With the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft by default gathers information ab

Question

With the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft by default gathers information about user preferences.For example, Windows 10 assigns an advertising ID to users and then uses it to deliver customized ads and information. This has caused alarm among some users regarding intrusion into their privacy. Using the Internet, do some research about the information gathered through Windows 10. Write a couple paragraphs on your research and opinions. Include the following: What are the advantages of this data collection? What are the disadvantages? Is this any different from how other operating systems and websites gather information? Should Microsoft be more upfront about the collection of this data? Is there a way to turn the data collection off? If so, how is it done?

Explanation / Answer

While Microsoft’s been collecting personally identified information of various kinds for more than a decade, Windows 10’s going to turn that trickle into a gusher. You can curb some of the data-gathering proclivities with various tools and websites, but you won’t be able to turn it off entirely without disabling some features that you’ll probably want to use. And no matter how you shake it, Windows needs access to that info in order to provide you with the services you likely want.

Windows 10 collects much, much more personal data than any of its predecessors. The data’s generally sent to Bing and from there it’s attached, presumably, to either your Microsoft account or some sort of identifier based on your IP address. There’s also your personal Advertising ID. You knew about your personal Advertising ID, yes

Chris Hoffman at HowToGeek.com has an  of 30 different ways Windows 10 collects data and sends it to the Microsoft servers. If you haven’t yet read that article, you should. By default, Microsoft starts adding data to your Advertising ID, sharing that data with Universal (nee “Metro”) apps. There’s a list of every URL you visit, and every program you download. Location and location history. Voice, writing, and speech patterns. Contacts, calendar events, handwriting, typing “history.” Communication history from messages and apps (presumably including Universal Mail). All of your usage telemetry. All of your searches, even local, get sent to Bing and Windows Store. BitLocker recovery keys (with some nuances) are saved, unencrypted, in the Microsoft cloud. Windows Defender malware samples. Edge sends along every character that you type in the search box. If you use a Microsoft account, you also send many of your settings to Microsoft’s servers, along with a list of all devices you’ve logged in from. Windows 10 can use some of your bandwidth to upload patches to other computers.

To create a more customized online experience, some of the ads you may receive on Microsoft websites and apps are tailored to your previous activities, searches and site visits. You're in control and here's where you can make the advertising choice that's right for you.

Microsoft has insisted that all Windows 10 data collection is for the benefit of users. Representatives also stress that any data collected is encrypted before transmitted to Microsoft servers.

The company has been under attack ever since Windows 10's release, and as it became increasingly clear regarding information the system collects and transmits back to Microsoft. While users have control over much of this data collection, it's often switched on by default and finding the relevant settings to switch it off can be confusing.

At one stage Microsoft had to defend itself against claims that it was operating a key logger similar to those used by password-thieving malware distributors. While it was actually just a research tool for Microsoft to improve the accuracy of voice recognition and auto-complete, poor communication gave the impression that Microsoft had something to hide.

Microsoft executive Terry Myerson, responsible for overseeing Windows, has posted online to reiterate some principles for Windows 10 data collection. He says the two ground rules are two-fold. First, Windows 10 collects information so the product will work better for you; secondly, you are in control with the ability to determine what information is collected. (Source: windows.com)

According to Myerson, Microsoft will achieve this by categorizing data in three ways.

The first is collecting non-identifying data about a PC's setup when a program crashes. Myerson says such data has already helped identify and fix a major problem with a graphics driver that was sending Windows 10 into a reboot. Such data collection is a mandatory part of the system for home users, though the enterprise edition will eventually have the ability to switch off the data collection.

The second category is personalization data, which Myerson says is used to make Windows features more useful, such as building up a personal dictionary to improve text auto complete tools. Myerson says users can control these settings at any time, either through the Privacy section of the main Settings menu, or through the settings options for individual apps.

The third category is advertising data. Myerson says Microsoft will never scan personal files, messages or emails to gather information for targeted advertising. This principle applies regardless of the privacy settings. While he doesn't mention it by name, Myerson makes a clear dig at Google which does scan user emails.

Microsoft's collecting the data. At some point they're going to use it. In Edge, yes, and on websites with Microsoft-delivered ads, certainly. But they may well use that data for advertising inside Windows. Microsoft has already demonstrated, conclusively, that it’s capable of taking almost any Windows 7 or 8 computer and inject advertising. They’ve done so with impunity. Advertising inside Windows 10 may well become commonplace.

A friend of mine, who identifies himself as a “privacy nut” and no doubt wears a tinfoil hat from time to time, has been peppering me with questions. They’re good ones

Advantages:

·         Users can control these settings at any time

·         Data sinking is private settings you website, browsing history, software setting etc

·         Each having unique advertizing id for customizing the third party companies

·         Microsoft privacy settings and removing piracy most people don’t like this

·         Cortana and Data mining

Disadvantage:

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