Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
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Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#2I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.)
Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install".
I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that I turned off (all on by default) before I felt comfortable using the OS. (Examples: send all search words back to MS, tie advertising info to your Windows account, etc etc)
I'm assuming most users would chose the "Express Install" without even wondering about what data they were sending back to MS.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#3I seem to vaguely remember some internet story about how these embedded UUIDs were used to de-mask a person by matching an UUID from a document with a known author against an incriminating document. Or was it matching an Ethernet card's MAC address to an UUID in the .doc? Can't remember any details now.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#4I am nostalgic for a Windows I can PAY for that minimizes my participation in the "I am the product" monetization world.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#5Yeah, old days. Now when installing Windows 10, we have to choose custom install and make many unchecking at least to be able to say "if they do what they say, they won't track me"..
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#6Switched from Microsoft products in 1999, back when Palladium started. That was offensive enough. This is downright disgusting.
I always ask co-workers how much liberty Windows users are willing to sacrifice to continue using their systems. Seems even I underestimated with Windows 10.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#7I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install". I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that…
I agree. I was quite shocked myself and I also found the descriptions vague. I wasn't even sure what programs are accessing the data.
I really think iOS is the only OS has really done permissions right on the 3rd party level and on the OS level.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#8Yeah, old days. Now when installing Windows 10, we have to choose custom install and make many unchecking at least to be able to say "if they do what they say, they won't track me"..
"If" is definitely a word I take to the bank.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#9I seem to vaguely remember some internet story about how these embedded UUIDs were used to de-mask a person by matching an UUID from a document with a known author against an incriminating document. Or was it matching an Ethernet card's MAC address to an UUID in the .doc? Can't remember any details now.
There is very little anonymity in the real world in terms of computing at this point. You would have to be extremely careful to truly mask any electronic media being used as any kind of communication platform, online or offline.
Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)
#10I seem to vaguely remember some internet story about how these embedded UUIDs were used to de-mask a person by matching an UUID from a document with a known author against an incriminating document. Or was it matching an Ethernet card's MAC address to an UUID in the .doc? Can't remember any details now.
I think you're thinking of the Melissa virus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_(computer_virus) which did indeed get tracked back to its author like that.