Unknown to users, four recent Microsoft ‘optional’ update patches for Windows 7 and 8.1—KB3022345, 3068708, 3075249, and 3080149—are sending a raft of personal data to Microsoft’s servers (under the automatic update feature). Some writers have downplayed this threat to privacy, but the danger is real. Many observes have already noted that the new Windows 10 system has functions designed to access user data without the user’s permission and without the user able to switch off this drain. Theoretically, the ability exists if the user is able to manipulate the multitude of switches available in the Windows 10 kernel. However, the majority of users have blissfully accepted Microsoft’s hype about the benefits of Windows 10, opening themselves to data mining by Microsoft. Moreover, Microsoft has started rolling out patches for Windows 7, 8/8.1 designed to access user data that has been incorporated into Windows 10. Advice? If you are using Windows 7 or 8/8.1, there is absolutely no reason for you to switch to Windows 10. Also, disable the automatic update feature, replacing it with a prompt where you decide if you wish to download and apply a particular update—after you have verified the purpose of a particular update. Do ‘not’ install ‘optional’ patches!
KB3080149 was released in May for users who participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP), which should be an opt-in, optional program. However, the CEIP function comes as ‘activated’ when you install Windows. To deactivate it, go to CONTROL PANEL, ACTON CENTER, Change Action Center Settings, Customer Experience Improvement Programme Settings, and tick ‘No, I don’t want to participate in the program’.
KB3022345, since replaced by 3068708, says, ‘By applying this service, you can add benefits from the latest version of Windows to systems that have not yet been upgraded…The patch collects diagnostics about functional issues on Windows systems that participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program.” KB3075249 does not mention anything about CEIP. It is provided as an update that, ‘adds telemetry points to the User Account Control (UAC) feature to collect information on elevations that come from low integrity levels.’
The other thing you need to be careful with, even though Microsoft told everyone that they will not force Windows 10 on users, they are doing exactly that! If you switch automatic updates off and don’t check what optional patches are being downloaded, Windows 10 will start to download whether you want it to or not. To disable this, go to CONTROL PANEL, WINDOWS UPDATE, Check for Updates, Optional. Untick box ‘Update to Windows 10 Home’. You may need to do this more than once as Microsoft reinstates the tick.
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CEIP has also been insidiously installed in Office 2010 and 2013 as a default. If you don’t know it is there, you are allowing Microsoft access to your files. To disable this feature (access Word or Excel), go to FILE, OPTIONS, TRUST CENTER, Trust Center Settings, Privacy Options. For Office 2013, untick box that says, ‘Send us information about your use and performance of Office software to help improve your Microsoft experience’. For Office 2010, untick box, ‘Sign up for the Customer Experience Improvement Program’.
Is Microsoft becoming NSA’s back door monitoring tool? Make your own judgment.