Is Microsoft guilty of hacking its Vista and XP users?

If hacking means unauthorized use of someone else’s PC, then Microsoft, as reported by Computer World in its article entitled “Researchers: Microsoft Changes PC Files Without Permission”, is guilty of hacking.

Scott Dunn, editor at the “Windows Secrets” newsletter told Computer World that nine files in XP and another nine files in Vista have been changed by Windows Update without displaying the usual notification or permission dialog box.

The article also claimed that even when users have explicitly disabled the OS automatic update feature, the updates are still installed.

While there were no reported signs of any malicious intent, I have to wonder why Microsoft is keeping these updates secret.

But regardless of reasons the company may give to justify its action, this is still very much unprofessional.

What is the purpose of giving its users the flexibility to decide on how and when to download, install updates and patches, when Microsoft will just update its users’ files when it wants to?

Brian Livingston, the founder and editorial director of the newsletter also said: “If [Microsoft] starts doing this, people should have a lot of concerns.”

Today, Microsoft simply updates its users’ OS files without permission. But what prevents the company from one day deciding to read users’ data or to place malicious files? Trust is good, but it could also lead to our downfall.

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