News Built-in Vista probing tools exposed

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/07/03/built-in_vista_probing_tools_exposed/1

If you thought Windows Genuine Advantage was your biggest concern after installing Windows Vista, you might want to think again after reading this.

 

thats not good i would like a further insight into exactly what is recorded if its just browsing habits im not that bothered (still not exactly happy) but if its more detailed stuff like whether i use DVDdecrypter or clonecd or BitTorrent(which i dont BTW) i would be vry pissed

 

Which is exactly what I will do. (Or don't do - i.e. don't do the installing ... whatever ...)

First game I want to play that only runs on Vista - remains to be seen if the game will be worth the 300€ I'll have to pay to get Vista.

-btb-

 

I'm using Vista Ultimate atm, and it works ok for me, but i was already thinking of reverting back to good old linux. This just helped me make up my mind

I think it's kinda rude from M$ to collect the data and not tell the users about it... if i paid for my copy of vista i would have tried to get my money back (i'm using a legit copy through work).

 

You realize of course, it goes a little deeper than that?
XP so far doesn't have any phone-home malware, other than WGA, which I have consistently refused to let updater download.
So, with a combination of XP and Linux, I'll keep going till I work up the courage to switch entirely to a Linux based OS.
By the way, does anyone know whether Splash Damage is doing a Linux release for ET:QW?


H.B.

 

What is wrong with MS getting the data? it is all your fault for not reading the EULA anyhoo But really, what do you think they willl do with all this data, other than patch/release Service packs based on all this data.. so in the long run it helps your experience.

 

excerpt

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I don't think they're doing anything unreasonable here (tbh imho rofl).
They say that they can, but that they won't unless required by law.

People seem to forget that they as individuals are not interesting to the authorities unless they do something they shouldn't.

 

slip of the fingers, thanks

 

We need a "sigh of grim inevitability" smiley.

 

Microsoft start to be idiot and rude... I really Don't know why they do that... I will back to my XP SP2 and sell my Vista... Idiot company

 

Woooohhh scary.... and now?

Will vista stop working? nope.
Will you get more spammail then you allready getting? Probably, but you will never know if it was vista's datacolllecting that causes it.
Will you get a letter from microsoft with the stats they collected from you? nope
Does it do anything at all to make your usage of vista uncomfortable? Nope


And i can say that vista collects and send 2000 different items to microsoft. But i dont know what it is and when its done.


Come on! this is useless information.

 

Your first statement attempts to ridicule those that care about their privacy.
Following statements prove that all you care about is:

Will Vista stop working?
Will I get more spam?
Will I be contacted by Microsoft to show me the info they collected.
Will Vista be made uncomfortable for me?

You sound like you're desperately trying to justify the amount you spent on Vista.
It's intrusive, and people have become desensitized to invasions of their privacy.
They simply say it's in the EULA, and that it's your fault for not reading it.


H.B.

 

so MS does not know who i am and has no way to find me but:

making the above null and void, how the hell can they use data against you if they do not know who you are?

 

Any one know what ports it connects on?

 

Try Wireshark or Kismet.


H.B.

 

And how would youl know what information thats being collected is useless. Remember that about a year before Vista was released, when it was unvieled, Microsoft announced that they have been working closely with security services to make the Operating System a lot "Safer". Chances are there are parts of malware that collect information on everything that you do, view and create that could be for the Security Services.

I hated when Microsoft announced this as they know their product is used worldwide, and having security services from 1 Country (USA) is possibly the worst idea theyve had... and we all know theyve had a few. Anyway, we all know what the American Government thinks about net neutrality.

Also the bit about the EULA statement, could that cause a legal quagmire.... seeing as they say one thing in it, and then later contradict themselves?

 

I also wonder what this would do on the performance if you could switch all these collectors of. Becuase more then 60 collectors, that doesnt sound like they wont use any resources to me. *naughty naughty microsoft*

 

Even though we're living in a world wherein digital autonomy is so passé, monitoring your customers is really unnecessary. It would be nice to simply check a box to disable all of it. This is also an even bigger reason for Vista to continue to be ignored in the enterprise environment (*big* money in licensing there) for fear of security. If users are so compelled to contribute to Megasoft's user activity feedback database, then they will do so at will, and just check the "yes" box if it will be made an option--so much for choice in an opinion-driven digital society, eh?

I hope Vista grasps my vista of it crashing and burning.

 

It doesn't matter what Microsoft is doing with that data... the fact is that they don't tell the buyer that they are using 67 programs in total to get that information from you.

Which, in my book, is a direct "attack" on your privacy.

 

I don't see what the big deal is, software companies havebeen doing this for years. This is nothing new to IT.