Microsoft Update fixes Microsoft spyware?

If you've used windows for any period of time, you've seen the message box pictured above. You've always had the option to press the "Don't Send" button to prevent any of your computers information to be sent to Microsoft.

I have always had a hunch that data was getting sent back and forth without my knowledge and the new update KB930857 from Microsoft may have been a glimpse into the reality.

I came into work this morning and saw that Vista was telling me that new updates are available for my computer. I normally just click and let it go but this morning I was in a more curious mood so I actually opened the updates to see what was inside.

The first update in the list is the subject of this article and it stunned me. Microsoft needs an update to Windows to prevent it from spying on me? The article said that it is a mistake in the DW 2.0 component of Windows that makes it misunderstand if you want that information to be sent to them or not. I know how this stuff works and I can tell you that is blatant smoke and mirrors.

They also said that no personally identifiable information is being sent. That's also a load of crap in my opinion. You'd be surprised how the smallest amount of arbitrary data can identify you on the Internet when combined with other non-personal data gathered from other parts of the same software.

For example, if your name is Steve and I pulled the letter S as part of your name. That doesn't identify you but how about if I pulled each of the letters in the right order over time? Each transfer can be defended as non-personal information but once put together, I have your name. This is a left field example of something that I believe that Microsoft and many other companies take part in every time that you operate using their products.

I'm not a Microsoft basher and I really love Vista (for home use). But I don't store sensitive data on my Vista machine. That is best left for my Kububtu box.