[olug] interesting article on the background surveillance under winXP

[Jay Swackhamer]

Interesting article for those running XP.........

Windows XP Shows the Direction Microsoft is Going.
http://www.hevanet.com/peace/microsoft.htm

short snip......................
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Windows XP tries to connect to Microsoft's computers in at least 16 ways. 
 Here is a (probably incomplete) list of ways Windows XP tries to connect
each user's computer to Microsoft's computers, or expects to be allowed
through the user's software firewall:

   1. Application Layer Gateway Service (Requires server rights.)
   2. Fax Service
   3. File Signature Verification
   4. Generic Host Process for Win32 Services (Requires server rights.)
   5. Microsoft Direct Play Voice Test
   6. Microsoft Help and Support Center
   7. Microsoft Help Center Hosting Server (Wants server rights.)
   8. Microsoft Management Console
   9. Microsoft Media Player (Tells Microsoft the music and videos you
like. See the February 20, 2002 Security Focus article Why is Microsoft
watching us watch DVD movies? [securityfocus.com].)
  10. Microsoft Network Availability Test
  11. Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service
  12. Microsoft Windows Media Configuration Utility (Setup_wm.exe,
sometimes runs when you use Windows Media Player.)
  13. MS DTC Console program
  14. Run DLL as an app (There is no indication about which DLL or which
function in the DLL.)
  15. Services and Controller app
  16. Time Service, sets the time on your computer from Microsoft's
computer. (This can be changed to get the time from another time
server.)


-- 
Jay Swackhamer

Reboot The User
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