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Anytime you try to download Office or Windows updates, Microsoft assures itself that your software is legitimate and paid for.  They call this Microsoft Genuine Advantage.  This is Microsoft’s way of making sure you are not running pirated software.  Sure, it’s a bit annoying going through the hoops just to download updates for your legitimate software, but a little extra time is the price you pay.  For now.

If you have pirated software, things are going to change.  Microsoft has a "kill switch" built into Vista that can disable the OS.  And they have one in Office 2007 as well.  This is not just a one-time communication for validation, as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) communicates back to Microsoft on an ongoing basis.  So if Microsoft accidentally thinks your software is illegitimate, or you change your computer innards enough to fool Microsoft, then the software might get turned off.  This could happen quickly or even years after you purchase the software.

This is scary stuff.  I’m all for a company protecting its assets from pirates, but perhaps this invasion is going too far.  What do you think?

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