Micro$oft update privacy policy

[Flash Gordon]

Micro$oft update privacy policy:
What data is collected – and why?
Windows Update collects general system information from your computer with each visit, so that you receive the updates that work best with your computer. The information is also used to generate aggregate statistics about how the Windows Update web site is used and which systems need support, so that we can improve our service. This information includes:

Computer make and model
Version information for the operating system, browser, and any other Microsoft software for which updates might be available
Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices
Region and language setting
Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)
Product ID and Product Key
BIOS name, revision number, and revision date

Your Internet Protocol (IP) address is logged when you connect to the Windows Update site, but this address will only be used to generate aggregate statistics.
How is this data used?
Windows Update collects the Product ID and Product Key to confirm that you are running a validly licensed copy of Windows. The Product ID and Product Key collected are not retained after you are finished using Windows Update, unless the Product ID is not valid.

To generate accurate statistics, Windows Update evaluates a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer to uniquely identify it. The GUID does not contain any information that can be used to identify you. A GUID is assigned and tracked in the following cases:

My question is how in the heck does M$ get this information? Is there a "backdoor" in Windows that allows M$ to the get Windows product key, make and model of my PC and BIOS version?

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

Well they designed the software, so why not give themselves the ability to do stuff like that?

It's actually fairly simple when you think about it (that is...if they do it the way I'm thinking of). MS is not actually "looking" at your system, instead, through windows update (or possibly through something built-in to the OS) a program gets on to your computer and basically sends data about your computer back to MS. They're not collecting anything confidential, they're just checking to see if your version of windows is legal, like checking for illegal product keys, or anything related to a legal version of windows. I doubt they're checking to see if non-microsoft products are on your system or looking for download programs like Kazaa/eMule/eDonkey to get the police on your tail, they are just looking out for the guys who are using pirated versions of windows, which I have nothing against. I mean, if you are running a legal version of windows you have nothing to hide, right? MS could get in incredibly serious trouble for doing something illegal like stealing confidential information via their own software, so even though they could, they wouldn't even attempt it. Plus, I think some computer guru would have noticed something like that by now :rolleyes:

If Bill Gates did something like that, he'd have the entire world suing him, and let me tell you...$7 per person on earth is not going to be enough to get himself out of trouble :p (Or is it $8 now??...lol, can't keep track, he makes like $300 a minute)

Eric

[madgett]

If you use a router and hook up a packet sniffer (there are free ones) you can see all the packets that leave your computer. Your cd-key is encrypted though, so you won't be able to recognize it on raw packet sniffer.

I think Bill Gates is worth $1469 per second...heh :p, assuming a Net Worth of $$$$$46.2 Billion :p what a deal...

[Flash Gordon]

Doesn't this kind of seem like it could potentially be a huge security hole? If someone could use the sample principle, they would be a lot of havic. Just imigine the possiblities if someone was able to dupilcate the same process. Yeiks...

[madgett]

XP came out in 2001, so knowing Microsoft with 90% of the OS market, it's been tried 90% * everycomputer * numberofyears = too many to count...heh :p. That's fairly secure, plus all the updates, and it's encrypted so fairly impossible to see. They use standard protocols to send the data so it's not different than visiting a web site on port 80.

[Flash Gordon]

I just love to see an article explaining what is happening? How does the information get transfered?

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

Last time I checked, Bill Gates was worth $64 Billion, yikes :eek: I got to meet him and his dad once, they don't act rich or anything, he's still a child inside, lol :D

[Flash Gordon]

were you the one that hit him with a pie in the face?

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

lol, no. I kinda like Bill Gates, he's a freaking genious :D Had no idea he was even hit in the face with a pie...when did that happen??

I met him at some weird library conference. My dad is the new Colorado State Librarian (http://www.cde.state.co.us/libnewsletter/slcent2005/slcent050605.htm) (about half way down the page, he's on the right...duh...he's the only guy in the photo :rolleyes: ) so he gets to meet a ton of important (not usually popular) people. I almost met Bill Clinton but I never got a chance to talk to him. It was at a big dinner/banquet thingy for libraries but Bill Clinton was sitting at a table about 2 over from mine...I got stuck with the Governor (woo-hoo)

Eric :)

[Flash Gordon]

funny funny:
http://www.bitstorm.org/gates/
watch the video to see Bill get hit with the pie.

That's cool, eric. Sounds like you have gotten to do some very interesting things. Unversity jobs are great for that! All kinds of small perks. It looks like your dad was also a music teacher. That alsome. A very well-rounded person.

(BTW, Sorry to replying so late. I didn't see the new post until now)

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

Oh yeah. He used to (waaaaaayyy back in the day when I couldn't talk, or hear) conduct the marching bands that would play at the football games, I was told that he would take me up on the scaffold where he conducted and I'd have to sit there in my "baby carrier", lol...don't remember it though. We still got a bunch of instruments over our house, he's into the really weird instruments too. He owns a full-size didgeridoo (http://www.didgeridoostore.com/soundsrhythms.html) which he can play, but he's far from an expert :rolleyes:

hehe, that video is pretty funny, but kinda mean... and people wonder why alot of nerds are so mean when they become billionaires. Did they ever catch the guy that did it??

Eric

[Flash Gordon]

I don't know if they caught him or not. If they really wanted to I'm sure they could have His face is right in that pic.

Well...I'm glad to hear you never fell of the scaffold. Ouch :p
You should record the diggerdo playing and post a link sometime. THey are great instruments.

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

True, that guy is clearly visible :)

hehe, maybe I did fall off the scaffold and my parents never told me...I was always considered a bit of a strange child :rolleyes:

Don't know about recording my dad playing the didgeridoo, like I said, he's far from being an expert. It's like saying, "I can play the piano, but I only know how to play 2 notes"...lol...hardly musically inclined if your like that :p

Eric

[Flash Gordon]

Did you notice in the pic the photographer taking the picture as the pie hit in the background? Either that was some uncanny timing or he was in on it too.

[mmm..pi..3.14..]

I think he was in on it... He seemed way to suspicious to be an ordinary photographer. I think he knew what was coming. :D

[Flash Gordon]

I'm trying to update my PC from M$ and I get this screen (pic below). But if I were to click "yes" I'd have know idea what I'm downloading. Has anyone gotten this screen? I really don't want to download sp2 or IE 6.0.2900. I don't know if it is all one big package.

Thanks.
FG.

[madgett]

Yep, I clicked yes. It's basically asking you if they can put an ActiveX control to allow them to install directly onto your computer from the web. It's secure, everything is encrypted.

[Flash Gordon]

So does that mean, it will download sp2 and other stuff automatically, or can I pick and choose like I used to be able to? I really want control over what goes on my computer.

[madgett]

You can have it do it automatically or you can pick and choose when it will do stuff. I have SP2 and it really does keep my comp clean on my ISP network which is swarming with viruses. I recommend upgrading to SP2 and all the updates.

[Flash Gordon]

Kool thanks for the help!
M$ should at least tell me what I'm clicking "yes" to.

[Flash Gordon]

I still hate Billy G and his "Genuine M$ Software" Validator.

Is anyone running sp2 and having any problems with it?
Anyone still on sp1?

[Cota]

I'm running SP2 and I have no problems at all. I've never had a problem with Windows. Then again, I dont get frustrated easily..

[Flash Gordon]

Against all instincts, i updated to sp2. Now how do I turn off the damn windows firewall and get rid of windows security alerts?

[Cota]

It should be an icon in control panel for the firewall.

[Flash Gordon]

ty,

i think i got it now :)