Zeus_Hunt Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users' knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.Many companies require testing of patches before they are widely installed, and businesses in this situation are objecting to the stealth patching. In recent days, Windows Update (WU) started altering files on users' systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. The only files that have been reportedly altered to date are nine small executables on XP and nine on Vista that are used by WU itself. Microsoft is patching these files silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.It's surprising that these files can be changed without the user's knowledge. The Automatic Updates dialog box in the Control Panel can be set to prevent updates from being installed automatically. However, with Microsoft's latest stealth move, updates to the WU executables seem to be installed regardless of the settings — without notifying users. When users launch Windows Update, Microsoft's online service can check the version of its executables on the PC and update them if necessary. What's unusual is that people are reporting changes in these files although WU wasn't authorized to install anything. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users' knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.Many companies require testing of patches before they are widely installed, and businesses in this situation are objecting to the stealth patching. In recent days, Windows Update (WU) started altering files on users' systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. The only files that have been reportedly altered to date are nine small executables on XP and nine on Vista that are used by WU itself. Microsoft is patching these files silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.It's surprising that these files can be changed without the user's knowledge. The Automatic Updates dialog box in the Control Panel can be set to prevent updates from being installed automatically. However, with Microsoft's latest stealth move, updates to the WU executables seem to be installed regardless of the settings — without notifying users. When users launch Windows Update, Microsoft's online service can check the version of its executables on the PC and update them if necessary. What's unusual is that people are reporting changes in these files although WU wasn't authorized to install anything.View: Original ArticleIs there a way to block any/all connections to M$ at firewall level? ThanksJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anteus Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Maybe that's why many security feautures on my vista ultimate went on, like: UAC, Security Center.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 M$ shit stinks twice as much. I always understood: if you buy something you own it and do what you want to do with it. Imagine GM or Ford or any automotive Co. Tweaking your car, without your consent, for years after you bought it. :rolleyes: John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeuZ Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Not twice, they infinitelly sucks... This is unaceptable and remarks even more my choice of being using debian for a while now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
einstürzende Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
einstürzende Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iambignasty Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Does anyone know what exactly was changed? er Updated?As I did not notice anything different on my Vista machines...Thanks,IamBigNasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 Does anyone know what exactly was changed? er Updated?As I did not notice anything different on my Vista machines...Thanks,IamBigNastyRead here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dock98 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 gee whiz,is anybody surprised by this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q Can Fix IT Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 not surprised at all. and to be extra cool they probably covertly added a provision for the permission to do it on one of the usual dialog boxes most of us take for granted, just in case anyone has thoughts of a class action lawsuit. however if it can be proven that they did this without at least doing that, or before they did that, like hey Q thanks for the Idea kinda thing (DOH!), then that should be enough for a legal case against them...i'm sure lots of judges would not be happy that their computers have been updated without their permission or in violation of any contracts or EULAsI'm just sayin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cer0 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 But they did mention that this would happen to pirated copies of Vista eventually. I remember reading about it a long time ago. This is really no surprise to me. But as always give it time and it will be fixed by hackers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
print1 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 hey bro, thnkz! do you know if it would also run those updates on a machine that uses dual boot and hav windows as a second boot OS?thnkz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anteus Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Ify your boot into it then yes, if you don't boot it up i don't think it would update... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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