Windows Update's Sneaky Updates

eWeek Microsoft Watch had a second article which I added to the post.   

From what I've read at your top link, it would appear what is happening is that WU is updating it's own WU files ...something it checks for and updates [as necessary] every time you go to the MS [update] website anyway.

From the second link you provided:

"The files that are being updated are part of the Windows Update client itself. Windows Update automatically updates itself from time to time to ensure that it is running the most current technology, so that it can check for updates and notify customers that new updates are available. This is normal behavior, and it has worked this way since the service debuted several years ago."

I think that with all this recent talk of 'stealth' updates and 'black screens of death' ...the paranoid are coming out of the woodwork.

Bottom line is: "If you have a genuine copy of Windows, what have you got to fear?"

Personally, I couldn't give two hoots about what MS does with updates. I have a genuine copy of V.U. ...and if MS busts it with an update [stealth or not] I can prove that I am the licenseholder, and hold MS in good faith that if they break my windows, they'll make good on fixing it.

Tinfoil hat, anybody?

Thanks for your reply Erk. I agree with you that folks that do have genuine software shouldn't have any worry. Like yourself I have nothing to worry about.

Is this more of a problem with Vista or across the board with Microsoft software?

The update violation can be IT nightmare. ALl updates must be tested, especially if you got a suite of 10 year old programs that won't work if you look at them wrong.

I'm glad I don't work as IT admin at this time.

The story of the Black Screen of Death is, by some peoples thinking, only a hoax. If that is so, then can any of the leaks, as they are proported to be, be considered fact vs fiction or some scare tactic?  

I'm not concerned about those sneaky WGA updates, etc...what pisses me off are the sneaky updates to spider solitaire that make the game that much harder to get out. I swear one game I gave up on had too many sixes and eights....not enough kings and aces.

I have a genuine copy of XP....but when I reinstalled it I went through hell after WGA flagged it as a pirate copy and then having explaining this to the boneheads at microsoft. Eventually it got worked out...but I shouldn't have to go through that crap.

I agree !!!!

MS needs to focus more on the A holes that sneak in spyware and all That other stuff.
ok the Government needs to put an end to all the Spyware.

Perfect example: on a few models of computers, when SP2 is installed, the video drivers go south. It's not a big deal on a single computer, but can you imagine the nightmare if you came in to find 500-1000 computers with fried video drivers because of stealth updates?

exactly. I see no harm in this at all. My copies are genuine.



I've seen this also, hence my response in the original post which Philly made reference too in this one..   



SP2 is not a "stealth" update. One must choose to install it, unless of course you have WU set to auto install criticals. I shudder to think that a business with 500-1000 computers would do this.

A large network, if the network admin has any competency, will have an alternate method of patch management that would stop this "stealth update" process. As the articles mention, WSUS and SUS did not roll out this update.



Pretty much sums it up..

Only if you dont mind anyone just waltzing into your house unannounced whenever they feel like it.

True. My point is, though, updates can be problematic. While this is not the norm, it DOES happen.

I download my updates and install them later. It gives me time to find out what the bugs are because, when there are bugs I'm the first to hear about them. IE7 is a great example of this. While IE7 runs wonderfully now, there were problems when it first issued. Problems that were patched and are fortunately no longer an issue. But problems that were sufficient enough for me to not want it running on my computer.

Oddly enough, nobody seems to be concerned about the security potential for someone able to exploit the code that allows stealth updates. The consensus seems to be that we're all criminals, paranoid we'll be "found out" about our pirated software. The issues, for me at least, revolve around software compatibility and security issues. It's just another reason to like Linux even more, as far as I'm concerned.

For a while it was. Until Microsoft stopped being knee jerk and started scheduling them.

I'll wager you'd be amazed just how many people have that right...

I'll wager you'd be amazed just how few...

Some may claim that right, doesn't mean they HAVE it!

However, the "house" analogy is not entirely valid, as Microsoft has reminded us for sometime that we don't actually OWN Windows.

Just like the old Ma Bell, "You're free to go somewhere else!"

Appreciate everyone who has replied. Thank you.   

Now go off and do something with the family!   

Can't. Still have 3 hours, 41 minutes till quittin' time!

LOL!

Ooooh, I'm going to tell, wasting time on the computer for personal reasons!!!!!!!          

umm, testing Internet connectivity!

Yeah, that's it. If the connection goes down, I'll be the first to know!

Okay, that works for me!!!