Why am I getting a message on startup that says "You may be a victim of software conterfeiting?

Question

I now have DSL with sbcglobal.net and it was fine until a few days ago.....now after the message above popped up, I cannot click on to any of my MSN sites.... I can get msn.com but whenever I try to go to any of my favorites (MSN MONEY; MSN MESSENGER, MY MSN PAGE, etc.... it gives me the "page not available, etc. etc." and nothing I can do has allowed me to browse MSN.....

Answer 1

search for "uninstall Windows Genuine Advantage".
What you have is the windows genuine advantage update on your PC. its relatively straight forward to uninstall, see the link below.
It WAS microsofts attempt to find unlicenced versions of XP and stop them from receiving updates. however, its been slammed as "Nag-ware" and theyve withdrawn it. so, if you get rid, your XP should start updating again.

Thats all assuming its XP causing your message

Answer 2

There has been an "update" from Microsoft, spread through Windows Update, that will check if your copy of WindowsXP has a valid installation key.
If you have a valid key, call Microsoft. If you don't, but have purchased the computer including Windows from a store: call Microsoft, they'll give you a rebate if you turn over the purchasing papers. If you don't have a valid copy (and know it), look for the WGA removal tool.

Answer 3

Microsoft is now able to detect if your copy of windows is genuine or not in a recent update. So basically until you resolve the issue you will be able to download a majority of microsoft's software.

Sounds like you got scammed. :( You may actually be a "victim of software software counterfeiting".

Answer 4

Microsoft is experienmenting with this detection of pirated copy of Windows, try Firefox as browser see if it has any help.

Answer 5

You have spyware. Goto www.ewido.com and run the free scan.
Here are some other free ones you can try.
Spybots search and Destroy http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html?tag=pao
adaware se> http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php
a-squared Free> http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
X -Cleaner Micro Edition scan http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spywareguard too.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/