Windows 10 Worst Secret Spins Out Of Control - Forbes (Microsoft spying cannot be disabled)

Forbes ^ | 02/09/2016 | Gordon Kelly

[MarchonDC09122009]

Windows 10 Worst Secret Spins Out Of Control - Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2016/02/09/windows-10-data-tracking-spying-levels/?utm_campaign=yahootix&partner=yahootix#1b42bfac7aa9

Back in November Microsoft confirmed Windows 10’s worst kept secret: its extensive telemetry (or ‘spying’ as it has been labelled) cannot be stopped. What no-one realised until now, however, is just how staggering the extent of this tracking really is… 

Blowing the lid on it this week is Voat user CheesusCrust whose extensive investigation found 

*Windows 10 contacts Microsoft to report data thousands of times per day. 

And the kicker? 

*This happens after choosing a custom Windows 10 installation and disabling all three pages of tracking options which are all enabled by default.*...

[PAR35]

Computer experts:

Could a router (or other hardware device) be set up which would blacklist internet addresses used by Microsoft to harvest data?

[daniel1212]

And Forbes does not like my very helpful ad blocking host file (which cannot simply be turned off).

[Flavious_Maximus]

*This happens after choosing a custom Windows 10 installation and disabling all three pages of tracking options which are all enabled by default.*.

I have been stating all along that this has the stink of Obama and Homeland Security fingerprints all over it. I believe Microsoft was ordered by the DHS to allow government surveillance of ALL PCs, and not to disclose this information to the public. This is why Microsoft is not able to comment.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Precisely my point.

MS has recently indicated that only Windows10 will drive most “new” hardware.

[Currentriverrat]

pfl

[EBH]

So wait...everyone...let me get this straight...

You turn off all 3 pages of disclaimers and Microsoft does it anyway...

Isn’t that FRAUD, VIOLATION OF CONTRACT, etc.

How much can Microsoft be sued for deception, lying, fraud, abuse, ...

I think a class action lawsuit of an order of magnitude that escalates is way appropriate.

[HangnJudge]

My response to this will always be OSX & Linux serve me well.

Yup, the many children of Unix are rock solid

[broken_clock]

I have a 12 year old desktop with Win XP that runs like a champ. I’m looking to replace it someday soon but I just might go with a Mac when I keep hearing about Microsoft’s unending need to spy on everyone...

[Darksheare]

Now would be a good time to offer prizes to the first tech team to prove they can exploit the Win10 backdoor.

[unixfox]

Why anyone would buy a computer that's tied to that bastard Bill Gates is beyond me.

Do you think Henry Ford is still at Ford Motors? Bill Gates has been gone from Microsoft for years. Don't lay the blame on him.

[freds6girlies]

bookmark

[unixfox]

Could a router (or other hardware device) be set up which would blacklist internet addresses used by Microsoft to harvest data?

Yes, you can add them to a blacklist on your router and yes someone has already published a list. You can Google it. I looked at it and did a little research into the IP addresses and they are indeed registered to Microsoft. That said, those IP addresses could change on a whim and you would never know the difference. It could prove to be a futile effort to keep up with it.

[DaveA37]

Since Microsoft is so eager for all of us to change to something that doesn’t work, why should we “little people” be forced to use their product, Windows 10? Isn’t there some other companies product that DOES WORK?

[vette6387]

“Do you think Henry Ford is still at Ford Motors? Bill Gates has been gone from Microsoft for years. Don’t lay the blame on him.”

He’s still a bastard! BTW There is still a Ford at Ford. Edsel II

[PAR35]

A business opportunity? ‘Give me access to your routers, so I can keep you updated to protect you from Microsoft spying. Of course, I’ll need to track your internet activity to keep you safe.’ But bury that last sentence in the midst of a 10,000 word terms of service.

[sauropod]

Agree.

[AFreeBird]

Sure, set up a proxy server like most companies do. You could set it up for whitelist access only. Meaning, don’t try to figure out all the ways Microsft can direct their system to go, just authorize the places YOU want to go.

The downside would be, that you’d have to have the whitelist up and ready to modify as your browsing choices demand. Though, after a while, it will become less tedious as your list grows.

[apocalypto]

for later

[AFreeBird]

Yea, MACs work. They work quite well. And the software is free. I’ve got a 21” iMac on my desk, and a MacMini hooked up to my 55” HDTV and home theater for sound, in the family room.

[roadcat]

Firstly the Windows 10 EULA (end user licence agreement) which very few users ever read, gives Microsoft full legal rights to do this.

I hate those agreements. Hardly anyone reads them. You could be promising your first born kids to them in 1 year not realize it. You don't own anything, you have no rights, they can spy on you to the end of your life and you can't stop Microsoft. Then again, you don't have to use their products. Run away from Windows!