WGA adds a blank startup entry

Discussion in 'other security issues & news' started by Mrkvonic, May 7, 2006.

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  1. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    I tried the new Big Brother WGA thingie on some of the pcs. Worked flawlessly except ...
    I noticed an empty string (blank) entry in the startup.
    For instance:
    Proxomitron, a little checkbox near it, then a path to registry.
    ZoneAlarm firewall, a little checkbox near it, then a path to registry.
    But then:
    A blank field, no name - path to the registry.
    Has anyone noticed this one? HJT does not show it up.
    Comments, please.
    Mrk

    P.S. Also there is no uninstall for WGA ...
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2006
  2. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    No opinions?
    Mrk
     
  3. SpikeyB

    SpikeyB Registered Member

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    From looking at the sites that explain how to disable it they don't mention removing a startup registry entry. It seems to start via Winlogon notify. Is the blank entry definitely due to WGA?
     
  4. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    I'm not talking about removing it - all my Windowseses are legal.
    I'm just talking about the peculiar little issues that come along, and would like to hear the community opinion.
    Yes, I'm definitely sure it's WGA.
    I traced it right after the Windows Update. I checked the startup, services, registry, to see what this little thing does. Apparently, for legal users, it just plants an unnamed startup entry and probably "runs" in the background, monitoring who knows what - the usual Windows thing. But for those who have cracked sottware, it activates another services - probably wgatray and does magic with displaying messages ...
    TU alerts this thing has no uninstaller, btw.
    So we got a legal software that:
    Does not name itself in the startup.
    Has an unkillable process.
    Has no uninstaller.
    Way to go, Microsoft. I have 6 Windows licences. They won't ever get a penny from me. Ever again.
    Mrk
     
  5. StevieO

    StevieO Registered Member

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  6. SpikeyB

    SpikeyB Registered Member

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    Hey Mrkvonic, I wasn't suggesting anything untoward. It's just that the people who aim to disable it must know how it behaves and where its entries go. If it creates a startup entry, then surely you would have to remove that during the disabling process. Apparently you don't have to remove a startup entry, hence my question.
     
  7. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    No sweat, mate.
    The scorn was aimed at the Big Brother, not you.
    Mrk
     
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