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Maybe I'm more security-aware than most Windows users -- it's my job as a System Administrator, after all -- but I'm at a loss to explain how this was a good idea on Windows Phone, much less Windows 10 on a billion computers and devices.

Maybe somebody else can explain to me how this feature is a good idea.

1 posted on 06/30/2015 7:07:24 PM PDT by dayglored
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To: dayglored

I’ve been waiting for the first hammer to fall regarding Windows 10 (I’m still using Windows 7) ... and mayhap here it is.


2 posted on 06/30/2015 7:15:06 PM PDT by doc1019 (Blue lives matter)
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To: dayglored

Maybe somebody else can explain to me how this feature is a good idea. —

Well, keeps me from having to learn Chinese (for now).


3 posted on 06/30/2015 7:16:16 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Using 4th keyboard due to wearing out the "/" and "s" on the previous 3)
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To: dayglored
Maybe somebody else can explain to me how this feature is a good idea.

Well, the NSA thought it was a good idea ...

4 posted on 06/30/2015 7:17:25 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Henry Bowman where are you?)
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To: dayglored
In theory, someone who wanted access to your company network could befriend an employee or two, and drive into the office car park to be in range, and then gain access to the corporate wireless network.

For this "theory" to work, the corporation will have to have already failed to implement so many basic security measures they're probably already compromised to the gills, provided they're still in business.

5 posted on 06/30/2015 7:22:28 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: dayglored
Dumb idea, but I can see where somebody might think it's convenient. Set your router to be restricted to registered MAC addresses and the problem is solved, but it's a little bit of a pain in the patoot to manage at home.

I don't see this "feature" sticking around for very long, myself.

6 posted on 06/30/2015 7:22:53 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: dayglored

Run from Microsoft


9 posted on 06/30/2015 7:30:53 PM PDT by Ray76 (Obama says, "Unlike my mum, Ruth has all the documents needed to prove who Mark's father was.")
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To: dayglored

11 posted on 06/30/2015 7:39:40 PM PDT by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: dayglored; Abby4116; afraidfortherepublic; aft_lizard; AF_Blue; Alas Babylon!; amigatec; ...
WiFi passwords getting passed around, good idea? ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Sorry for the tardy ping, I got called away from the computer just after posting the initial thread.

And no, I was NOT in the shower. :-)

And no, I don't FEEL tardy...

14 posted on 06/30/2015 7:49:29 PM PDT by dayglored (Meditate for twenty minutes every day, unless you are too busy, in which case meditate for an hour.)
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To: dayglored

Yeah, it sure is great for Microsoft to arrange this for us. And without us even asking. What a bunch of swell guys!</sarcasm>

I retire in a little over 4 years (God willing). I can’t wait to ditch Microsoft (have to have it on the home PC for work) and go over to either open source or Apple (haven’t decided which yet).

Maybe by that time the government will finally figure out who is to blame for all my security clearance data ending up in the hands of the Chinese. Oh, yeah! The OPM administrator says NO ONE is responsible. Another swell group of guys and gals.


15 posted on 06/30/2015 7:51:25 PM PDT by Captain Rhino (Determined effort today forges tomorrow)
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To: dayglored

nononononononononnonononononononono!!


19 posted on 06/30/2015 7:55:33 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: dayglored

That’s got to be one of the most retarded ideas I’ve ever heard. Thanks, Microshaft!


22 posted on 06/30/2015 7:58:49 PM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: dayglored

The NSA needs access as do the police.


26 posted on 06/30/2015 8:14:19 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: dayglored

This is wrong and stupid. Microsoft should work on something useful. Like making free phone calls with a free google voice number and an obi100 http://www.amazon.com/OBi100-Telephone-Adapter-Service-Bridge/dp/B004LO098O


28 posted on 06/30/2015 8:36:21 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
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To: dayglored

It’s a feature for the millennial...
Let your friends on your WiFi at home without giving them a password in writing.

My advice, toggle off.


33 posted on 06/30/2015 9:03:19 PM PDT by BlueNgold (May I suggest a very nice 1788 Article V with your supper...)
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To: dayglored

No worries here. My home network is set to only allow those assets whose MAC addresses I have registered.


34 posted on 06/30/2015 9:30:38 PM PDT by Mygirlsmom (The only cleaning "Woman of the People" HRC has done in the last 25 yrs was wiping her server.)
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To: dayglored

Fixing a whole in a Windows OS installation should not require me to change my network hardware configuration.


35 posted on 06/30/2015 10:08:07 PM PDT by jdege
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To: dayglored

There’s a hardware component in your wireless router that’s at play here as well. If you use WPS (wireless protected setup), your router already has a mechanism whereby it synchronizes to your computer through the use of a mutually-shared code. This is very much not recommended in areas where a large number of APs are present (i.e. a college dorm or apartment complex), but it’s relatively safe for most users.

This sounds like an extension of WPS whereby a social aspect of the operating system calls out to systems in the user’s trusted list to allow them to connect to a common wifi hotspot.

I’m using Ubiquiti APs in my home and have a pretty tight lock of my network. I wouldn’t let this crap fly.


38 posted on 07/01/2015 4:54:03 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: dayglored

Also want to point out that this “feature” is only enabled if you allow it. There are opt-out checkboxes all over the place, and given that this is a Windows platform, if you’re using the OS in a corporate environment, group policy is going to allow you to completely shut this down anyway.


39 posted on 07/01/2015 4:57:55 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: dayglored
Does seem like a bad idea. The only justification I can see for it is that it would make people more likely to actually set good passwords on their WiFi networks.

This and having weak or default passwords both have the potential for enabling unauthorized use of you WiFi. The one difference I see is that this could make it more likely that unauthorized users can be detected and identified, since they have to be registered with the service at MS and the access should be logged there.

40 posted on 07/01/2015 5:10:46 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: dayglored

"..and so on...and so on...and so on...."

42 posted on 07/01/2015 5:14:14 AM PDT by dfwgator
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