Microsoft shares Windows 10 telemetry data with third parties (aka. FireEye security)

Beta News ^ | Nov 24, 2016 | Wayne Williams

[dayglored]

It’s no secret that Windows 10 records all sorts of usage information, some of which it feeds back to Microsoft. To help with the smooth running of Windows 10, and to get an idea of how users interact with the operating system, Microsoft collects telemetry data, which includes information on the device Windows 10 is running on, a list of installed apps, crash dumps, and more.

Telemetry data recorded by Windows 10 is, in a nutshell, just technical information about the device the OS is on, and how Windows and any installed software is performing, but it can occasionally include personal information. If you’re worried about that, the news that Microsoft is sharing telemetry data with third parties might concern you.

Microsoft recently struck a deal with security firm FireEye to provide access to Windows 10 telemetry data, in exchange for having FireEye’s iSIGHT Threat Intelligence technology included in its Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service. WDATP is an enterprise security product that helps enterprises detect, investigate, and respond to advanced attacks on their networks and is different from the free version of Windows Defender.

[dayglored]

This is a little on the breathless side -- the headline says "parties" (plural), but it appears to only be FireEye.

FireEye, BTW, is a respectable firm so I don't think I'm very worried about them in particular. OTOH, this is a troubling trend if it extends to other companies for similar technology vs. customer data trades.

[dayglored]

Windows 10 telemetry being shared ... PING!

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

[proxy_user]

Ubuntu 16.04 here.

I found a computer on the street, installed an old hard drive a buddy gave me, and here I am. Just as good as Win10 without the spyware. I’m root, and I won’t type in my password unless I know what it’s for.

[Cold Heart]

Every site added that collects or shares your data increases the chances of being hacked or just your data going where you don’t want it going.

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

#NEVERTEN

[markomalley]

And that’s why I run Linux Mint 17.3.

[rdl6989]

Thanks for posting this. I just changed the settings on my Windows machine to “never” give feedback since this is yet another privacy setting I was unaware of. It makes me wonder how many other settings are buried in Windows 10.

[rdl6989]

^ Privacy settings I mean.

[cgbg]

Deplorable Luddite bump!

[killermosquito]

Windows 7 was much better. Our family of 4 could have all logged in and 3 locked the one using it would not have any memory issues. Now out of memory errors are frequent.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I removed Windows 7 from my desktop and laptop. Installed Mint 18 Cinnamon and am loving it. Still have a VMWare player image of Win 7 on a USB stick to run Family Tree Maker when I need to update it. So far as I know, it’s the only app that will sync with Ancestry.com, so I’m stuck with that.

[Still Thinking]

Almost makes me wish I went for Windows 10.....nope ....

I don’t know if anyone else got this, but Microsoft actually offered me a FREE copy of WinX. They must really like me.

[TChad]

It makes me wonder how many other settings are buried in Windows 10.

This program plugs some (most?) of the holes:

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Be very careful with your settings. You can shut off Windows update entirely with this program.

[rdl6989]

thank you

[martin_fierro]

Attaboy.

Running Xubuntu LTS 16.04 on a couple of old laptops here. One of them’s a 2006 Celeron.

[proxy_user]

This computer is a Dell Optiplex 360 with a dual 2.8 MHz processor and 4 gigs. I believe it was discarded by the Building Workers Union office on my block - at least they had the sense to remove and destroy the hard drive. It runs quite well.

[martin_fierro]

Think I’ll put that on my work laptop running 10.

And then count down the minutes until Security escorts me from the building. < |:(~

[TChad]

And then count down the minutes until Security escorts me from the building.

When they have you sweating under the hot lights, refer them to this ZDNet review:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/worried-that-windows-10-is-spying-on-you-here-how-to-take-back-control/

The other program reviewed, Spybot Anti-Beacon, is a CPU hog. Shut Up 10 seems to have no impact on performance.

[rarestia]

FireEye is on the up-and-up, and they’re generally viewed as one of the most reputable IT security institutions in the world. This is much ado about nothing, as are most of the MS FUD.

It’s not difficult to see the data that is sent via telemetry. If you were to go through it, you would notice that the data is sanitized and doesn’t contain anything that’s unique about you unless you’re using some off-off-brand USB mouse or an exceptionally old Centronics-based printer.

[piasa]

On the other hand, Fireeye has invited Hillary Clinton to speak in October at their cybersecurity conference, lol.