The Windows Update Tempest
I really think this whole issue about Windows Update, that I
reported on yesterday, is being overblown. At first, I too was flabbergasted that Microsoft would update anything on a user's computer without notifying or asking permission of said user. The initial press reports had the same amazed tone. But after talking with Shavlik's Eric Schultze, who knows a lot about this stuff, and reading Nate Clinton's explanation, I'm persuaded that it really isn't that big a deal.
Yes, Microsoft should have said something about it. But I'm fully convinced it wasn't nefarious activity on their part. And it makes sense if you think about it -- how is Microsoft supposed to keep you updated about its own update software? It needs the update so that updates work properly. Whoa -- better not think about this too hard.
Also, Microsoft has nothing to gain by surreptitiously updating computers; just look at the negative feedback from this one episode alone, and you can see what would happen if a large-scale campaign of unauthorized updates was going on. I'm convinced it's a communication lapse, nothing more.
Besides, the real spies are in Massachussetts. I'll be watching closely when my beloved boys travel to Foxboro on Oct. 28.
Posted on 09/14/2007 at 12:48 PM