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Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is a program initiated by Microsoft which requires users of Microsoft Windows to validate their copy of several Microsoft Operating System s when accessing several Microsoft Windows services such as Windows Update and downloading from Microsoft Download Center. Previously voluntary, it became mandatory for use of these services in July 2005 . When a user installs WGA, an Internet Explorer Add-on is added entitled "Windows Genuine Advantage". Unlike most IE Add-ons, it can not be managed by navigating IE: "Tools->Internet Options->Programs->Manage Add-ons..." The program uses either a stand-alone program to generate a key or an ActiveX control to discover if the License Key is valid. If WGA determines that a user's copy of Windows was Pirated , and the CD appeared genuine (including the holographic emblem present on real copies of Windows), then Microsoft will supply the user with a new CD. Microsoft also offers discounts to people who want to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows, but do not have a valid CD. Originally, industry analysts believed that the WGA program would not prevent users of unchecked systems from receiving critical and security updates through the Automatic Update service, because Microsoft deemed the security and reputation risk from unpatched systems greater than the loss of income from pirated copies. However, Microsoft apparently decided otherwise and made authentication mandatory for security updates as well as optional software. Beginning April 25, 2006, Microsoft began distributing Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications as critical update KB905474 to millions of Windows users. Users with unofficial copies will be exposed to alerts [http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/wga-notifications-this-copy-of-windows.html at startup, login and during use of the Windows OS stating that they do not have a genuine copy of Windows. Users with legitimate copies will not see the alerts that Windows isn't genuine. At the same time, Microsoft have introduced another tool called Office Genuine Advantage to validate the Office application is that genuine or not. CIRCUMVENTION AND DMCA In the US, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act criminalizes production and dissemination of technology that can circumvent measures taken to protect copyright, not merely infringement of copyright itself, and heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet. Court cases testing this versus constitutional freedom of speech rights and antimonopoly considerations with regard to convicted monopolist Microsoft are considered inevitable. Cracks to get past WGA authentication have been released on the Internet. A Microsoft spokesman claimed on August 9 , 2005 that the company was going "back to the drawing board" and redesigning WGA due to the ease of circumvention {Link without Title} . In September to bypass WGA authentication by using a valid hash generated by a remote system. Microsoft responded with a Cease And Desist letter to the website host, and the workaround was taken down on January 6 , 2006 . EXTERNAL LINKS
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