure out which of those updates it already has and which it needs to download. I'm not saying that's how it's done or that it's even efficient, but using this method keeps your info private

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Alternex

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Okay, reality check here:

In order for the Windows Update engine to know what updates are appropriate for your system, it has to send some kind of list of installed software to Microsoft, right?

I mean, it doesn't take much brainpower to figure that one out, does it?

I'm not saying that MS isn't sending other data, but it's obvious that they have to send *some* kind of data to Windows Update...

Not necessarily.. You can have the server send the client a list of all the possible updates for that particular OS (the OS can be checked easily). Then the client can figure out which of those updates it already has and which it needs to download. I'm not saying that's how it's done or that it's even efficient, but using this method keeps your info private

I'm pretty sure that's how it works. That's why you have to download the active x component for winupdate. It analyzes what you have locally and then requests whichever updates you need.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Beau

Originally posted by: Alternex

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
Okay, reality check here:

In order for the Windows Update engine to know what updates are appropriate for your system, it has to send some kind of list of installed software to Microsoft, right?

I mean, it doesn't take much brainpower to figure that one out, does it?

I'm not saying that MS isn't sending other data, but it's obvious that they have to send *some* kind of data to Windows Update...

Not necessarily.. You can have the server send the client a list of all the possible updates for that particular OS (the OS can be checked easily). Then the client can figure out which of those updates it already has and which it needs to download. I'm not saying that's how it's done or that it's even efficient, but using this method keeps your info private

I'm pretty sure that's how it works. That's why you have to download the active x component for winupdate. It analyzes what you have locally and then requests whichever updates you need.

I'm very interested in how this turns out when more people start checking it. Hell, Microsoft could take over webcams and snoop into peoples lives and 99% of the users wouldn't switch to another OS.

 

[BillGates]

Yet another reason not to use WinXP. (the fact that it SUCKS is the #1 reason)

 

[ElFenix]

eh, i figured they were sending more than they said a long time ago

 

[dahunan]

Most anyone with a broadband connection has a hard IP that identifies them by residence address also and as the person paying for the access... 😉 So.. "Everywhere you go ... there you are" 😛

 

[kmac1914]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Yet another reason not to use WinXP. (the fact that it SUCKS is the #1 reason)

New advertising campaign, Bill?
😛