KB940510 - Microsoft’s anal probe
Friday, February 29th, 2008- It won’t hurt, I promise.
- But you are invading my privacy!
- Not at all, it is just a probe, it is not like if I used my bare hand or such. This red light will tell me if there is something shitty inside your computer. That’s all.
- Should I take your word for it? What about source code to backup your claims? Your probe runs with administrator rights and it can do anything.
- I don’t think so.
- I do not want it!
- Well, then we’ll wait till you change your mind. Isn’t waiting fine when we already have your money?
The facts
Few days ago, the automatic updater in Vista notified me about new update being available. Because I know that keeping the system up-to-date is crucial when fighting viruses (this is especially true if you do not have a firewall in your modem), I have checked the update immediately. To my astonishment, all the other updates that were previously available for installation, were gone.
The only thing left was KB940510. I usually don’t do that, but this time I have checked its description: “…enable Vista to detect software that bypasses activation…”. So, nothing useful, just 3MB of junk that is going to search through my XXX files. Why is it called an update?
I thought that maybe the disappearance of the other updates was just a glitch, but I do not think so anymore. They have appeared right after I gave up and installed this useless update. Now I am officially probed. What a shame.
The moral
Still, things could be worse, but not much worse. This probe was disguised as an update, but at least the description was telling the truth (hopefully).
It also demonstrates that Microsoft takes the fight with pirates seriously and they will use any methods in enforcing their rights. Each action like this only lowers the user experience of the paying customers, because it shows to them that they do not really own their OS, they are just allowed to use it. If they behave.
In the end, what is the point? Pirates will find a way around it anyway.
It is my belief that the problem of software piracy can not be solved by technological means. It is a social problem and must be solved as such. I am a shareware author and there are cracks and serial number generators for my applications. It does not bother me (much), the people who choose to pay did so, because they found the applications useful and the price adequate. And that is the right way.
BTW, do you know about the (under development) Windows alternative? The ReactOS.