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  3. Windows 10 Sends Your Activity History to Microsoft, Even if You Tell It Not To

Windows 10 Sends Your Activity History to Microsoft, Even if You Tell It Not To

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  • K kalberts

    I use my home PC mostly for editing of photos, video, 3D modelling, sound and text, as well as maintain my private economy and a number of other tabular data (such as an inventory for my home insurance) using spreadsheets. All of this is really "offline" activity. I need an internet connection only when reading web newspapers and for looking up API documentation when I do some programming needed for my home activities. I discovered a while ago that every time I start the text editor, a report is sent to some bookeeping website (the editor is bought at a one-time price, no sort of subscription). So I have made it a habit to keep the network card turne off until I need to open the Internet: It takes a right click on the icon on my desktop to open the network, another one to close it once I have retrieved the information I need, or e.g. sent the email. When I turn on the network, quite frequently some announcer pops up telling me about new versions of this and that, that I might want to download. Before I made it a habit to switch off the network, these were so annoying that I often disabled the service doing the checking. Now that they come more or less when I ask for them, not in the middle of my work, it is far more acceptable, and I consider them, rather than bitching at them. In principle, all my offline activity could be monitored by a demon writing all my activity to a log, transferring the entire log as soon as the network becomes available. But no matter how long I am offline, I have not been able to spot any suspicious network traffic when I open the network. I am still on Windows 7 - switching to Windows 10 is on the schedule for the Christmas vacation. I hope there is nothing in Windows 10 making it more difficult to switch off the network when I am not actively using it.

    abmvA Offline
    abmvA Offline
    abmv
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    u need to turn off the calling home function of many application software these days ...or have a firewall.. with windows 10 just run a test and you can see packets going to various ips on a new install also with things turned off.. some telemetry on hardware gets shipped out..

    Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long

    We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. - Greta Thunberg

    K 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • abmvA abmv

      u need to turn off the calling home function of many application software these days ...or have a firewall.. with windows 10 just run a test and you can see packets going to various ips on a new install also with things turned off.. some telemetry on hardware gets shipped out..

      Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long

      K Offline
      K Offline
      kalberts
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      Re firewall: After it was disclosed that most modern CPUs have a hidden network interface that may be active whether the "public" one is enabled or disabled, a software-only firewall on the same PC is usless if you are paranoid. (And remember: Even if you are paranoid, they might be after you!) The only thing that works it to set up another machine between your PC and the network interface, and filter the entire packet stream from your PC, whether the packets comes from the "public" or the "hidden" interface. Obviously, this would have to be a cabled point-to-point interface, no WiFi or through a switch/router. This filter machine might be a tiny little thing that only does network-related work, without access to your ordinary disk drives. Or, if it is more capable, you could do everyday web browsing, email etc. on that machine, even looking up documentation for your programming work, but with no access to any of your private disks. Then you could keep your "main PC" offline the very most of the time - maybe even pull the network plug. You still need to have the ability to connect to the network now and then, e.g. for software updates, but that would be highly controlled. I am not that paranoid yet. But I do have an old machine with two network interfaces that could do the job the day I decide to. And both my screens (one for each machine) has USB connectors at the side, so I can easily transfer e.g. downloaded from the network to my main PC over a hand operated packet switched network, the packets being 32GB size USB sticks.

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      • K kalberts

        Re firewall: After it was disclosed that most modern CPUs have a hidden network interface that may be active whether the "public" one is enabled or disabled, a software-only firewall on the same PC is usless if you are paranoid. (And remember: Even if you are paranoid, they might be after you!) The only thing that works it to set up another machine between your PC and the network interface, and filter the entire packet stream from your PC, whether the packets comes from the "public" or the "hidden" interface. Obviously, this would have to be a cabled point-to-point interface, no WiFi or through a switch/router. This filter machine might be a tiny little thing that only does network-related work, without access to your ordinary disk drives. Or, if it is more capable, you could do everyday web browsing, email etc. on that machine, even looking up documentation for your programming work, but with no access to any of your private disks. Then you could keep your "main PC" offline the very most of the time - maybe even pull the network plug. You still need to have the ability to connect to the network now and then, e.g. for software updates, but that would be highly controlled. I am not that paranoid yet. But I do have an old machine with two network interfaces that could do the job the day I decide to. And both my screens (one for each machine) has USB connectors at the side, so I can easily transfer e.g. downloaded from the network to my main PC over a hand operated packet switched network, the packets being 32GB size USB sticks.

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        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        Sounds like a great IOT project. I have a few boards lying around. I don't think the Raspi 3 B+ would be good for this, because of the 100 megabit connection. Some of the other boards, like the LattePanda, have gigabit connections. ;)

        When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

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        • D den2k88

          That's why I run windows 7. The day I will be forced to use Windows 10 I will put a nice firewall between my router and my network.

          GCS d--(d+) s-/++ a C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- r+++ y+++*      Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X

          M Offline
          M Offline
          Mark_Wallace
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          Exactly. You can either let ms handle your security, or you can do it properly.

          I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

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          • L Lost User

            Sounds like a great IOT project. I have a few boards lying around. I don't think the Raspi 3 B+ would be good for this, because of the 100 megabit connection. Some of the other boards, like the LattePanda, have gigabit connections. ;)

            When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

            N Offline
            N Offline
            Nelek
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            If you do it... write an article and tell me... I'll have a look ;) :-D

            M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

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            • N Nelek

              If you do it... write an article and tell me... I'll have a look ;) :-D

              M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #15

              Sounds like a plan. I'm already working on an IOT project, but once that one is done, I'll get started on this. Looks like a lot of fun.

              When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

              N 1 Reply Last reply
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              • L Lost User

                Sounds like a great IOT project. I have a few boards lying around. I don't think the Raspi 3 B+ would be good for this, because of the 100 megabit connection. Some of the other boards, like the LattePanda, have gigabit connections. ;)

                When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #16

                Donathan.Hutchings wrote:

                I don't think the Raspi 3 B+ would be good for this, because of the 100 megabit connection.

                According to this[^] the Pi 3 B+ has Gigabit Ethernet.

                Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

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                • realJSOPR realJSOP

                  There's a patch available... Download Ubuntu Desktop | Download | Ubuntu[^]

                  ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                  -----
                  When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  dandy72
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  Don't for a second think Ubuntu itself is so pure. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2013315/ubuntu-linuxs-amazon-integration-gets-a-thumbs-down-from-the-eff.html What this sort of thing tells me is that they're just as likely to try sell your data without asking you, and they'd still be doing it if not for the fact that they got called out. At least MS does it for telemetry (if you're willing to believe them), which is a whole different thing...

                  realJSOPR 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • L Lost User

                    Sounds like a plan. I'm already working on an IOT project, but once that one is done, I'll get started on this. Looks like a lot of fun.

                    When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

                    N Offline
                    N Offline
                    Nelek
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    Cool. Keep me posted :)

                    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                    L 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • D dandy72

                      Don't for a second think Ubuntu itself is so pure. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2013315/ubuntu-linuxs-amazon-integration-gets-a-thumbs-down-from-the-eff.html What this sort of thing tells me is that they're just as likely to try sell your data without asking you, and they'd still be doing it if not for the fact that they got called out. At least MS does it for telemetry (if you're willing to believe them), which is a whole different thing...

                      realJSOPR Offline
                      realJSOPR Offline
                      realJSOP
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      Really? Citing a six-year-old article ain't exactly relevant...

                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

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                      • abmvA abmv

                        Windows 10 Sends Your Activity History to Microsoft, Even if You Tell It Not To[^] you might wanna check yours...online...and clear and block and tell your friends too...

                        Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        SpiritualMadMan
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        Most of this activity seems to be tied to a Microsoft Account... I only use Local Accounts, I am wondering how that affects things... Does anyone know?

                        abmvA 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • realJSOPR realJSOP

                          Really? Citing a six-year-old article ain't exactly relevant...

                          ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                          -----
                          You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                          -----
                          When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          BryanFazekas
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                          Citing a six-year-old article ain't exactly relevant...

                          If they did it once, they'll do it again. Once broken, trust is hard to regain.

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • abmvA abmv

                            Windows 10 Sends Your Activity History to Microsoft, Even if You Tell It Not To[^] you might wanna check yours...online...and clear and block and tell your friends too...

                            Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long

                            T Offline
                            T Offline
                            thewazz
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            Troy Hunt: Mmm... Pi-hole...[^] relevant? i forget now...

                            B 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • S SpiritualMadMan

                              Most of this activity seems to be tied to a Microsoft Account... I only use Local Accounts, I am wondering how that affects things... Does anyone know?

                              abmvA Offline
                              abmvA Offline
                              abmv
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              this does not affect local account..but then u may sign in at app store and office 365 or so...but this does not ...but there is some telemetry

                              Caveat Emptor. "Progress doesn't come from early risers – progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things." Lazarus Long

                              We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. - Greta Thunberg

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • L Lost User

                                Donathan.Hutchings wrote:

                                I don't think the Raspi 3 B+ would be good for this, because of the 100 megabit connection.

                                According to this[^] the Pi 3 B+ has Gigabit Ethernet.

                                Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                You are correct Sir. :thumbsup: I must have mistaken it for the previous version. I have several still in the box, so I'll set on aside for this project.

                                When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • N Nelek

                                  Cool. Keep me posted :)

                                  M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  Lost User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  Will do. I may ask you or one of the other experienced article writers for assistance when publishing. I haven't written an online article in several years and never for CP. :-D

                                  When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

                                  N 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    Will do. I may ask you or one of the other experienced article writers for assistance when publishing. I haven't written an online article in several years and never for CP. :-D

                                    When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others. Same thing when you are stupid.

                                    N Offline
                                    N Offline
                                    Nelek
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #26

                                    I will gladly give you my opinion and help as I can, but... 1) I am not english speaker, 2) I am not that experienced author 3) I usually get hit by weird bugs My badge is for "protector", who you are looking for are the "menthor" ones. If you have any issue, question about the process you might ask in Article Writing Discussion Boards[^]. People over there are experienced writers.

                                    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • realJSOPR realJSOP

                                      Really? Citing a six-year-old article ain't exactly relevant...

                                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                                      D Offline
                                      D Offline
                                      dandy72
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                                      Really? Citing a six-year-old article ain't exactly relevant...

                                      Tell that to the hardcode Linux users who are still nerd-raging about stuff MS did in the 90s.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • T thewazz

                                        Troy Hunt: Mmm... Pi-hole...[^] relevant? i forget now...

                                        B Offline
                                        B Offline
                                        BryanFazekas
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        Pi-Hole sounds great. I have a PI3 sitting on my desk ... time to play ... Be interesting to see what it does to Microsoft telemetry.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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