Updates Make Windows 7 and 8 Spy on You Like Windows 10

FYI, you can't disable telemetry on Win10 unless you have enterprise edition, but you can select levels.

.... aaaand Windows Update Automatic Updates is getting disabled.

Article text, since the site seems to be down:

Windows 10 has been launched and already installed on more than 50 million computers worldwide. It is now a known fact that Windows 10 user data is being sent back to Microsoft servers back in Redmond, Washington. Well, now new updates that are being deployed to all Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 machines will turn their computers into a big piece of spyware, just like their predecessor, Windows 10.

The updates in question are KB3075249 and KB3080149. if installed, these updates are known to report your data back to Microsoft servers, without user interaction. KB3075249 Microsoft Update adds telemetry points to ‘consent.exe’ in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, allowing for remote monitoring of everything that happens within the operating system. KB3080149 ensures that all “down-level devices” receive the same updates and treatment as Windows 10 boxes get.

As you would guess, forums are lit up with speculation on these updates and more. Below you can find a list of other Windows updates that some users have questioned. Please keep in mind, avoiding some or all of these updates may cause your environment to be unstable and/or unsecure.

KB2505438 KB2670838 – Windows 7 Only (corrupts AERO and blurry fonts on some websites) KB2952664 KB2976978 – Windows 8 only KB3021917 KB3035583 KB3075249

A Linux machine with two ethernet cards acting as a firewall to the internet?

In general I'd say the inclination to delete a comment because it's being down-voted is... not good. Don't try so hard to conform to what appears to be the local public sentiment.

(EDIT: or, if it's a threat to delete if you don't get upvotes, also lame)