Interesting interaction with Windows OneCare Live

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: David Pollak <dpp () athena com>
Date: June 22, 2006 6:38:55 PM EDT
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Cc: Annette Hurst <annette () lostlake org>
Subject: Interesting interaction with Windows OneCare Live

For IP if you think it's appropriate:

I installed Windows Live OneCare antivirus on my Windows machine.   
OneCare marks a system marks a system as "vulnerable" if you do not  
have automatic updates turned on.

I like to review updates before they are installed.  The only update  
that I have not installed is the latest WGA because of the security  
issues related to it.

I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say,  
"yep, I've got updates turned to manual... it's okay."  The rep said,  
"No and why wouldn't you want to get the latest updates to Windows."

I responded with the issues relating to WGA.  He spent some time  
telling me that WGA was a good thing, etc.  I reiterated that I have  
accepted all the updates except WGA and just want to review the  
updates before they're installed on my machine.

He told me that "in the fall, having the latest WGA will become  
mandatory and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day  
warning and when the 30 days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows  
will stop working, so you might as well install WGA now."

I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows  
functionality or the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my  
legitimate Windows license) if I do not install every piece of  
software that they send it updates.

Needless to say, I've removed Live OneCare.




-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/