Hot Take Isn't MS telemetry a threat just like ransomware; give me money or I take your data?

[Victor M]

Enterprise Windows is supposedly ms telemetry free.
Isn't that the same business model as ransomware? Give me money for licenses or I take your data?

 

[Bot]

While it's understandable to compare the two due to the financial aspect, they're fundamentally different. MS telemetry is about data collection for improving user experience and system performance, not about holding your data hostage. Ransomware, on the other hand, is a malicious attack with intent to extort.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Microsoft earns most of it's money in the cloud i.e MS365 and Azure now and has invested heavily in AI. It's not the year 2000 when all it's revenue came from Windows.

Anyway I'm not sure it earns any money seeing how many times I've played a Metallica MP3 or watched a Marvel film. Could be wrong though!

 

[Victor M]

You are wrong, bot. Telemetry is taking your data but with an excuse. Nobody needs the ToDo app to do coordinated reminders, we just want a todo list on our computer screen. MS created the need to use their privacy invasive features, and mandatorily require an MS account login to use their apps. And then take our private data. Then they tell companies they have to pay more in order to opt out of these telemetry.

@Zero Knowledge , MS may earn more money now via other venues. But they are still doing the resomware thing. It is not about the portion of profit, but the method of earning that profit.

I may be a little late in pointing this out. But ransomware was not a thing.

 

[Andy Ful]

Enterprise Windows is supposedly ms telemetry free.
Isn't that the same business model as ransomware? Give me money for licenses or I take your data?

Yes and No.

No, for telemetry related to sending files or metadata, behavior trees, etc., that are required to improve protection.

Partially Yes, for telemetry related to users' behaviors. Such telemetry is a kind of payment for using Windows, developing free Microsoft products, free updates, etc.

However, it is not the same business model as in the case of ransomware. If you pay the attacker, you will get your data back at best (sometimes not), and the attacker will not compensate for the losses in the period before payment. There is no advantage overall, but only losses. In the case of Microsoft telemetry, there is an advantage of improved free Microsoft products.

Edit.
I would say Yes, if the ransom was 1$.

 

[bazang]

Telemetry is taking your data but with an excuse.

That phrase is ideological perspective and logic. It comes from doing the same thing as viewing everything in the world through the lenses of Karl Marx and Friedrick Engels.

Similar ideological (irrational and wrong) perspectives:

• "Silence is Violence" (Deaf & mute people must be inherently violent and rioters are OK with burning down city blocks)
• "Nobody voted for Elon Musk" (Elon is not doing any function that would require him to be elected)
• "Microsoft, Apple, and Google do evil" (You can substitute or add any company name)

Use Linux if you do not want to participate in telemetry. Otherwise, telemetry is a fact of life that most everybody can do little about.

Enterprise Windows is supposedly ms telemetry free.

Windows for Enterprise and Education all have telemetry (Basic and Other), but not the Optional (enhanced) telemetry that collects additional data.

 

[Marko :)]

Enterprise Windows is supposedly ms telemetry free.
Isn't that the same business model as ransomware? Give me money for licenses or I take your data?

Well, not exactly. Because you can't officially get Enterprise. It's meant for businesses. And since businesses need a total control over every aspect of the PC, Enterprise version is the strongest in this regard.

You are wrong, bot. Telemetry is taking your data but with an excuse. Nobody needs the ToDo app to do coordinated reminders, we just want a todo list on our computer screen. MS created the need to use their privacy invasive features, and mandatorily require an MS account login to use their apps. And then take our private data. Then they tell companies they have to pay more in order to opt out of these telemetry.

@Zero Knowledge , MS may earn more money now via other venues. But they are still doing the resomware thing. It is not about the portion of profit, but the method of earning that profit.

I may be a little late in pointing this out. But ransomware was not a thing.

It's a double-sided sword really. Same how Apple doesn't want to open their iOS world-wide and insists the walled garden is here to protect people, not at all for sake of making Apple even more richer.

 

[jackuars]

You are wrong, bot. Telemetry is taking your data but with an excuse. Nobody needs the ToDo app to do coordinated reminders, we just want a todo list on our computer screen. MS created the need to use their privacy invasive features, and mandatorily require an MS account login to use their apps. And then take our private data. Then they tell companies they have to pay more in order to opt out of these telemetry.

@Zero Knowledge , MS may earn more money now via other venues. But they are still doing the resomware thing. It is not about the portion of profit, but the method of earning that profit.

I may be a little late in pointing this out. But ransomware was not a thing.

The reason why Google became a search giant behemoth and there's no close alternative to their search result performance is because they were able to improve their services through data collection. By collecting user data softwares/services can improve code, reduce latency, improve user experience by understanding behavior, preferences and pain points.

On the opposite end of the spectrum and interestingly there's inverse correlation to privacy and security. Data collections helps identify security vulnerabilities, and potential threats. The software is able to detect anomalies and prevent breaches.

For every good software, I've seen a pop-up asking if users want to send data to improve software performance/services. Unfortunately, most privacy conscious geeks simply uncheck the box, denying valuable information for the developer or the software itself.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

For enterprise and government use of Windows it's more about compliance and regulations and that's why telemetry is disabled on such licenses.

It's ironic that people will use unofficial LTSC Windows (downloaded from torrents most likely) but then use a KMS activator or key gen that is probably infected with malware .

 

[roger_m]

It's ironic that people will use unofficial LTSC Windows (downloaded from torrents most likely) but then use a KMS activator or key gen that is probably infected with malware .

Yes, but you can also buy product keys for less than $10 online. Of course the keys are not being sold legally, but they will activate.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Yes, but can also buy product keys for less than $10 online. Of course the keys are not being sold legally, but they will activate.

Yeah I know, and I don't blame people for using grey market keys and I don't think it's morally wrong to buy such keys.

People in the 3rd world, students, pensioners, unemployed have computers too. I don't mind subsidizing those users with my own bought official key.

 

[bazang]

Yes, but can also buy product keys for less than $10 online. Of course the keys are not being sold legally, but they will activate.

In my division everyone undergoes polygraphs. At least one polygraph every other to three years. Currently, there are 47 questions that cover illegal use of software and hardware. The questioning includes use of torrents, use of copyright violation websites such as 123Movies and Putlocker, buying cheap software/OS volume licenses on eBay or other sites, use of software activators, purchasing of burner phones and SIM cards, use of anything that is pirated or violates copyright or other content protections, etc.

Do any of these things and you will be ineligible for a clearance. It is all criminal activity. Any form of criminal activity - even more than 3 speeding tickets - can result in a clearance being revoked. And, yes, the adjudication policies even cover parking tickets. Driver's license suspensions are in there too.

The investigators will be all over you like white on rice on an old school paper plate using old school plastic utensils.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

In my division everyone undergoes polygraphs.

Why are you even allowed to post on public forums then? Do you work in Area 51? Do ALIENS exist?Just *wink* for yes *nod* for no!

 

[cartaphilus]

In my division everyone undergoes polygraphs. At least one polygraph every other to three years. Currently, there are 47 questions that cover illegal use of software and hardware. The questioning includes use of torrents, use of copyright violation websites such as 123Movies and Putlocker, buying cheap software/OS volume licenses on eBay or other sites, use of software activators, purchasing of burner phones and SIM cards, use of anything that is pirated or violates copyright or other content protections, etc.

Do any of these things and you will be ineligible for a clearance. It is all criminal activity. Any form of criminal activity - even more than 3 speeding tickets - can result in a clearance being revoked. And, yes, the adjudication policies even cover parking tickets. Driver's license suspensions are in there too.

The investigators will be all over you like white on rice on an old school paper plate using old school plastic utensils.

I wonder if Elon Musk took a LifeScope Poly.

 

[mlnevese]

Do ALIENS exist?

Of course not... now forget everything you saw.

Now repeat with me. Not all telemetry is bad, telemetry has good and justified uses as well

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Of course not... now forget everything you saw.

Now repeat with me. Not all telemetry is bad, telemetry has good and justified uses as well

= TRUST NO ONE =

 

[bazang]

Why are you even allowed to post on public forums then? Do you work in Area 51? Do ALIENS exist?Just *wink* for yes *nod* for no!

None of it is secret. Telling others that we undergo polygraphs is not a national security matter.

Asking somebody about how much they violate copyright laws reveals how many people working for government programs are digital content thiefs and criminals.

Definitely a lot of violators out there. Not cool. If you are willing to steal others' content, then it is proven that you are willing to commit even more serious crimes.

 

[bazang]

I wonder if Elon Musk took a LifeScope Poly.

Elon has been scoped inside and out, and underwent seven (7) polygraphs.

 

[cartaphilus]

Elon has been scoped inside and out, and underwent seven (7) polygraphs.

I wonder if he uses Signal

 

[bazang]

I wonder if he uses Signal

The hubub about President Trump and his staff using Signal is left-wing misinformation.

Elon might. It is not as if Signal is banned or not permitted on many government national security phones. It is approved on many European government national security phones.

The US publishes a list of the communication apps permitted on its (DoD) national security phones. This is a partial list.

Comparison of DOD-approved messaging apps​

App	Best For	Key DOD Security Features	Compliance Standards
Wickr RAM	Secure communication for teams	End-to-end encryption, self-destructive messages, secure file sharing	DOD-approved, FIPS 140-2, NIST 800-171
Microsoft Teams Chat	Enterprise communication and collaboration	AES 256 encryption, secure data sharing, multi-factor authentication	FedRAMP, FIPS 140-2, DOD-approved
Troop Messenger	Secure team messaging and collaboration	End-to-end encryption, secure file transfer	DOD-approved, FIPS 140-2 encryption
Signal	Privacy-focused communication	End-to-end encryption, no data retention	DOD-approved, open-source, high-level encryption
Threema	Secure messaging for professionals	End-to-end encryption, self-hosted option	DOD-approved, ISO 27001 certified