Microsoft Says It Cannot Stop Windows 10 From Spying On You, Doesn’t Think You Should Be Concerned

[DaffyDuck]

Windows 10 Start Menu

 

 

 

Microsoft is tracking its Windows 10 users, and it's for their own benefit, the company argues. Whatever users type, whatever websites they visit, Microsoft will know. The worst part is, even Microsoft admits that it can't stop Windows 10 tracking features itself either. (Photo : Microsoft)

Microsoft has a commanding control of the world's PC market, and now the company wants even more control over its users' data.

 

This is all, of course, in an effort to better improve the experience of using Microsoft's latest and greatest Windows 10 operating system, or so the company says. Albeit Windows 10 is arguably a much better product than Windows 7 and Windows 8.

 

So as the rest of the world transitions into Microsoft's latest operating system (with the slick "helping hand" of Microsoft by including Windows 10 in Windows Update), Microsoft will have even more access to users' data with tracking features even the company itself can't stop. Moreover, the Redmond-based company says its ability to track users is actually for the user's benefit, too.

 

"And in the case of knowing that our system that we've created is crashing, or is having serious performance problems, we view that as so helpful to the ecosystem, and so not an issue of personal privacy, that today, we collect that data so that we make that experience better for everyone," Microsoft Corporate Vice President Joe Belfiore argued.

 

Why users would want their location tapped and their every keystroke logged by a corporation for their own benefit sounds quite fishy; it is only applicable for individual users. Microsoft continues to treat a corporation and an average consumer differently from each other. Windows 10 Pro and Windows Enterprise users will have the option to disable automatic updates and tick off all of the data the operating system wants to send back to the mothership.

 

On the other hand, users on Windows 10 Home will be forced to download automatic updates. It doesn't stop there either. The basic offering of Windows 10 also controls how much bandwidth a user consumes, display ads in the Start Menu, log every key press on the keyboard, download a user's browser history, and much more. These are all described in the End User License Agreement (EULA) each user is required to agree to before making use of the operating system (if the user even bothers to thoroughly read through it).

 

Fortunately, the worst of Microsoft's spy software can be disabled. To do so, a user must edit their privacy settings from the Start Menu to Settings and finally to Privacy, and from there disable as much of it as possible. Unfortunately, not all tracking options can be turned off and Microsoft can't do anything about it even if it wanted to.

[superdaws]

Well Microsoft also can't stop me from installing Linux as my next OS and I don't think they should be worried about that either. 

[DaffyDuck]

Thumbs up on that - I've switched some clients to Linux (Ubuntu). For most, it was an improvement.

[Para]

The more I read the more concerned I get. What M$ is doing is simply beyond me add to that the the Snoopers Charter the UK are trying to push thorough and soon we wont have any level or guarantee of privacy.

 

*SIGH*

[DaffyDuck]

There's a reason M$ claims Win 10 is free. It gets all the cheapskates to upgrade and exposes all their private information as a trade-in for 'convenience'.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Para]

There's a reason M$ claims Win 10 is free. It gets all the cheapskates to upgrade and exposes all their private information as a trade-in for 'convenience'.

 

 

 

Clever marketing for sure. Aint no such thing as a free lunch yet people don't question how M$ can afford the revenue loss Windows generates as an OS.

[DaffyDuck]

Same folks accusing other companies of having devious intentions, turn a blind eye to it when Microsoft does it (or Google).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Farangkie]

Anyone know if Apple does the same with their operating system ?

[DaffyDuck]

They don't.

 

It's a frequent question / assumption.

[Cerberus]

I have just switched to apple, not liking it but that is because i have to learn everything again.

[DaffyDuck]

The learning curve isn't as steep or complex as you'd think. Mostly, you have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits from Windows, or unlearn being used to mediocrity.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[boxershrimp]

Not that I'm part of the tinfoil hat brigade, but there is also the slight niggle that since the good people at M$ (who are in the US, after all) are logging all you do, then NSA has all your data too by default.
 

[superdaws]

Not that I'm part of the tinfoil hat brigade, but there is also the slight niggle that since the good people at M$ (who are in the US, after all) are logging all you do, then NSA has all your data too by default.

 

Actually that should mean there is less likelihood that the NSA would get it.  I stress the should as I don't believe that is actually how it works but the NSA is not supposed to be spying on US citizens or businesses. 

[boxershrimp]

Actually that should mean there is less likelihood that the NSA would get it.  I stress the should as I don't believe that is actually how it works but the NSA is not supposed to be spying on US citizens or businesses. 

He he, yeah. "Not supposed to".

[DaffyDuck]

Actually that should mean there is less likelihood that the NSA would get it. I stress the should as I don't believe that is actually how it works but the NSA is not supposed to be spying on US citizens or businesses.

It doesn't have to spy, if the information is available, freely, or to purchase.

 

- Facebook : idiots freely sharing information about their illegal activities. Just set up a fake account, and you have all the information you want.

 

Google : wave some money in their face, and since their business is selling their users' information, that's all you need to do.

 

Microsoft : maybe wave money in their face, if that's even needed.

 

Apple : there's a reason why countries like the US or UK are attempting to sue, or outlaw Apple, for not making user data available.

 

Consider the above 'business models' when you make decisions based on privacy.

[Para]

Actually that should mean there is less likelihood that the NSA would get it.  I stress the should as I don't believe that is actually how it works but the NSA is not supposed to be spying on US citizens or businesses. 

 

Why do you think 5 Eyes was formed? Get a 'partner' country to do your domestic dirty work and preach the constitution is upheld.

[Cerberus]

The learning curve isn't as steep or complex as you'd think. Mostly, you have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits from Windows, or unlearn being used to mediocrity.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Maybe that is because you use Macs? Right now it a bloody horror story in the making, it seems when setting it up they want you to have Mac ID that is linked to facebook and any number of shops. If I make a mistake on any of this, which I have  it basically stops working. It also appears to transfer my data files I have to purchase something called parallels which will make the Mac act like a PC,  and it all takes hours of time which I do not have. 

 

Switch on the PC and I can work straight away, switch on the Mac I have to sign in and if I can't that's that, on the chance that I do when hitting the internet I have to sign into something else. Parallels wants me to transfer a copy of windows onto the Mac.................................etc

 

The learning curve is sufficiently frustrating  that my two dogs do not join me in the office any more out of fear for their lives 

[DaffyDuck]

You're doing something wrong - as nearly none of what you describe is a requirement.

 

- you can create an Apple ID in order to use iCloud and in order to have a single ID across services. Your ID can also be used to allow you to log on to your Mac if you set it up that way.

 

- your Apple ID is NOT linked to Facebook or any 'shops'. No idea where you get that idea from??

 

- Parallels has nothing to do with 'data files' - you would install Parallels if you are running software (applications) that requires a PC. Some specialized software is that way. Most of your data files (especially Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) will handily open either in Apple's free apps of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, or in Mac Office 2016.

 

- if you can't remember your login password, then I can't help you - except that you can set up your Mac to automatically log you in without requiring a password.

 

- Parallels includes a utility that transfers your Windows PC to the Mac and handles the entire installation unattended. Yes, you have to wait for it to finish.

 

- Windows also requires you to login with a password, so the scenario is the same on both platforms, when logging in.

 

So, honestly, I don't understand where you could possibly screw up in the manner that you describe.

[Para]

Maybe that is because you use Macs? Right now it a bloody horror story in the making, it seems when setting it up they want you to have Mac ID that is linked to facebook and any number of shops. If I make a mistake on any of this, which I have  it basically stops working. It also appears to transfer my data files I have to purchase something called parallels which will make the Mac act like a PC,  and it all takes hours of time which I do not have. 

 

Switch on the PC and I can work straight away, switch on the Mac I have to sign in and if I can't that's that, on the chance that I do when hitting the internet I have to sign into something else. Parallels wants me to transfer a copy of windows onto the Mac.................................etc

 

The learning curve is sufficiently frustrating  that my two dogs do not join me in the office any more out of fear for their lives 

 

Hey Cerberus. I guess OSX is as alien to a Windows user as Linux is at the start!

 

What I link about the current day Linux distributions is you can burn to a USB key and boot from that to have a test and if you choose to install it can easily install along side your Windows partition giving you a dual boot option.

 

I had a new SSD delivered yesterday so when I get home tomorrow will be installing that and a clean copy of Mint. Will stick the old SSD into an external case so I can boot straight from it if ever I need an application that doesn't have an Linux equivalent.

 

No comment on your poor dogs.

[Cerberus]

You're doing something wrong - as nearly none of what you describe is a requirement.

 

- you can create an Apple ID in order to use iCloud and in order to have a single ID across services. Your ID can also be used to allow you to log on to your Mac if you set it up that way.

 

- your Apple ID is NOT linked to Facebook or any 'shops'. No idea where you get that idea from??

 

- Parallels has nothing to do with 'data files' - you would install Parallels if you are running software (applications) that requires a PC. Some specialized software is that way. Most of your data files (especially Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) will handily open either in Apple's free apps of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, or in Mac Office 2016.

 

- if you can't remember your login password, then I can't help you - except that you can set up your Mac to automatically log you in without requiring a password.

 

- Parallels includes a utility that transfers your Windows PC to the Mac and handles the entire installation unattended. Yes, you have to wait for it to finish.

 

- Windows also requires you to login with a password, so the scenario is the same on both platforms, when logging in.

 

So, honestly, I don't understand where you could possibly screw up in the manner that you describe.

 

Daffy I do not blame the software or the Mac merely myself  Was trying to do everything to fast, expecting it be more complicated than windows so fell into the trap of thinking I had to sign into iclouds and all the rest just wanted to get to work. So basically it was me that buggered up due to my ignorance. 

 

The truth is I do not do anything complicated on the computer, word, excel, some photo stuff such as embedding a watermark a fair amount on the internet. Due to an experience some years ago I am a little paranoid so on the PC virtually everything is encrypted, which again adds time. That is the type of data I am talking about, files and folders of files but all produced under windows.

 

I would like to go back to the start and begin again 555 but the Mac seems to have other ideas at least that is the way it seems to me. I think I am going to have to get some help in sorting out my original mistakes then take it slower.  

 

Hey Cerberus. I guess OSX is as alien to a Windows user as Linux is at the start!

 

What I link about the current day Linux distributions is you can burn to a USB key and boot from that to have a test and if you choose to install it can easily install along side your Windows partition giving you a dual boot option.

 

I had a new SSD delivered yesterday so when I get home tomorrow will be installing that and a clean copy of Mint. Will stick the old SSD into an external case so I can boot straight from it if ever I need an application that doesn't have an Linux equivalent.

 

No comment on your poor dogs.

 

Mate windows is alien to me   but the internet is such a massive tool and record keeping, charts, comparisons are just so easy on a computer. Partitions, dual booting from an external source. Linux     I guess I am what is called a computer users, which means the minute a blue screen appears, or such, I am crying out for help.

 

my poor dogs are where they always are when I am home in the office, one to the left of my chair the other the right. this means I am stuck and cannot move the chair without getting grumbled at.    do not care as they are the one thing I would never throw out of my life.

[DaffyDuck]

Cerberus,

We can figure this out, I'm sure, and get you squared away. Yes, let's see if we can start this from scratch.
 

 

Due to an experience some years ago I am a little paranoid so on the PC virtually everything is encrypted, which again adds time. That is the type of data I am talking about, files and folders of files but all produced under windows.

The first thing you will need to do is explain how you encrypted all the materials, and most likely we will need to decrypt the information if you were going to bring it over to the Mac.

(The Mac can subsequently provide you with built-in encryption, once everything s set up).

 

[Cerberus]

Cerberus,

 

We can figure this out, I'm sure, and get you squared away. Yes, let's see if we can start this from scratch.

 

 

The first thing you will need to do is explain how you encrypted all the materials, and most likely we will need to decrypt the information if you were going to bring it over to the Mac.

(The Mac can subsequently provide you with built-in encryption, once everything s set up).

 

 

 

That's simple I use a file/folder encryption software with a 16 bit password. So adding/removing the encryption from files is very straight forward. That would leave them as the standard window files that they are. I also use a full disk encryption tool but again I am able to deal with that. 

 

Getting the mac back to its original state and setting it up properly is my first problem. Followed by moving my data files/folders to the Mac, if I am able to transfer them in their original format from windows into the Mac I can do that by flash drive. Will Mac be able to read them?

 

I am presuming that my printer can be added in a similar way in which I added it to windows. 

 

I suspect that what I have buggered up in trying to set up the Mac can be easily fixed by someone knowing what they are doing, I just do not want to make it worse. 

[hairball]

That's simple I use a file/folder encryption software with a 16 bit password. So adding/removing the encryption from files is very straight forward. That would leave them as the standard window files that they are. I also use a full disk encryption tool but again I am able to deal with that. 

 

Getting the mac back to its original state and setting it up properly is my first problem. Followed by moving my data files/folders to the Mac, if I am able to transfer them in their original format from windows into the Mac I can do that by flash drive. Will Mac be able to read them?

 

I am presuming that my printer can be added in a similar way in which I added it to windows. 

 

I suspect that what I have buggered up in trying to set up the Mac can be easily fixed by someone knowing what they are doing, I just do not want to make it worse.

 

I would suggest hiring someone to do everything you don't understand.

Emails,Facebook,PA and porn is all you should be handling.

[Cerberus]

I would suggest hiring someone to do everything you don't understand.

Emails,Facebook,PA and porn is all you should be handling.

Thank you so much for your informed suggestion, I will place it along with other such that I value in a receptacle under my desk.

[DaffyDuck]

That's simple I use a file/folder encryption software with a 16 bit password. So adding/removing the encryption from files is very straight forward. That would leave them as the standard window files that they are. I also use a full disk encryption tool but again I am able to deal with that. 

 

Getting the mac back to its original state and setting it up properly is my first problem. Followed by moving my data files/folders to the Mac, if I am able to transfer them in their original format from windows into the Mac I can do that by flash drive. Will Mac be able to read them?

 

I am presuming that my printer can be added in a similar way in which I added it to windows. 

 

I suspect that what I have buggered up in trying to set up the Mac can be easily fixed by someone knowing what they are doing, I just do not want to make it worse. 

 

 

You can reset the Mac back to factory virgin configurations. 

 

You need a moderately decent internet connection, not absolutely mandatory, though.

 

Reboot your Mac. Hold Down the following keys on your keyboard simultaneously:

 

 

[COMMAND] + [R]

 

Hold these keys until the Apple logo appears. After your computer finishes starting up, you should see a desktop with an OS X menu bar and an OS X Utilities window with the options listed:

• Restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup.
• Verify and repair connected drives using Disk Utility.
• Check your Internet connection or get help online using Safari.
• Install or reinstall OS X.

REINSTALL OS X should be your choice. Follow the prompts. This will restore your system to factory settings.

 

We can then proceed from there.