Microsoft's spyware problem

If you're running a Microsoft operating system, you've probably been prompted to download the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool recently. You may find it to be a bit less like an advantage than to have it take advantage of you:

Windows Genuine Advantage — the controversial program Microsoft auto-installed as a "critical security update" on many PCs starting on Apr. 25 — not only causes problems for many users but has now been proven to send personally identifiable information back to Redmond every 24 hours.

This behavior clearly fits any plausible definition of "spyware." Some tech writers have said categorizing WGA as spyware is arguable. But I have no hesitation in calling the program a security nightmare that Microsoft should never have distributed in its present form.

Hat tip to Geoff Hart for posting this link to the Tech Writer mailing list.