Thoughts from the abyss

Do you currently trust Microsoft? Have you trusted them in the past? Do you think you can continue to trust them? I think anyone that knows me on a geek level, already knows I don’t trust the software giant. After the recent stunts, I know I don’t ever want to install a Microsoft product at home ever again (not that I have for a long time anyways). What I’m talking about is the news that has finally gotten out lately about their Windows Genuine Advantage tool, a.k.a. spyware in my opinion.

It’s split into two basic pieces. The first checks to see if the copy of Windows installed is legit or not. The second part notifies the user about it, if indeed the copy is illegal. It locks down access to updates if the copy is not legal, as well. According to everything I’ve been reading, the program has actually been going on since 2004. It only became mandatory in July of 2005, that is if you wanted to continue getting updates to the products. Now that itself doesn’t really sound too awful, but here’s where it turns sour.

Since July of 2005, every instance of the WGA tool you and I installed, a daily check-in to Microsoft’s servers has been taking place. Why on Earth would this need to occur? That’s a question that is being raised all over the place. I’m asking it myself. One of my favorite authors to read about tech related items, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols brings up the very topic too. He raises some interesting points I might add. Things like what exactly are they doing checking in every single day…something they failed to mention before. Are they collecting information of users? Do you trust them to not access personal information on your PC at home if you’re running Windows? I sure as hell don’t, that’s why I run Linux.

The software monopoly seems to be just squeezing yet more options away from folks with these kinds of stunts. For now, I’m refusing to install the WGA package on PC’s at work. I’m guessing there was an update to something, thus the reason for the software update, but until they take away the right to apply the critical patches, I won’t install it. I personally would suggest others do the same, but most have systems set up to download and install updates automatically. If that’s the case, then it’s already installed and there isn’t much you can do about it. If memory serves me right, I believe I read somewhere that you can’t uninstall the software after it’s applied. Please don’t quote me on that one though, just seems to stick in my mind that’s the case. As Steven says in the link I provided, I’m glad I’m running Linux on my desktops too.

Whatever the case, I know one thing for sure. With more and more personal information of mine flying across the wires as we continue to evolve into the cyber world, I’m absolutely protective of my information in it’s digital form…as you should be too. There is way too much theft in the world today, to not think securely of any and all information stored on your computers. Of course, dropping Windows would be a big step in the correct direction.