Is Microsoft Changing Computer Files Without Permission?
An interesting article by Gregg Keizer mentioned the possibility that Microsoft was updating files on computers running XP and Vista, even when the automatic update feature was disabled.
“Windows Secrets” editor, Scott Dunn, said that nine files in XP and Vista were changed by Windows Update without the usual permission dialog box. Event logs from some of the computers showed that the stealth updates started on Aug. 24, while the log of one of Dunn’s personal machines showed that the updated happened just this week.
The changed files on Vista were wuapi.dll, wuapp.exe, wuauclt.exe, wuaueng.dll, wucltux.dll, wudriver.dll, wups.dll, wups2.dll and wuwebv.dll.
On Windows XP with SP2, the updated files were cdm.dll, wuapi.dll, wuauclt.exe, wuaucpl.cpl, wuaueng.dll, wucltui.dll, wups.dll, wups2.dll, and wuweb.dll.
Windows Secrets will be offering more details in the coming days.
Is this true? Maybe. Spooky? Very.
Technorati Tags: Tech News, Microsoft Windows Update
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September 14th, 2007 03:03
Yep! With DRM, Microsoft had what is known as subset-key revocation. This is where they could reach inside a vista pc and neuter it if they thought you tried to crack the AES encryption on a DVD (or play a bootleg).
They do have the power to look inside your computer at anything they want. I wont be going to the vista os, EVER. Luckily they have to keep up xp for a while. I don’t like that
September 14th, 2007 05:30
@Bobby:
Yeah .. I knew there was a good reason why I didn’t switch to Vista haha
September 14th, 2007 11:41
I don’t think that will be of any harm to our PC. It’s just for our PC’s security. As long as they change only “update files”, there is nothing to worry about.
September 14th, 2007 18:12
@Haris:
That’s true in a way. It’s the fact that they can that’s spooky
September 14th, 2007 23:03
It does sound a bit spooky but i hope it is not true .
September 15th, 2007 02:10
@Madhur:
Me too buddy.
September 15th, 2007 17:06
It is a breach in the privacy of people. Microsoft has no right to edit files stores on the computer of a user. No matter what the files contains, only the Federal Authority of a country can do so.
Armand Rousso
http://internet.armandrouss.biz/
September 15th, 2007 17:08
True Mr. Armand Rousso. Only government can edit information on a computer of someone without permission for security purposes. They are
.
September 15th, 2007 17:21
@Armand:
I agree.
@Brian:
I just hope they stay away from my music collection
September 17th, 2007 04:56
I don’t think even a government should have that authority!
Is this true? Do governments have the right to come in, look and even alter stuff?