From: "Rich Gauszka" 

I posted this in technoids but it looks like MS is trying to get laws
written that allows them or their cronies authority to scan/infiltrate
computers anytime they wish

http://www.okgazette.com/news/templates/cover.asp?articleid=423&zoneid=7


If you click that "accept" button on the routine user's
agreement, the proposed law would allow any company from whom you bought
upgradable software the freedom to come onto your computer for
"detection or prevention of the unauthorized use of or fraudulent or
other illegal activities in connection with a network, service, or computer
software, including scanning for and removing computer software prescribed
under this act."

That means that Microsoft (or another company with such software) can erase
spyware or viruses. But if you have, say, a pirated copy of Excel -
Microsoft (or companies with similar software) can erase it, or anything
else they want to erase, and not be held liable for it. Additionally, that
phrase "fraudulent or other illegal activities" means they can:

-Let the local district attorney know that you wrote a hot check last month.

-Let the attorney general know that you play online poker.

-Let the tax commission know you bought cartons of cigarettes and didn't pay
the state tax on them.

-Read anything on your hard drive, such as your name, home address, personal
identification code, passwords, Social Security number . etc., etc., etc.

"I think in broad terms that is still a form of spying," said
Marc Rotenberg, attorney and executive director of the Electronic Privacy
Information Center in Washington, D.C. "Some people say, 'Well, it's
justified.' I'm not so clear that should be the case. Particularly if the
reason you are passing legislation is to cover that activity."


"Adam" <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the
field.near the bridge"> wrote in message news:444e99b9$1{at}w3....
> http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/04/microsoft_expands_antipira
cy_p.html
>
> "Microsoft today began expanding its anti-piracy program by quietly
> pushing out a software update that in many cases automatically scans
> Windows computers and reports on whether they are powered by unlicensed
> software.
>
> The "new pilot program" is a fairly broad expansion of Microsoft's
> Windows Genuine Advantage program, under which the anti-piracy check was
> required only for users who wish to download security updates or other
> free programs from Microsoft's site. Under WGA, users who chose to
> receive fixes via Automatic Updates were not prompted to install and run
> the anti-piracy software.
>
> Starting today, however, Windows XP users in the United States who have
> set up automatic security updates will receive the anti-piracy tool.
> After installation and reboot, they may find their computers popping up
> an alert that reads: "This copy of Windows is not genuine; you may be a
> victim of software counterfeiting." Microsoft also is pushing the new
> tool out to auto-update users in Britain, Malaysia, Australia and New
> Zealand."
>
> "Customers who opt in to the pilot and learn they are using non-genuine
> versions of Windows will receive a message during logon that their copy
> of Windows appears to be non-genuine and will be directed to the WGA Web
> site to learn more."
>
> Oh we know who you are & where you are....
>
> You too could be a crim....
>
> Adam

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