New Windows 10 privacy controls: Just a little snooping – or the max Microsoft has built an online dashboard of privacy controls in an attempt to soothe lingering anger over Windows 10 and its ability to phone home people's private information. The new web portal lists some of the personal data that is collected from PCs and devices and sent back to Redmond, and allows people to somewhat limit …
To repeat what I've posted in another topic earlier (slightly modified):
The privacy (and forced update) problems are easily solved - install W10, make sure it is activated and has all the drivers installed... then disconnect it from the Internet (Network Adapter disabled in Control Panel) before it installs any other updates and install Linux Mint in a dual boot with all Internet activity restricted to Mint only. Just like I've done with Windows 7 on my other solid state drive.
I also ran O&O's ShutUp10 to disable all the annoying Windows 10 stuff - even if it can't access the Internet I'm sure it'll still keep bugging you about wanting to go online all the time.
The result? A nice, easy to manage Windows 10 installation which doesn't annoy you and can't phone home to MS.
I might do the same thing when the 'Creator's Update' is released in April.
Windows (any version) is just too much of a hassle to use online these days.
The issue is that Linux /desktop/ still doesn't have much in the way of support from commercial software providers. Personally I think that's a shame, but it's the way it is.
I'm rather annoyed with Apple for hiking its prices that much, but I suspect that will be rolled back at some point when the sales show that not to be one of the best moves ever, because macOS seems to be the only viable alternative to Windows (unless you count earlier versions of Windows, of course).
Unless, of course, Apple has realised it would not be able to address the demand unless it slows it down with high pricing - maybe it is creating the price margin to absorb the costs of onshoring manufacturing to play Trump's game.
"The issue is that Linux /desktop/ still doesn't have much in the way of support from commercial software providers. Personally I think that's a shame, but it's the way it is."
That aspect is getting better for two reasons. Firstly, there has been an increase in software companies starting to make provisions for Linux in a number of areas including office suites, photo processing, desktop publishing, etc. such as Softmaker Office, Polarr, Pixeluvo, VivaDesigner and so on.
Secondly, there has also been a more general move to online apps, like Pixlr, and software as a service, such as Quickbooks. That means that there's now quite a reasonable range of free and paid-for programmes and services that are the available for the Linux platform.
The better option is to install (say) Linux Mint, then (say) VirtualBox, and finally Windows (your preferred version) inside the virtual machine. Then disable all Windows internet connectivity. Absolutely and finally.
You now have a fast, stable, fully functional PC with an equally fast, stable version of Windows inside it which is available at the touch of a button. Both OSs running simultaneously on the same machine. If Windows ever needs to talk to the internet - why would you ever want it to? - it can do so safely through the host system.
Simples.
The better option is to install (say) Linux Mint, then (say) VirtualBox, and finally Windows (your preferred version) inside the virtual machine. Then disable all Windows internet connectivity. Absolutely and finally.
Although I like the idea (also because it brings some much needed stability to Windows), I suspect this will be a swine to manage in a production environment. That said, you do have a point in that it may be worth blocking Win10 from talking to its masters but that approach has a problem in both VM and "naked" version: you still need it to patch, and that is pretty much an open gateway.
You don't know what it transmits during patch time - that might as well be a condensed archive from all the data it has managed to grab so far but had to buffer because it was blocked until then.
When I've needed to use Photoshop or play old Windows games, I've ran a VM with Windows 7 inside it. Gave it enough RAM and CPU, and it's ran like a charm. I also introduced this to my team (consisting of me and 2 others) and it ran fine. Windows never needed to access the internet, so we didn't give it internet access. So the fact it was cut off and only accessed a shared folder on our hard drives (so we could swap files from Linux to Windows, handy for keeping your collection of ISO's off of the VM) it wasn't a security risk really.
I approve of this method, basically.
"it may be worth blocking Win10 from talking to its masters but ... in both VM and "naked" version: you still need it to patch"
Why?
You don't need to protect against the big bad internet it doesn't see.
If it's working as you need it to work you don't need to change it (especially if, as in some cases, the patch makes it stop working as you want).
If it's not working as you want you should have installed something else that did in the first place.
To be honest, keeping a VM and a full Windows install to run a few programs feels like keeping a full blown Linde hydraulic drive forklift truck around because you occasionally need to move one pallet around - enough of a costly overkill to suggest a search for a better alternative.
"enough of a costly overkill to suggest a search for a better alternative."
Well if you can go speak to Adobe and get them to release a Linux version of Photoshop, and if you could also speak to Eidos to get them to re-release Championship Manager 99/00 for Linux I'd appreciate it.
You go first though, we're right behind you.
I'm a bit puzzled I moved over to Windows 10 from apple just as a change and because I found it far easier to get different pieces of hardware to work and communicate and also to interact with what I do at work. Apple always cost an arm and a leg and would only communicate with other Apple devices unlike windows which seem to work well and without needing a degree in computing infrastructure.
I have had several people come to me recently and said about this telemetry stuff and I would be better using Linux its 10 times better than Windows.
Now here is the puzzling bit they went on to explain how to set it up similar to what as been described here and other posts.
I ask the same question here as I asked them, if Linux is so good why would I still need to use Windows10 there answer was, its because some of the things I do on Windows10 would not work with Linux which was also one of the other reasons I moved over from Apple.
Don't get me wrong Windows 10 is not perfect and it did take a while to get used to but it does everything I want and its quick, as for telemetry I realised the first day I used a computer and had an email and signed up to a couple of things on the internet my privacy had gone. And I would challenge anyone even on this forum to say there privacy is intact.
"as for telemetry I realised the first day I used a computer and had an email and signed up to a couple of things on the internet my privacy had gone. And I would challenge anyone even on this forum to say there [sic] privacy is intact."
So you equate, for example, being in a telephone book, with having microphones installed in your home for monitoring you?
Personally I see a vast difference.
Maybe it's just me, but these questions just keep coming back to me...
Why do I have to pay for a OS that I don't own and/ or doesn't do exactly what I want it to do?
Why should I get W10 and use it (as suggested here) in a blacked out VM set up, if I can also do this with W7, or even, God forbid, with the excellent XP copy I have in the cupboard here?
(I also have WfW on 5.25 here if you want, but won't hassle you with those...)
Now, I realise I probably will trigger educated remarks about "up-to-date" software, and "do the things you couldn't do before". But FFS, how many users do you know that use the full 100% of their machines/ OS/ software? And how much different is typing an email or letter in Office 97 compared to Word Online or Office 365? To use some marketing dribble you probably heard before: The only limitation to your achievements is your own imagination!
I agree. I'm a happy Mint Linux KDE user. i have versions 17.3 and 18 in use on various computers at home and work.
The only thing I need Windows for at this point is Solidworks CAD.
These days Mint Linux installs itself on any computer I test it out on. Not saying that there aren't problem computers out there but I'm not finding them.
That's one of my biggest gripes with Win10... ads in the OS. That should be just "no. not now. not ever"... If malvertising gets through.. you're screwed. But at more basic level... I buy the OS, so ad should not even be an option or available. Sadly, MS is so greedy, they don't care.
Maybe some of us will do a startup for something like AdBlock for the OS?
Too little, too late the damage to trust is already done and they already have most of the data from the Win10 user base.
I can't see the embedded remote control capabilities and listening in on voice being compatible with basic confidentiality, security and regulatory requirements as it's not possible to guarantee who has access to the data processed on client pc's
Indeed, our test system has reset it's privacy settings 3 times now, we turn off all the privacy spew, a few months later, it's all back on. We remove farmville and candy crush, 2 days later, it's all back.
The damage is done, the free version of Windows 10 was always an advertisement and privacy leaking promotion. You tell us everything, and install what we get kickbacks on, and we will let you have it for free..
Absolutely agree, the damage has been severely done. What Microsoft has ADMITTED to is just the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone running Windows 10 has a computer system open to who knows. A user's browsing history may contain embarrassments which could be used against them at a later date. Of course, 'clearing' the collected data means that the data is probably hidden and not deleted.
The NSA must be very grateful for the browser history - I can understand the NSA needing to collect data but it shouldn't be done at the expense of everyone's privacy.
It's not just too little too late. It requires user to sign in to their web portal (presumably with MS account) and - effectively - embrace assault on privacy that MS started with Windows 8. You may as well chose express settings during Windows setup. You can't win with Windows 10. You can only be assimilated
Trojan horse is very relevant title considering in the bigger context how the US tech giants collude with US Uni's, US Military & US Govt, despite the charade of creating laws in order to attempt to hold the moral high ground, whilst secretly screwing the rest of world in a variety of ways.
To be honest the backlash against the US and its various entities will be like a mega tsunami of anger built up over decades as the collective though processes of people around the world finally catch up and understand just what exactly these entities have been doing, testing the theory that empires crumble slowly considering how viral news moves today, in todays technological world.
They will attempt to "monetize" the data in any way they could. And the same data can be stolen, one day. The fact they can give them to governments is just one of the issues.
The main one is they are breaking fundamental human rights behind the "improvements" finger - but it's all about easy money. Great software requires great people and big efforts. Stealing user data, any Zuckerberg, Schmidt or Nadella could do.
Windows 10 was the tipping point that stopped me buying PC / Laptop gear. Its even stopped me from wanting to go into tech shops. That's a first!... IoT smart fridge hype, Android, Facebook, Google search, Gmail I could largely avoid... But not this as you've made it personal... So now I belong to the church of FOSS and there's no going back!
It's easy to fix the issues with Windows 10 - wipe the disk and install Windows XP - sure, it's got a few issues with the Internet but if you are behind a decent firewall (pfSense etc) and don't use the Internet then it's great and leaks zero information.
OK - so to a degree this is a dumb idea but what's the alternative? It makes little difference what you do on the internet, you are only one Malvert or email away from being owned.
If you are taking the computer off the network then at least run Win7. If you are looking for a happy middle ground and need the internet AND Windows - then Win7 is still viable.
Win8 and Win10 are a mess.
NO WAY would I work on any sensitive projects with a computer dumping intel to the government or Microsoft servers. Might as well be using a tablet or smart phone with no real control over the firewall or privacy settings.
Same here. For the first time in over 10 years, no new hardware because of Windows 10, nothing worthwhile to upgrade to. Just keeping the current systems going, upgrading RAM and drives where possible and looking for compatible second hand gear. I've got 14 systems, zero new hardware for the last year.
Any hardware manufacturer which supports Microsoft's controlling tactics will be written off as a bad joke and placed in the same category of 'avoid at all costs'.
"Like Intel and AMD? If you avoid those, not sure what you're running x86 software on..."
While I'm not the person to whom that question was directed, I'll answer as if I was...
Yes, exactly like what's being offered by Intel and AMD.
What you can run your software on is older Intel and AMD hardware that isn't any longer being offered, but which will always be available anyway due to the massive numbers in which it was produced in its day.
It's not at all like it was in the 90s, when a CPU a few years out of production meant the system was just too old to run any modern software anymore. We're into the seventh generation of the i3/i5/i7 line from Intel, and I still don't have any compelling reason to consider upgrading from my second-generation i5. Even my Core 2 Duo laptop holds its own and runs Windows 7 quite well and does everything I ask of it; I have no plans to retire it any time soon either.
After every main update to Win 10, I go grab the latest version from O&O and run it again, just in case!
I have noticed items that were previously disabled, have occasionally switched themselves back on after a patch!
Plus O&O do update the app, in sync with the Windows changes, so something turned off (or on) previously, they might now have changed their recommendation.
I also like that the O&O method, gets rid of Cortana, and Internet searches from the task bar, but still leaves you with a standard functional search box (for local apps/documents etc. Some other tools I've used, just got rid of the search bar completely, which i didn't want.
(It's very rare I ever launch the Start menu in Win 10, most everything I need is either Right click on Start, on my desktop, or a few characters typed into the search bar).
Isn't the irony just overflowing ? You have to go and declare yourself, handing over precious personal information in the process, in order to temporarily(*) put a stop to the information that Microsoft is already extracting greedily.
In short : you can't win.
That is what happens when companies confuse the ability to do something and the right to do it.
* : temporarily, because we all know that those choices will be reset every now and then, ala Facebook
You have to go and declare yourself.
You have to go and declare someone. To get started, Tesco's mobile costs £1 for a SIM plus £10 to load it if you need a burn phone. Local shops and pubs will have a postcode that is plausible when compared with ISP data and local searches for weather etc. that might otherwise betray the real user.
The same approach employed by Google. I have a permanent "urgent account action required" message from google on my phone as I refuse to agree to their data slurp, and the same message appears every time I get re-directed to You-tube.
Google wants you to either agree to their monitoring your browsing, or downloading a program that will identify that you do not want to be monitored. wtf?
Win10 is mostly dealt with by Spybot... for the time being, along with Thunderbird for mail, firefox for web, open office, etc. In essence, do not use any MS programs if you can help it.
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