In such questions, conceptual confusion very easily arises.
Many websites (and almost all) websites collect information about visitors. More precisely, they mark the visitor using cookies, so that advertising can then be targeted using these markers. You can go to a site like car.com yourself and check it in the developer console. It is this data that further distinguishes us among millions of Internet users.
If we talk about the OS, if data is sent, it is anonymous statistics about failures and system performance. Firefox, for example, itself asks what can and cannot be sent to developers (OC Debian, by the way, also during installation). These data do not make any sense given the small number of “respondents”. But in large quantities they really help improve the product in the future.
Regarding the rumor about Windows 10 specifically, it came from the fact that one technology blogger noticed that when the new Windows is first started, a small amount of data is transferred. No one has ultimately determined what this data is, so talk about “surveillance by State Department spies” can be safely thrown into the same basket as thoughts about aliens: in Baltimore, no one really cares what Pornhub categories you viewed. By the way, the same Pornhub, based on cookies (which were discussed in paragraph 2), makes very interesting analytics of user preferences: either by region, then by gender, etc.
Regarding voice assistants aka Siri, Cortana, Google Now, you need to be clearly aware that they do not “live” in your smartphone. These are complex AI systems (AI = artificial intelligence), which must be trained. Based on what? That's right: your requests. Those who watched Ex Machina may remember the moment when Oscar Isaac so breathlessly tells the young developer that the brain of the android he created is actually the Blue Book. This may be an exciting moment from a plot point of view, but it is an absolutely obvious fact from the point of view of how AI systems work.
Since we touched on smartphones, we can talk about them. The operating systems themselves most likely collect the same statistical data as desktop operating systems (although I never dug into the topic). The main interest lies in the applications: Android, for example, when installing something new, always shows a list of what privileges the program wants. Usually people blindly agree with him, but... besides, if you blindly agree with this list, you won’t even open an obviously cospirological question on The Question, right? So, for a couple of years there was a story of a free flashlight for Android that asked for access to data transfer and geolocation. Many people were not at all bothered by such requests from an application that simply keeps the built-in flash on. It's simple: there were no ads in the application, it was beautiful, free, and it worked. Because the developers made money not from embedded banners, but from the collected data, which was then sold to people involved in advertising (yes, this data sells well). However, application security is a completely different, very broad topic.
As a result, we can say: in the world of open data, where a random person from the metro can be found within a few hours using FindFace, where the concept of BigData has only been around for a year, because during this year there is no SmallData left, where are check-ins in Foursquare (Swarm ) help plan cities where rhythm watches can collect telemetry about your health and send it to a tablet to a doctor who may be on the other side of the world, talking about some kind of planned surveillance is very naive: you are either afraid of the big brothers, live in the forest and carry a foil hat; or just don’t worry about this issue. It's sad but true that the details of your life are likely to be of interest to far fewer people than you think.
Don't worry about trifles, don't read the news - it's harmful. Walk more in the fresh air, eat right, do exercises. Peace!
Because Windows 10 is the most current version"windows", it regularly releases new versions. To clarify some of the confusion with “builds,” we have put together a guide for you on the main “ten” builds. We also invite you to take part in a popular test - together we will choose the best build of Windows 10!
Editions, branches, builds of Windows 10: understanding version history
Before we talk about the “ten” assemblies, let’s clarify a little what we’re talking about. Windows 10, like any other software, is developed, then tested and finally released to the end user. Depending on the stage of testing and the target audience, the entire Windows 10 code base falls into logical categories:
- Editions(Editions) - system versions by end user type. There are four editions of Windows 10 for personal computers: Home(Home), Pro(Professional), Enterprise(Corporate) and Education(For educational institutions). Editions have a common code base, but differ in functions, duration technical support and cost.
- Branches(Branches) - versions of the general system code base. There are three of them: Insider Preview(unstable branch for testers), Current Branch or C.B.(stable branch for Home and Pro editions) and Current Branch for Business or C.B.B.(stable branch for Enterprise and Education editions). They differ in the frequency of updates: Insider Preview users receive all updates (and bugs along with them), Current Branch for Business users receive only the most well-tested and stable (that is, working without errors).
- Assemblies(Builds) - actually, sets of updates to the Windows 10 code base received by users of various editions and branches of Windows 10. Each build has a code number (for example, the last one has number 1803), the largest assemblies have code names (for example, Redstone 1). The largest “tens” builds also have “marketing” names - for example, April 2018 Update.
We will, in fact, talk about the largest assemblies (they are also called key ones). They are available to users of all editions of Windows. Each of them reached the Current Branch for Business, that is, they are stable. So we can say with some confidence that these are the best Windows builds 10.
Build 1507: premiere
Build number: 10.0.10240
Codename: Threshold 1
Marketing Name: Release-To-Manufacturing (RTM)
The very first build of Windows 10, which became available to a wide range of users. In it the world saw for the first time Windows interface 10 with updated Metro style, return of Start button, Continuum workspace manager, voice assistant Cortana, virtual desktops, sidebar settings instead of Control Panel and Browser Microsoft Edge instead of Internet Explorer. It also adds innovative features for gamers, including XBox integration, DirectX 12 support, and a Game Bar that allows you to take screenshots and record videos. Support for the build ended in the spring of 2017.
The very first build of Windows 10 still carried some of the spirit of the “seven”.
Build 1511: games
Build number: 10.0.10586
Codename: Threshold 2
Marketing Name: November Update
The second largest and most “gaming” build of Windows 10, the main innovations of which are concentrated around multimedia and games. Thus, Skype was integrated into the system, including text messages, video communication and IP telephony. Microsoft Edge added the ability to organize online broadcasts, and also greatly updated the application for integration with XBox, adding many new multimedia and social functions. Support for the build ended in the spring of 2018.
This build of Windows 10 also introduces the My People app, which stores information about your contacts and allows you to keep in touch with them. Assembly 1607: interoperability
Build number: 10.0.14393
Codename: Redstone 1
Marketing Name: Anniversary Update
The third stable build of Windows 10 and the first of those that are still supported on this moment. The best build of Windows 10 in terms of the amount of new functionality after 1507. The most radical innovations concerned interaction with other systems and installation of programs: support for running Linux applications in command line Windows, the ability to use old Windows applications, as well as limiting auto-downloading of updates. In addition, Windows Ink technology was demonstrated for the first time, allowing handwriting input using a digital pen followed by text recognition.
Windows Ink is one of the most amazing technologies in Windows 10, turning your PC back into paper sheet, appeared in the first build of Redstone. Build 1703: Synchronization
Build number: 10.0.15063
Codename: Redstone 2
Marketing Name: Creators Update
Relatively small update compared to the previous one. The most noticeable innovations in it concerned synchronization: thus, there was Windows function Anywhere, which allows you to synchronize system and network settings between various devices under Windows control 10.
Windows Anywhere in Redstone 2 allows you to transfer settings, for example, from a computer to a tablet. Build 1709: Virtual Reality
Build number: 10.0.16299
Codename: Redstone 3
Marketing Name: Fall Creators Update
The fourth build of Windows 10 introduces support for augmented reality technologies (Windows Mixed Reality). It allows you to create virtual objects, for example, in, and transfer them to the real world using glasses virtual reality. A range of specialized glasses from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung have been integrated with the system.
Starting with this build, Windows 10 supports virtual reality glasses. Build 1803: spy functionality?
Build number: 10.0.17134
Codename: Redstone 4
Marketing Name: April 2018 Update
The latest current build of Windows 10, in currently available to users. It was there that an unpleasant surprise for many appeared, recording your actions over the past days and allowing, for example, to go to files and applications opened a week ago. To someone this function seems convenient, but to some it violates personal boundaries; Either way, now is the time to test it.
User Activity Bar, Microsoft's latest innovation, lets you revisit tasks you completed several days ago. Upcoming Builds
In the next 12 months, we expect two more major builds of Windows 10. At the end of 2018, build 1809, codenamed Redstone 5, should be released. It is now in the early testing stage in the Insider Preview thread, and according to insiders, it will bring many updates in terms of usability. So, for example, the Sets function will appear in the interface, allowing you to open applications in tabs, similar to web pages in a browser.
Quite a lot of time has passed since the release of the Windows 10 operating system. Many users have updated their computers to the new operating system, but noticed a problem that new Windows 10 begins to collect telemetry, and in simple terms - Windows 10 spies on users.
Windows 10 and telemetry collection
Data collection in Windows 10 was first discussed at the beginning of the release of test builds for insiders. Then users noticed that Windows 10 spies on users, collects all information and sends it to Microsoft servers. What kind of information does Windows 10 collect? At the moment it is not known for sure. But, judging by the published data from Microsoft, Windows at least reports about the applications used, installed on the computer, the time spent using Microsoft browser Edge, as well as voice input if you use Cortana.
In addition, if you use the default privacy settings, then in addition to the above, Microsoft will “own” your entire correspondence, and will also receive other extended information about your computer use. What kind of information this is, one can only guess.
What data does Windows 10 collect?
Of course, spying in Windows 10 can be called differently. It depends on the degree of “alarmism” of the person. Microsoft itself absolves itself of accusations of espionage, and connects the collection of telemetry with the constant improvement of the quality of applications and the personalization of Windows. If you use a Microsoft account, this data will be linked to it.
Microsoft is not the first corporation to collect data. For some reason, the “system” broke down on it, apparently due to an unsuccessful announcement of telemetry in the media, and when they began to openly accuse them of this, Microsoft was unable to respond.
Who besides Windows 10 collects user data?
It is worth remembering that the same Facebook or Vkontakte knows much more about you, as well as Google Chrome. Telemetry collection is available in both Android and iPhone, but no one talks about it anymore. It is worth remembering that each of you has an account on your Android phone, and no one on the Internet is dissuading you from using it; on the contrary, Microsoft is accused of imposing its account.
Each person has the right to decide whether to use the Windows 10 operating system or not, as well as whether to agree to the collection of telemetry. In addition, some of the spying functionality can be disabled in Windows 10, but all spying functionality can only be disabled by adding Microsoft IP addresses to the block list at the routing level, not the operating system level.
You can disable most telemetry settings at the moment Windows installations 10. When the operating system shows you a window with the text increase speed, instead of using the standard settings button, click the inconspicuous button on the left: setting parameters. There you can disable options such as automatic connection to WI-FI, extended information about using the software, blocking sending keyboard input, and so on. In principle, this is turned off at the very beginning. But remember, Windows 10 will still send telemetry, but in a limited way.
Disabling telemetry in Windows 10
You can also disable telemetry already in the installed Windows 10 operating system. This can be done in the Settings - Privacy window. In this menu you can disable almost all telemetry collection settings.
Then go to settings - accounts. If you are using a Microsoft account, select Use a local account.
I also recommend turning off all Microsoft related services if you want "so called privacy". In particular, we are talking about the built-in Windows Defender, which also collects some information about PC usage.
To disable Defender in Windows 10 - Go to task manager - startup, find the entry associated with this application and click the disable button.
Remember that the most data is collected by Cortana, which will literally know everything about you. At the time of writing, she did not work in Russian-speaking countries, so there is nothing to worry about yet.
In general, don’t be foolish. If you decide to use Windows 10, be prepared for the fact that this operating system, like all services on the Internet, will collect information from the user to the maximum. If you've changed your privacy settings now, Microsoft may change them or re-enable them with a new update, as they did once before. True, according to them, it was a mistake. Want privacy? Use Windows 7, Windows 8.1 without MS account or as a last resort use one of Linux distributions, for example Ubuntu.
operating room Windows system 10 collects information about how users work on a computer. Handwriting samples and voice samples, location information, error reports, calendar contents - all this can be sent to Microsoft servers. This was done for one single purpose - improve system performance, make it more friendly and useful for a specific person.
However, many users are seriously worried about the fact that their personal information may be stored on some servers. Microsoft protection in theory can hack by hackers, access to confidential data may request intelligence services. If you don't want your OS to automatically send data to the server, you need to know how to disable snooping in Windows 10.
System installation
Most of the "spying" can be disabled directly during installation operating system (or update from previous versions). During installation you will be prompted to increase your speed. On this page you need to open the “Settings” section and disable absolutely all options there.
Among these parameters will be determining location, sending voice and handwriting samples, data in calendar and contacts.
Perhaps in the future you will decide that one of them might be useful. You can always turn it back on in OS settings. If you have already installed Windows 10 without disabling anything, it’s okay. Everything is possible deactivate now, and at the same time delete all data stored on the server.
Voice assistant Cortana
Cortana is one of the most striking differences between Windows 10 and previous versions. This is extremely useful program, which can greatly facilitate and speed up computer work.
And in order for Cortana to work as efficiently as possible, it must collect information about the user. If all this does not interest you, and you would like to disable statistics collection and spying, this can be easily done at any time:
After these steps the program Cortana will be disabled, and the typing log and all samples of your voice and handwriting will be cleared.
At the beginning of 2016, Cortana has not yet been implemented in the Russian language Windows versions 10. Therefore, even with the settings enabled, the data will not be sent anywhere.
Privacy Settings
After turning off Cortana, you can turn off other tracking options. To do this you need to do the following:
In the drop-down menu " Sending device data..."you need to select the item " Basic».
In this simple way, you can completely disable tracking and sending data to the Microsoft server.
Microsoft account and pre-installed apps
A single Microsoft account allows you to quickly log in to Windows 10 and various software from the developer. You don't have to enter your username and password V OneDrive, Skype, Word(if you are using cloud technologies) and so on. In addition, this service provides access to the official Windows App Store.
Cons of the service - again, sending some data to the developer's servers. If this is not desirable for you, it is recommended to use local account.
The same goes for various programs, which are installed with operating system. Web browser Edge, standard mail client Mail, search system Bing- all these programs send statistics about their work. It's better to use third party alternatives.
If Edge you found it convenient and would like to continue working with it, it is recommended to configure it optimally:
Disabling telemetry
Telemetry- this is an observation of installed programs, measuring the load on computer components and then sending statistics. To completely disable this type tracking, do the following:
After this, telemetry will be completely disabled. No information about your work personal computer will not be sent to Microsoft.
Programs
There are also special utilities, which allow you to make all the above-described settings in just a couple of clicks.
Privacy Protector
From paid software, this is the program. The disadvantage of manual settings is that when Windows update 10 disabled options may reconnect without you noticing. Privacy Protector will block such actions, saving all settings. Therefore, if you want to solve a problem once and then forget about it, then the program, in this case, is the best solution.
As another option, you can download free application from a popular IT site GitHub. To do this, go to the link https://github.com/10se1ucgo/DisableWinTracking/releases/ and click on the DisableWinTracking.exe file.
The program does not require installation and is ready to use immediately after downloading.
Working with it is very simple - you mark everything you want to disable and click Go! . Also, using the utility, you can remove various pre-installed applications that cannot be removed using conventional methods, for example, GrooveMusic or Xbox.
Video on the topic
Good day everyone and all that other stuff.
I think that it is no secret to many that Windows 10 was recently released and there are a lot of rumors, articles and all that stuff about it. We even wrote, well, some of you even read this article while directly in this OS.
I’ll say right away that we are not the authors of this article (we generally do not publish copy-paste as such, except for individual exceptions) and the original source is on Habré directly at this link, i.e. you can read it in its entirety first-hand there (and at the same time watch comments). If you prefer to see the material within , then welcome to read the text below. The choice is yours.
What data does Windows 10 collect about users?
Information that Windows 10, not new. Also in 2014 year company Microsoft privacy statement, from which it follows that information about the programs used, the device and the networks in which they operate may be transmitted to its servers. This data may be combined with a user ID (account Microsoft), address information is also collected Email, preferences, interests, location, and much more.
Czech edition Aeronet.cz investigation of an unnamed IT specialist who decided to track activity Windows 10 on data collection. The following tools were used during the study: program Destroy Windows 10 Spying blocking data transfer to servers Microsoft, PRTG Network Monitor, Windows Resource Monitor And Wireshark. According to the researcher, Windows 10- looks more like a data collection terminal than an operating system.
Cortana wants to know everything about the user
The most active “collector” of data in the new OS voice assistant Cortana. An experiment by a Czech researcher showed that all voice requests sent to the device's speaker Windows 10 sends to the following servers:
Vortex.data.microsoft.com
vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
choice.microsoft.com
choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
df.telemetry.microsoft.com
wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
telemetry.microsoft.com
watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
telemetry.appex.bing.net
telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
survey.watson.microsoft.com
watson.live.com
watson.microsoft.com
statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
compatexchange.cloudapp.net
cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
a-0001.a-msedge.net
statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
corp.sts.microsoft.com
statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
pre.footprintpredict.com
feedback.windows.com
feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
feedback.search.microsoft.com
rad.msn.com
preview.msn.com
ad.doubleclick.net
ads.msn.com
ads1.msads.net
ads1.msn.com
a.ads1.msn.com
a.ads2.msn.com
adnexus.net
adnxs.com
az361816.vo.msecnd.net
az512334.vo.msecnd.net
At the same time, the researcher noticed that information is sent to servers once every 15 minutes (approx. 80 megabyte). This is too much metadata, so he assumed that Cortana converts first voice recordings into text and then sends it to the servers Microsoft also wav files with voice (including recordings of conversations via SIP). Collected text information stored inside built-in Cortana notepad.
If you prohibit communication with servers from the list above through the file hosts, then the program will generate errors in the future.
In addition, some users have already complained that Cortana, even if it is disabled in the settings.
In addition, as journalists of the publication Ars Technica, if the user disables the Internet search function from the Start menu, performing such a search will still result in a request being sent to the server Bing which will return the file threshold.appcache, which also contains some information Cortana, including ID-device, which is saved after reboot.
At present virtual assistant only understands English language, A Microsoft assures that all information it collects is securely protected. However, the Redmond-based company also says that if requested by relevant government agencies, the data may be shared with them.
In order to transmit less personal data, the user can choose not to link Windows 10 With account Microsoft. In this case Cortana will not work, but the search will function.
Even encrypted chats do not protect text
Also OS tracks the user's search queries, analyzes email correspondence to find out the preferences and schedule of the computer owner. In addition, the data is also transmitted to the search engine Bing.
As the same Czech researcher found out, the collected text information is stored in temporary files, which are 30 minutes are transmitted to the following servers:
Oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
pre.footprintpredict.com
reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
The telemetry server collects information about geographic location, IP-address. Footprintpredict transmits data to the engine Bing. In this case, not only information entered inconsistently in the browser is used, but also, for example, taken from chats - Windows 10 can "intercept" the input of anyone installed application. Thus, if a user mentions in a conversation in the messenger that he is going on vacation, then in the browser Edge relevant advertisements will be shown to him. Since keyboard input is intercepted, even when communicating through secure messengers, OS can see what the user enters (but does not see what was sent back).
According to the researcher, he was able to discover another interesting feature Windows 10- if you type the name of a famous American film somewhere in the OS, the system performs a corresponding search on the hard drive and indexes the media files. The index file is then sent to the servers Microsoft:
df.telemetry.microsoft.com
reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
pre.footprintpredict.com
At the same time, the names of foreign films (for example, Czech) did not lead to such activity OS, also the system does not study the contents of the files, so if you name a file with a movie by any other word, it will not be indexed. The researcher in his article suggested that this functionality could be used in the future to search for counterfeit content or create targeted advertisements for the purchase of films.
The webcam also transmits data
After activation Windows 10 and after the first launch of the webcam it sends about 35
megabytes of data to the following servers:
Ca.telemetry.microsoft.com
oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
i1.services.social.microsoft.com
i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
The researcher observed only one instance of the webcam sending data, but speculates that it may be sending information over a long interval (days or weeks). In his material, he states that he does not know what exactly information from a webcam can be used for, but given that Windows- this is a system used in many, even the largest international companies, such functionality could potentially lead to leakage of important data.
All data transmitted to servers Microsoft, are encrypted, so it is simply impossible to understand what exactly the system is sending without having to break the encryption.
Journalists Ars Technica disabled telemetry transmission using group policies, but the system still periodically sent information to the server ssw.live.com
Representatives Windows told the publication that Windows 10 collects only information that will help improve the services provided to users in the future. However, not all users are happy that the system continues to send something to Microsoft servers, even if she is forbidden to do this, and try to solve this problem on their own by creating appropriate tools. So on Github posted code for a program that “uses some well-known methods to disable surveillance in Windows 10».
Afterword
These are the pies. Actually, draw your own conclusions.
In general, the OS is still very crude - the more often, the more vulnerabilities are found, which, however, is typical for each new version Windows, and therefore, before updating, it is not in vain that they recommend waiting a few months or even sitting on previous systems until, say, the first Service Pack.
That's probably all for now. Stay with us.
Loading...
