3 ms·

Article text, since the site seems to be down: Windows 10 has been launched and already installed on more than 50 million computers worldwide. It is now a know

Article text, since the site seems to be down: Windows 10 has been launched and already installed on more than 50 million computers worldwide. It is now a known fact that Windows 10 user data is being sent back to Microsoft servers back in Redmond, Washington. Well, now new updates that are being deployed to all Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 machines will turn their computers into a big piece of spyware, just like their predecessor, Windows 10. The updates in question are KB3075249 and KB3080149. if installed, these updates are known to report your data back to Microsoft servers, without user interaction. KB3075249 Microsoft Update adds telemetry points to ‘consent.exe’ in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, allowing for remote monitoring of everything that happens within the operating system. KB3080149 ensures that all “down-level devices” receive the same updates and treatment as Windows 10 boxes get. As you would guess, forums are lit up with speculation on these updates and more. Below you can find a list of other Windows updates that some users have questioned. Please keep in mind, avoiding some or all of these updates may cause your environment to be unstable and/or unsecure. KB2505438 KB2670838 – Windows 7 Only (corrupts AERO and blurry fonts on some websites) KB2952664 KB2976978 – Windows 8 only KB3021917 KB3035583 KB3075249

acqq 11y ago
The links to the Microsoft's KB articles of the two updates: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3080149 https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3080149 "This package updates the Diagnostics and Telemetry tracking service to existing devices. This service provides benefits from the latest version of Windows to systems that have not yet upgraded. The update also supports applications that are subscribed to Visual Studio Application Insights." https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3075249 https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3075249 "This article describes an update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1."
FilterSweep 11y ago
Just the name "consent.exe" itself sounds malicious (although it's been around for a while).
- acqq 11y ago
  "The consent.exe is a part of Windows operating system. It is part of the User Account Control feature which allows or disallows access to administrative functions based on your preference." http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-security/consentexe-doesnt-render-processes-hang-waiting/5a69ebc9-dfa0-40fd-be61-0550a3090b03 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vis...
  - FilterSweep 11y ago
    It's also a process run whenever you install a new program! It's the updates to consent.exe (adding telemetry points) which are cited in this thread that are the issue.

acqq 11y ago

The links to the Microsoft's KB articles of the two updates: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3080149 https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3080149 "This package updates the Diagnostics and Telemetry tracking service to existing devices. This service provides benefits from the latest version of Windows to systems that have not yet upgraded. The update also supports applications that are subscribed to Visual Studio Application Insights." https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3075249 https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3075249 "This article describes an update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1."

FilterSweep 11y ago

Just the name "consent.exe" itself sounds malicious (although it's been around for a while).

acqq 11y ago
"The consent.exe is a part of Windows operating system. It is part of the User Account Control feature which allows or disallows access to administrative functions based on your preference." http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-security/consentexe-doesnt-render-processes-hang-waiting/5a69ebc9-dfa0-40fd-be61-0550a3090b03 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vis...
- FilterSweep 11y ago
  It's also a process run whenever you install a new program! It's the updates to consent.exe (adding telemetry points) which are cited in this thread that are the issue.