Microsoft launched the WGA tool on April 24, 2006 as part of its Genuine Software Initiative intended to fight the prevelant piracy of the company's software. The program consists of two major components: WGA Validation and WGA Notifications. Once installed, the former checks whether a copy of Windows XP is licensed and it can't be removed unless you follow some instructions on the Web that teaches you to do that.
Now, Microsoft has changed a feature found in its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) software after receiving complaints about the program's daily check-ins with the company's servers. Now, the tool will dial home in 14-day intervals instead of after every system boot.
Microsoft's handling of the software's distribution has also raised eyebrows. People who have signed up to automatically receive updates for Windows XP have reported receiving notification of a "critical" security update that doesn't say it includes Windows Genuine Advantage until the download process begins.
The frequency of the tool's contact with Microsoft was initially reported by Lauren Weinstein, cofounder of People for Internet Responsibility and noticed that even on Windows XP systems that WGA already had verified as legitimate, the tool will attempt to contact Microsoft every time the PC is booted.
When Windows Genuine Advantage software is Spyware
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