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Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

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ajkula66
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Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#1 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Aug 23, 2015 5:33 pm

If you've chosen to stay away from W10 because of privacy concerns, you may want to be careful with Windows Updates these days, specifically one marked KB3068708

From Microsoft themselves:
This update introduces the Diagnostics and Telemetry tracking service to existing devices. By applying this service, you can add benefits from the latest version of Windows to systems that have not yet upgraded.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
Last edited by ajkula66 on Mon Aug 24, 2015 12:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#2 Post by coolcat37 » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:51 pm

More information here: http://www.techworm.net/2015/08/new-win ... ws-10.html

If anyone knows a good website/blog/forum where privacy and data protection in Windows 7 are being actively discussed and updated please do post the link here.

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#3 Post by pianowizard » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:52 pm

Great! This means it's time to downgrade to Vista!

Coincidentally, I just installed Vista on a Dell OptiPlex 745 at work. As you know, I am a huge Vista fan.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#4 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Aug 23, 2015 7:25 pm

pianowizard wrote:Great! This means it's time to downgrade to Vista!
I don't own a single system with a Vista COA otherwise I might be contemplating the very same path myself.

However, I spent the entire day yesterday using CentOS and am inclined to believe that I'll be migrating towards it one machine at the time...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#5 Post by erik » Sun Aug 23, 2015 7:36 pm

below is my privacy registry file for Server 2008 R2.   most of it should translate to windows 7, although i suggest double-checking before applying in bulk.   i've been using this since 2008 R2 was released and never caught a deployed server "calling home."

all settings can be cross-referenced against the Group Policy matrices available here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... x?id=25250

with these enabled, any of the KBs mentioned above should be rendered inoperable even if installed.

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection]
"AllowTelemetry"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection]
"AllowTelemetry"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting]
"Disabled"=dword:00000001
"DontSendAdditionalData"=dword:00000001
"LoggingDisabled"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting]
"Disabled"=dword:00000001
"DontSendAdditionalData"=dword:00000001
"LoggingDisabled"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting]
"DoReport"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"DisableSearchHistory"=dword:00000001
"NoUseStoreOpenWith"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"NoUseStoreOpenWith"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client]
"CEIP"=dword:00000002

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client]
"CEIP"=dword:00000002

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows]
"CEIPEnable"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowIndexingEncryptedStoresOrItems"=dword:00000000
"DisableWebSearch"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat]
"DisableUAR"=dword:00000001
"AITEnable"=dword:00000000
"DisableInventory"=dword:00000001
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ajkula66
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#6 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Aug 23, 2015 7:49 pm

^^^^^^^

Thank you, sir! Your solutions are highly appreciated.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#7 Post by hhhd1 » Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:53 am

ajkula66 wrote:
pianowizard wrote:Great! This means it's time to downgrade to Vista!
I don't own a single system with a Vista COA otherwise I might be contemplating the very same path myself.
Windows 7 pro and 8 pro should be eligible for free downgrade to Vista business, I do not know how to do it though.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista
Downgrade rights

For Windows 8 licenses acquired through an OEM, a user may downgrade to the equivalent edition of Windows Vista. Customers licensed for use of Windows 8 Enterprise are generally licensed for Windows 8 Pro, which may be downgraded to Windows Vista Business. End users of licenses of Windows 7 acquired through OEM or volume licensing may downgrade to the equivalent edition of Windows Vista. Downgrade rights are not offered for Starter, Home Basic or Home Premium editions of Windows 7.
===

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#8 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:25 am

coolcat37 wrote:More information here: http://www.techworm.net/2015/08/new-win ... ws-10.html
The above "techworm" info has already been improved, see: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=118819

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#9 Post by Temetka » Mon Aug 24, 2015 5:57 am

And this is why I use Windows 10 only for work and 1 Unity web game. Otherwise I am in linux.

That being said, I don't use pirated software so I have nothing to fear from that vector. I'm still not kosher with Microsoft scanning my files / hard disk.

Let's say a user had some copies of the NSA classified documents that Edward Snowden released on their hard disk and Microsoft found out. I'm 99.9% sure they'd notify the Feds. The lesson here kiddo's is to not have classified documents without the appropriate kids. If you must, don't have them anywhere where Windows can find them.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#10 Post by pianowizard » Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:05 am

hhhd1 wrote:Windows 7 pro and 8 pro should be eligible for free downgrade to Vista business, I do not know how to do it though.
Probably by using Windows installation discs made by the computer's manufacturer. I have most experience with Dell desktops and so I will use them as an example. Oftentimes, when I use Dell's discs to install a version of Windows that's either one generation newer or older than the COA sticker, Windows is activated automatically, without asking for the COA key.
Temetka wrote:Let's say a user had some copies of the NSA classified documents
Such documents should only be on computers that are completely disconnected from the internet.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#11 Post by erik » Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:50 am

pw - if you don't proactively lock down telemetry in vista then you're no better off than 7.   7 is arguably more secure, especially if installing only the security KBs and skipping those flagged as recommended or optional.   every KB mentioned as problematic for personal privacy have been recommended/optional, not mandatory.

applocker and EMET are worth it for 7 alone (although applocker is only available in the ultimate/enterprise/server flavors).   if you aren't using applocker with default rules enabled then you're missing out on an easy and effective tool in mitigating virus/malware/spyware installations, regardless of any AV software you might be using.

if you prefer vista for other reasons then that's another discussion entirely.   personally, i wouldn't select vista for privacy reasons, especially if hoping that the out-of-box installation is inherently more private than other windows flavors.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#12 Post by coolcat37 » Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:55 am

erik wrote:pw - if you don't proactively lock down telemetry in vista then you're no better off than 7.   7 is arguably more secure, especially if installing only the security KBs and skipping those flagged as recommended or optional.   every KB mentioned as problematic for personal privacy have been recommended/optional, not mandatory.

applocker and EMET are worth it for 7 alone (although applocker is only available in the ultimate/enterprise/server flavors).   if you aren't using applocker with default rules enabled then you're missing out on an easy and effective tool in mitigating virus/malware/spyware installations, regardless of any AV software you might be using.

if you prefer vista for other reasons then that's another discussion entirely.   personally, i wouldn't select vista for privacy reasons, especially if hoping that the out-of-box installation is inherently more private than other windows flavors.
But hasn't life support for Vista ended either way?

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#13 Post by ajkula66 » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:00 am

coolcat37 wrote: But hasn't life support for Vista ended either way?
I believe that some editions of Vista are under "extended" support until sometime in 2017.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#14 Post by dr_st » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:02 am

I think all of them are.
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Re: Telemetry (spying) now introduced in W7 and W8.x through WU

#15 Post by erik » Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:36 am

coolcat37 wrote:But hasn't life support for Vista ended either way?
vista support ends 2017/04/11.   windows 7 extends to 2020/01/14.

whether or not MS telemetry accepts data from vista machines after that date remains to be seen.   since it's the OS that pushes anything collected, MS's servers will likely listen for anything sent regardless of the source.   this is why one must be proactive and not rely on the OS itself to fall under an assumed veil of privacy, especially in enterprise.   the group policy and security policy tools exist for anyone willing or knowledgeable enough to use them.
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