I for one have never been a supporter of the Windows Genuine Advantage program. I have concerns about any background process that reports on my system, no matter where it comes from. I have greater concerns if that program has the ability to alter my system should it malfunction. It seems that those concerns were warranted, as a 19 hour “server-issue” wreaked havoc on legitimate users of Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. Their systems were incorrectly identified as counterfeit. What this means is that they have three days to re-validate their systems before Windows is switched to Reduced Functionality Mode. In reduced functionality mode they will only have access to Internet Explorer, and only for an hour at a time.

While I would not go as far as calling WGA malware, it certainly acts like it. Counterfeit software costs makers inestimable amounts of money, but the fight against counterfeit software should not affect end users. Why should legitimate users have to install software that can effectively cripple their systems in the event of a malfunction? What of the vast numbers of users who have limited computer literacy, who will not know how to deal with this issue properly? Microsoft is keeping mum on the amount of systems that were affected by the service outage. It is the first time something like this has happened, will it be the last?

Source: Computerworld, David Yin’s Blog (Image)

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