As a privacy nut, is it safe

[cytg111]

Is it safe to install windows10 now? With all the telemetry logging and not all of it being disable-able, the host file ignoring certain ms endpoints (telemtetry again) and so on.
I am still on 8.1, halted the updates that would put telemetry on..
As a windows user, what do i do. I use windows to game and hack about, but thats it, I am quite familiar with unix env. but have not made the transition due to, well, the gaming aspect.
Feeling its time to make the final jump and dual boot into a ½T SSD with win10+steam for gaming and otherwise do mint or gentoo with virtualboxes win7/8/10 for the hacking-about business.
Bottom line, can I have privacy faith in windows10? (- or rather microsoft cause no windows is THAT safe)

 

[Berryracer]

O&O ShutUp10 - Do not use Windows 10 without it!
Also, add these entries in you router and in your local windows Hosts file:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    127.0.0.1       localhost
#    ::1             localhost

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 bi.bisrv.com
127.0.0.1 www.softonic.com
127.0.0.1 softonic.com
127.0.0.1 sourceforge.net
127.0.0.1 www.bestvistadownloads.com
127.0.0.1 image.online-convert.com/convert-to-ico
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com.s3.amazonaws.com
127.0.0.1 media.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 api.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 offer.alibaba.com
127.0.0.1 t.nuvidp.com
127.0.0.1 data.causingcopeirritating.info
127.0.0.1 a.ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 a.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1 a.ads2.msn.com
127.0.0.1 ads1.msads.net
127.0.0.1 ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 adsmockarc.azurewebsites.net
127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com
127.0.0.1 b.ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 b.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1 bingads.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sb.scorecardresearch.com
127.0.0.1 spynet2.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 spynetalt.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 survey.watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 settings-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.live.com
127.0.0.1 watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com.nstac.net
127.0.0.1 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
::1 localhost

 

[Magic Carpet]

It's safe enough, but you will have to babysit Windows 10 for its entire life unless of course you choose to disable updates & home calling at the firewall level. Most people are already getting used to the idea that "they don't control" their computers anymore. Scrutinizing every update will turn your life to hell. Mark my words. Take it or leave it (there are plenty of alternative operating systems to choose from). And if you are a gamer, you don't really need Windows 10 until we start seeing games coded for it. Don't be a beta tester, enjoy life.

From EULA:

We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices.

In action:

Sorry if this has been mentioned here already, but I've just noticed this. IIRC MS mentioned that Windows 10 could remove "unauthorised" software before, and it looks like it's now happening. I've just confirmed on two systems (both x86, one home, one pro) that the build 10586 update will delete the MS Windows 7 games (Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc.) if you've previously added them. On one system the executables were replaced with 0 byte files, on the other they were deleted outright.

This is crossing a line as far as I'm concerned, and very troubling behavior from MS.

O&O ShutUp10 - Do not use Windows 10 without it!

This utility can also break things, limiting you in functionality. Backup first.

 

[rob426]

We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices.

Doesn't this, only apply to games or apps installed from the windows store ?

 

[Magic Carpet]

Doesn't this, only apply to games or apps installed from the windows store ?

I thought, that was the case. Until I saw user reports such as the one above after the TH2 update.

 

[lxskllr]

A privacy nut doesn't use Windows. Windows users may range from 'not caring' to 'mildly concerned' about privacy, but not a nut.

 

[Berryracer]

This utility can also break things, limiting you in functionality. Backup first.

Been using it since months brah, I've tried others and this is the only one that didn't actually break things nor contained malware.

 

[adamantine.me]

Yeah I wouldn't hold your breath. I go back into the settings menu and look at privacy settings sometimes - after every few updates or so there is a new service/app that is checked ON to give data, use cam/mic, whatever. Although the "global" setting remains checked off, if that makes any sense.

 

[LPCTech]

Step one, set up secure nix pc of some kind for privacy. Use for private things

Step two, Only use windows 10 PC for things you are not worried about privacy for.

Dont bother trying to "hack" win 10 for the rest of your life cuz its gonna keep changing.

Commercial software of all kinds including OSs are just not private anymore.

Large companies want your data and the price of using their products is giving up the info.

Unless you are committing crimes, or plan to be a politician one day I wouldn't worry about it all that much.

 

[HeXen]

Like it matters, most everyone's SS#'s, medical info, passwords...etc has been hacked and stolen from corporate servers at one point in time or another. So I fail to see what a big deal Windows 10 is about it. It's what info you have on servers is what everyone should be concerned about.
From Anthem insurance, PSN, Steam, Target...I'm sure the list goes on in regards to stolen private information and likely will never end.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Been using it since months brah, I've tried others and this is the only one that didn't actually break things nor contained malware.

After using it, I lost the ability of seeing "Last Used files" in Windows Explorer, of course, reverting back all the changes, didn't fix that. That's why a proper backup is essential.

Like it matters, most everyone's SS#'s, medical info, passwords...etc has been hacked and stolen from corporate servers at one point in time or another. So I fail to see what a big deal Windows 10 is about it.

If you are on a battery-powered device, the less writes/cycles an OS/CPU has to perform the better. So this kind of optimization still makes sense, but must be done carefully.

Step one, set up secure nix pc of some kind for privacy. Use for private things

Step two, Only use windows 10 PC for things you are not worried about privacy for.

Dont bother trying to "hack" win 10 for the rest of your life cuz its gonna keep changing.

Commercial software of all kinds including OSs are just not private anymore.

Large companies want your data and the price of using their products is giving up the info.

Unless you are committing crimes, or plan to be a politician one day I wouldn't worry about it all that much.

Well written :thumbsup:

 

[balloonshark]

Considering Windows 8.1 telemetry started spinning up my non-OS HDD's and calling Singapore I don't see dual booting as a safe solution. If I upgrade I will use Win10 for gaming only and another PC for everything else. Either that or I just say screw it and go with Linux on one machine.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

O&O ShutUp10 - Do not use Windows 10 without it!

Also, add these entries in you router and in your local windows Hosts file:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    127.0.0.1       localhost
#    ::1             localhost

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 bi.bisrv.com
127.0.0.1 www.softonic.com
127.0.0.1 softonic.com
127.0.0.1 sourceforge.net
127.0.0.1 www.bestvistadownloads.com
127.0.0.1 image.online-convert.com/convert-to-ico
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com.s3.amazonaws.com
127.0.0.1 media.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 api.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 offer.alibaba.com
127.0.0.1 t.nuvidp.com
127.0.0.1 data.causingcopeirritating.info
127.0.0.1 a.ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 a.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1 a.ads2.msn.com
127.0.0.1 ads1.msads.net
127.0.0.1 ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 adsmockarc.azurewebsites.net
127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com
127.0.0.1 b.ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1 b.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1 bingads.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sb.scorecardresearch.com
127.0.0.1 spynet2.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 spynetalt.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 survey.watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 settings-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.live.com
127.0.0.1 watson.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com.nstac.net
127.0.0.1 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
::1 localhost

When did Sourceforge turn evil?

 

[balloonshark]

When did Sourceforge turn evil?

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/17/sourceforges-new-installer-bundles-program-downloads-with-adware/

http://arstechnica.com/information-...unt-wraps-installer-in-bundle-pushing-adware/

Nothing a Windows 10 user should worry about since they are ok with spyware and adware.

 

[Mushkins]

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/17/sourceforges-new-installer-bundles-program-downloads-with-adware/

http://arstechnica.com/information-...unt-wraps-installer-in-bundle-pushing-adware/

Nothing a Windows 10 user should worry about since they are ok with spyware and adware.

That still has absolutely nothing to do with blocking Windows 10 Telemetry.

Blocking sourceforge is not required to block Windows 10 Telemetry, Berryracer probably just already had that in there and copy/pasted his whole hosts file.

 

[Underclocked]

I use two utilities - O&O Shutup10 and Spybot Search & Destroy's Spybot Anti-Beacon version 1.5. Anti-Beacon adds some telemetry blocks that Shutup10 misses and it also works on 7/8.1 .

I'm sure both are a violation of the EULA.

 

[cytg111]

Yea, was afraid of this.. I knew most of these things were happening.. I also know that MS ships their product to several governmental entities and therefor conclueded at there must be a way to 'lock it down'. Guess not? Where be the lawsuits?

I will not be 'paying' with my privacy .. and screw their "big data" hubris.

 

[Mushkins]

Yea, was afraid of this.. I knew most of these things were happening.. I also know that MS ships their product to several governmental entities and therefor conclueded at there must be a way to 'lock it down'. Guess not? Where be the lawsuits?

I will not be 'paying' with my privacy .. and screw their "big data" hubris.

Government entities are using the Enterprise version of the OS, which has none of the telemetry stuff in it.

You can always purchase an Enterprise license of Windows 10 and install that if you want. They're only available with volume licensing plans for businesses though.

You can stomp your feet and say "Not my privacy" until you're blue in the face, but at the end of the day you don't get to have your cake and eat it too. This is their product and their rules. If you don't like it you're welcome to use a different OS instead of Windows.

 

[cytg111]

So .. Enterprise version it is then.

 

[JEDIYoda]

So .. Enterprise version it is then.

so mucho $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ it is then!!!

 

[HeXen]

Originally Posted by HeXen
Like it matters, most everyone's SS#'s, medical info, passwords...etc has been hacked and stolen from corporate servers at one point in time or another. So I fail to see what a big deal Windows 10 is about it.

If you are on a battery-powered device, the less writes/cycles an OS/CPU has to perform the better. So this kind of optimization still makes sense, but must be done carefully.

Well that was an interesting response.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Well that was an interesting response.

I think it's fair to assume that a real enthusiast that is carefully looking after his/her system would like the ability to disable things that she/he deems not needed, much in the same way you compile a kernel in *nix, disabling all the irrelevant stuff for your machine. Windows 10 Enterprise is what Windows 10 Pro should have been really. The tenner's "Pro" version feels more like "Home" version of the old Windows XP days.

The biggest problem with Windows 10 Home & Pro versions is not the telemetry imo, but the inability to control the update system. Even with some tweaking you can disable it, but can't choose what updates to install and what not. I don't want things like that to happen and then scratching my ass what the f*** has just gone wrong.

 

[Underclocked]

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB version should have been Windows 10 Pro. So far as I am aware the regular enterprise versions still pack a considerable amount of spyware.

I have to say that I see no valid justification for their even being a Windows 10, let alone one with all the nonsense packaged within. Nothing I've seen on my system shows me the OS offers nothing worth a complete OS "upgrade" ... while it does remove things that were useful.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB version should have been Windows 10 Pro. So far as I am aware the regular enterprise versions still pack a considerable amount of spyware.

I am not aware of spyware included in the Enterprise edition, but I haven't studied it yet, so maybe you are right. Same with LTSB, but I like the exclusion of Edge and Metro apps/Windows store though. It's much slower with updates however, and time will tell how well gaming-wise it's going to be. If games require patches for Windows 10, not sure how quick it will handle that.

I have to say that I see no valid justification for their even being a Windows 10, let alone one with all the nonsense packaged within. Nothing I've seen on my system shows me the OS offers nothing worth a complete OS "upgrade" ... while it does remove things that were useful.

Yeah, that is a mystery to me as well. Windows 7 had a great suite of programs, games and desktop GUI. Then tablets came on... such a bad influence, huh? And what ever happened to Windows 9, I don't want to know. Microsoft must have been in an agony of some sort.

 

[Mushkins]

Yeah, that is a mystery to me as well. Windows 7 had a great suite of programs, games and desktop GUI. Then tablets came on... such a bad influence, huh? And what ever happened to Windows 9, I don't want to know. Microsoft must have been in an agony of some sort.

There's more to an OS than the user interface. Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 all have *considerable* code improvements under the hood. Will you as the end user ever notice most of them? No, but that's the point of a well optimized operating system, it gives you more of your resources to do what you want with them.

Also I have no idea what you mean by a "great suite of programs, games..." All of that is third party software that has nothing to do with the OS or Microsoft, and unless it's an ancient piece of software no longer being supported it all still works on Windows 10.