Microsoft's WGA(windows genuine advantage program) has raised more than a few eyebrows.When I first came across this news I was literally shocked that this issue hasnt gained needed attention.When Google is suing Microsoft over its MSN search default why no such antitrust suite has been filed against Microsoft bemuses me..

Ok let me explain what the real problem is , Microsofts Genuine advantage program which requires you to install an activex to verify ur Windows installation(to find pirated versions), calls back home (fancy word the online community coined for this issue) ie ur windows contacts Microsoft server everytime you start your machine.Though Microsoft says it collects no personal info, what shocks many is that this practice of microsoft has come out only after a year(since july 2005), until now no antispyware softwares or companies could detect this beahavior and Microsoft hasnt given an option for opting out of this problem.Only after a popular techie's blog exposing this issue Microsoft issued an statement in this regard.Microsoft gives a funny reason that in case if their validation tool fails and starts giving false positives, this approach will help them to shutdown the WGA program..

Now after much controversy Microsoft says that their sw wont call home everytime you rebot , well now only once in 14 days.. my question is if I have validated my software once what is the need for verifying after that??

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K J Dinesh, kj.dinesh@gmail.com , +919940392919

Zero day attack...

According to eWeek, there is a critical flaw in Microsoft Word that is being leveraged successfully to compromise fully patched Windows systems. The issue is designated as a zero-day attack because individuals responsible for the security incident are taking advantage of a flaw that was previously unknown.

Victims, it is reported, receive an e-mail that appears legitimate with an enclosed Word document. Once opened, the Word document launches a Trojan-like program that opens a back door into the affected system. Also troubling is the fact that neither the corrupt attachment nor the malware that it executes are currently being detected by anti-virus products. For all intents and purposes, attackers can gain full control of a compromised system using the method described in the article.

As there is currently no patch for the vulnerability being exploited, the recommended course of action for both home and corporate users is to be vigilant and reject any unexpected e-mail messages with Word attachment, even if they appear to come from legitimate sources.

It seems Microsoft is working on this and may release a patch on 13 jun 2006.But Antivirus vendors may introduce new updates much sooner.

Microsoft still the best..??

Well Even I have said about so many things about how Google is developing to be a biggie..But some industry analysts chuck away saying we’ll see how well Google matches with Biggies like Microsoft and Yahoo.

Their theory is not far fetched one rather they juz smoke out the facts.Google is showing attrocious growth and the stock’s value in NASDAQ is shooting up even people expect it to reach 2000$ (???) thats real Faaaaar fetched atleast for now.

One fact about Google’s income was missed by many,most of its current burgeoning account is from Google’s Adsense program or rather from the google ads you find in every nook and corner of the internet.Analysts feel that unlike Microsoft or Yahoo the regular software and web giants,Google has a long way to go.Google has been successful with Search service and all its products are also very popular juz because of the search service.But its revenues are from very much the unsung segements like ads and sponsors.Google has very few to show in terms of profits from its products. And though Google leads in search business by along way Microsoft(33% in email) and Yahoo(31% in email) are still the best No1 and 2 terms of email and chat services(yahoo 1 and MS 2) whereas Gmail accounts for juz 8%.Google is all about innovation but after sometime everyone will like to have a share of your innovation.Just the way it happened to Apple and Sony.If Google doesnt learn to play the game like Microsoft ..the bubble may break much sooner….