Advice Request What is your opinion about Microsoft Windows Defender (Windows 10)?

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

Well, that's why I have data collection turned off in Defender and why I refuse to use the new Edge. New Edge is called privacy browser, but it collects the URLs of websites you visit through SmartScreen.

Which doesn't matter much, Every sites you visit collect as much about you than MS.
People blame tech giants for collecting datas, well yes, it is a business than worth millions, so if i were them, i will do the same and probably more.
The real culprits are people who expose all their life online. if you expose useless datas, then you won't care.
Some telemetry and URLs collection (which is necessary for a web filter) aren't big deals, i don't care if MS know that the persona called Umbra visit or porn sites LOL.

 

[Marko :)]

Which doesn't matter much, Every sites you visit collect as much about you than MS.
People blame tech giants for collecting datas, well yes, it is a business than worth millions, so if i were them, i will do the same and probably more.

Every site collects some data, but Microsoft collects A LOT more. You cannot compare basic data sent when visiting a website, and data Microsoft collects when you're using it's services or products.

Don't forget, Full is still default level of telemetry if you don't change it while installing Windows. At Full, Windows collects literally everything; from what you're typing to your browser habits.

Some telemetry and URLs collection (which is necessary for a web filter) aren't big deals, i don't care if MS know that the persona called Umbra visit or porn sites LOL.

While privacy doesn't matter to you, there are people (like me) who care about privacy. Because it's important and fundamental right of the human being.

Full URLs linked to user devices/accounts collected from "privacy friendly" browser isn't a big thing?

 

[Outpost]

While privacy doesn't matter to you, there are people (like me) who care about privacy.

I am often asked by friends, acquaintances, family or clients how to increase privacy, because they are concerned about web history, location history, cookies, telemetry or URLs collection. Almost all of them, however, don't realize that they trust of their own free will much more sensitive data to their socials: where they ate at lunch and dinner, how much the new car cost, how much they spent for the holidays, if the lover was good in bed, or where they will go for the weekend (the thieves say thank you)

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

Every site collects some data, but Microsoft collects A LOT more. You cannot compare basic data sent when visiting a website, and data Microsoft collects when you're using it's services or products.

Don't forget, Full is still default level of telemetry if you don't change it while installing Windows. At Full, Windows collects literally everything;from what you're typing to your browser habits[/URL].

So? It doesn't matter how much it collects.
What matters is the content and only you has an influence over it.

While privacy doesn't matter to you, there are people (like me) who care about privacy. Because it's important and fundamental right of the human being.

So what are you doing on Windows, when I'm really concerned about my sensitive datas, i just use my Linux system.
Even the chief-leader of the privacy freaks, the infamous Snowden, recommend to use not just Linux but Tails.

Full URLs linked to user devices/accounts collected from "privacy friendly" browser isn't a big thing?

Indeed it is nothing, if you care to avoid exposing your real persona all over the net.

Do you really believe MS and other giants care about who you really are?
You are just a number among others, what is valuable is what this number do online for marketing and business purposes, not to pry on your little dirty secrets.
Common trait of privacy and paranoid freaks is to believe they are persons of interest worth tech giant or whatever entity to intrude in their insignificant life... Let me laugh...

Not saying, it is so easy to limit what you expose about your real persona even without any anti data-mining tools, but I guess it is too much a mental effort for some, and the only remedy is to endlessly complaining hoping some improbable changes...

 

[RKRN3]

I am often asked by friends, acquaintances, family or clients how to increase privacy, because they are concerned about web history, location history, cookies, telemetry or URLs collection. Almost all of them, however, don't realize that they trust of their own free will much more sensitive data to their socials: where they ate at lunch and dinner, how much the new car cost, how much they spent for the holidays, if the lover was good in bed, or where they will go for the weekend (the thieves say thank you)

Ask them, if they use an Android device, have they ever visited My Google Account section? Have they seen how much of their data is already on Google Servers? If they are happy with Google having that much data, tell them to now visit Microsoft Account data and to compare who has got more data. Also tell them to open Diagnostic Data Viewer and find any privacy infringing stuff.

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

Ask them, if they use an Android device, have they ever visited My Google Account section? Have they seen how much of their data is already on Google Servers? If they are happy with Google having that much data, tell them to now visit Microsoft Account data and to compare who has got more data. Also tell them to open Diagnostic Data Viewer and find any privacy infringing stuff.

Exactly.

MS and Google didn't force anyone to use their products, you don't like them, don't use them.
You can't avoid to use them? blame yourself for your dependency to them.

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

1-That's no argument for allowing telemetry nor how things should work.
2- Guess anyone agree that a smartphone and PC nowadays is necessary.
3- So privacy by default should be respected by every company

1- telemetry is necessary, what matters is how it is implemented and what it collect.
2- Not at all. I don't need a smartphone to receive or give a call, main purpose of a phone, in case people forgot... Smartphones are just more convenient to carry than laptops.
3- Nope, companies are proprietary of their product, they can do what they want with it. They just have to notify the user beforehand.
The same as a business owner has to warn his employees when he put cameras on the working areas.
MS and Google are under constant fire because they become so much implanted in the daily life of everybody that law writers have to do something, which is more often a reason to collect taxes than protect the users...
No one care of those small and unknown companies who create and sell extremely invasive data-mining tools to businesses.

 

[Local Host]

That's no argument for allowing telemetry nor how things should work.
Guess anyone agree that a smartphone and PC nowadays is necessary.

So privacy by default should be respected by every company

Telemetry is used on everything, is not exclusive to neither Google and Microsoft.

Meaning whining about Windows collecting telemetry (which is not private data in the first place), while using other much more invasive software is ridiculous.

Even AVs collect telemetry data, is essential for software development.

 

[upnorth]

When watched on VirusTotal, and I don't mean just one single test, it's detection rate on very early released samples is not too shabby.

The only other thing I can recall right now, is that the notifications is snappy, but the actual action itself on local tested samples is pretty slow. Now a few seconds here or there in general ain't of course the end of the world, but it's something MS for sure can tweak better.

Also as a 100% free security solution for Windows 10 machines I don't mind recommend it, but for better support I personal pay for another one.

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

If written text/ emails/ .. is collected, it's private data.

What do you think happened when you send a email or text, it goes through the server of the service you use, which has all the freedom to read it. This is even worst than telemetry.

I'm not against needed telemetry which include system data, but analyze private data is another thing and should never be enabled by default.

Again this is your what you think should be based on your principles only.
If a company says it will be this way, so it will be, then free to you to seek another service.
If you go to a restaurant and the rule is to leave your coat at the entrance (means people may look at what is in your pocket), you will comply, if not, you will be invited to find another place.

Do you believe MS record your keystroke or URLs in plain text and upload them to their server then a little guy spend all his days reading what you type or visit?
"oh who i have today...ummmm Mr Security123, what a weird name, let see what he wrote today and what site he visited. Hopefully, i will find some naughty naughty ones hihihi" ... REALLY?

Come on...with the massive amount of people working/surfing on computer every single minute, you will need half the planet to scrutinize just 1mn of data collection...
Giants just use algorithms that just parse the datas without considering the user identity.

Now if it is the CIA or any intel agency doing it and you are a person of interest, then yes , you will have the little guy reading your datas perfectly knowing who you are.

 

[Antus67]

Windows Defender IMHO is sub part at best.........in a pinch...................repeat ...............in a pinch one can use for a short time but be careful where one surfer to

 

[Handsome Recluse]

The whole web and software world being highly annoying makes me think the so-called usability improvements from telemetry are just marketing.

Windows Defender IMHO is sub part at best.........in a pinch...................repeat ...............in a pinch one can use for a short time but be careful where one surfer to

People will sue monopoly if it's good.

 

[Chuck57]

If people are so worried about telemetry, or what happens to their emails, I'd think a start would be everyone begin using GPG for emails. Then someone get busy and design a 100% encrypted browser. The next step is how to keep your server from listing everywhere you go online, since I believe most do.

In fact, if surfing is the problem, your Internet provider probably has more information about your surfing preferences than MS or Google. Also, don't forget those porn sites also collect data every time you visit. Be sure to use Tor or something similar.

 

[dJim]

Windows defender from my opinion just need a total web protection, not talking abouth extensions i mean defense just for av to a malicious site or redirect or just if some link wanna download something in the back...

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

Easy and very very trendy to bash MS or Google, but when you show the whole picture, then you got silence...

People worry about few tech giants, what about your bank, your accountant, your government taxes offices. Those really got your real sensitive datas and do their computers are safe? not a all... but what is the best you can do, privacy freak? bash Google...LOL

 

[bribon77]

I think everything has telemetry, its cleaner, your browser, your AV, mail, your VPN, etc.
But if we believe that they will harm us, then let's stop using phones and computers. We must leave the Paranoia, because many of us are not so important.

 

[RKRN3]

Here's the October, 2019 result.

Test antivirus software for Windows 10 - August 2024

The current tests of antivirus software for Windows 10 from August 2024 of AV-TEST, the leading international and independent service provider for antivirus software and malware.

www.av-test.org

Windows Defender has become as better as paid solutions.

 

[Chuck57]

In this day and age, unless we live in the mountains alone, with no electricity or TV, computers, etc, and never visit town, we are under surveillance by something. It would not surprise me to learn that as we watch our televisions, they are watching us - something to think about if you have a TV in your bedroom. Our vehicles all have computers now. Is anyone monitoring where we go? Probably, if it has GPS.

Do you carry a cellphone? If they want to know where you are, they've got you.

I'm not just talking about Google or MS. All the above can be accomplished by your government, like, you know, the people you elect to lead (not rule) you.

 

[ForgottenSeer 823865]

City's CCTV, surveillance satellites, ATMs, etc... You dont need to touch a computer to get your privacy violated... But of course, those privacy freaks failed to mention it when bashing tech giants...

But I can understand, fighting a company is less risky than a government..

 

[Bryan320]

I like windows defender but i would love the scanning to be abit faster thats my only complaint. I'm sure in upcoming versions they will try to improve the scan engine i would hope..