VIDEO Microsoft Increases Secrecy; Expands Spyware to Windows 7 and 8

Microsoft intensifies data collection on Windows 7 and 8 systems

By Martin Brinkmann on August 28, 2015 in Windows - Last Update: August 28, 2015 60

Microsoft has been criticized by privacy advocates in regards to the data hunger of its Windows 10 operating system. The operating system slurps data like there is no tomorrow, especially when systems are set up using the express settings.

Experienced users may disable telemetry and data collection partially during setup, and then some more afterwards using the Registry or Group Policy.

What makes this problematic however is the fact that it is nearly impossible to stop all of the data collecting that is taking place.

While users may disable some, for instance by using privacy tools (of which there are plenty), others cannot be disabled or stopped that easily, for instance because of hardcoded host and IP address information that bypass the Hosts file of the operating system.

Windows 7 and 8

Update KB3068708

Windows 7 and 8 users have been plagued by "upgrade preparation" updates but left alone otherwise up until recently when it comes to this new level of data collecting.

This changed recently with the release of several updates for both operating systems that step up the game.


READ MORE

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/28/microsoft-intensifies-data-collection-on-windows-7-and-8-systems/

 

Microsoft accused of adding spy features to Windows 7, 8

The privacy impact of Windows' telemetry features continues to be scrutinized.
Windows' network activity continues to be scrutinized amid privacy concerns. Windows 10 was first put under the microscope with both new and old features causing concern. With its Cortana digital personal assistant, Windows 10 represents a new breed of operating system that incorporates extensive online services as an integral part of the platform. But its older predecessors haven't escaped attention, and questions are now being asked of Windows 7 and 8's online connectivity.

Windows 8 included many of the same online features as are now raising hackles around the Internet. While it had no Cortana, it nonetheless integrated Web and local search, supported logging in and syncing settings with Microsoft Account, included online storage of encryption keys, and so on and so forth. While a few privacy advocates expressed concern at these features when the operating system was first released, the response was far more muted than the one we see today about Windows 10. But a new addition has led to accusations that Windows 8 now mimics one of Windows 10's more problematic features: it reports information to Microsoft even when told not to.
read more
http://arstechnica.com/information-...ccused-of-adding-spy-features-to-windows-7-8/

 

Microsoft slips anti-privacy gear into Windows 7 and 8 - S
Not happy with putting in “features” into Windows 10 which many fear might be spying on them, Microsoft has been quietly retro-fitting similar software into Windows 7 and 8. -
http://www.techeye.net/news/microsoft-slips-anti-privacy-gear-into-windows-7-and-8

Microsoft backports privacy-invading Windows 10 features to Windows 7, 8
http://www.extremetech.com/computin...cy-invading-windows-10-features-to-windows-7-

 

Microsoft Retrofitting Windows 7, 8.1 With Windows 10's Privacy-Invading 'Features'
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...h-windows-10s-privacy-invading-features.shtml

Microsoft's Remarkable Pivot: Windows 10 Abandons Privacy
http://www.darkreading.com/endpoint...bandons-privacy/a/d-id/1322027?_mc=RSS_DR_EDT

Microsoft is adding Windows 10 monitoring functionality to Windows 7 and 8
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...0-monitoring-functionality-to-windows-7-and-8

Just Like Windows 10, Windows 7 and 8 Also Spy on You ? Here?s How to Stop Them (09-02-2015
http://thehackernews.com/2015/08/windows-spying-on-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheHackersNews+(The+Hackers+News+-+Security+Blog)

 

VIDEO Microsoft Increases Secrecy; Expands Spyware to Windows 7 and 8


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff6y2f0eIRw