Microsoft: WGA Calls Home Daily

[Osiris]

Microsoft Corp. acknowledged Wednesday that it needs to better inform users that its tool for determining whether a computer is running a pirated copy of Windows also quietly checks in daily with the software maker.

The company said the undisclosed daily check is a safety measure designed to allow the tool, called Windows Genuine Advantage, to quickly shut down in case of a malfunction. For example, if the company suddenly started seeing a rash of reports that Windows copies were pirated, it might want to shut down the program to make sure it wasn't delivering false results.

"It's kind of a safety switch," said David Lazar, who directs the Windows Genuine Advantage program.

Lazar said the company added the safety measure because the piracy check, despite widespread distribution, is still a pilot program. He said the company was worried that it might have an unforeseen emergency that would require the program to terminate quickly. Also mentioned is that the company would tweak the program soon so that it only phones up Microsoft every two weeks.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060607...Ip7roidcYMjtBAF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

 

[Osiris]

An article over at Microsoft-Watch has been posted about what Windows Genuine Advantage is all about. In short it was mentioned that the first time you run the WGA validation check, Microsoft's servers collect the following information:

The Windows XP product key, PC Manufacturer, Operating system version, PC BIOS information and User locale setting and language.

In the past WGA pinged your system everyday to see if your notifications are running, not if you're valid. This changed on June 8th where it now pings your system every 14 days. According to Microsoft, no identifying system or user information is sent to Microsoft as part of this check.

http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1974864,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535