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Yep - I get the "it just works" argument. But just remember folks, Windows 10 telemetry is basically Microsoft-sanctioned adware/spyware right on your computer

Yep - I get the "it just works" argument. But just remember folks, Windows 10 telemetry is basically Microsoft-sanctioned adware/spyware right on your computer. I've done a "base setup" of W10 sniffing traffic from a clean/fully patched install and it talks to everyone. The only way I've been able to mitigate this is running LTSB/LTSC versions along side of reputable "disable telemetry" software pulled from GH. It's gross. Although I admit to fighting with my Debian installations from time to time, at least they respect my privacy.

elagost 6y ago
I feel you. Very much in the same boat. I do miss a lot of the fun things I did on/with Windows, but with all the malware that's baked into Windows 10 (and prior versions too - they just weren't as heavily scrutinized it seemed) it's just a non-starter for me. Creeps me out too much. A Microsoft Linux would also be DOA for me, given that I wouldn't trust it to not be the same as their current offering - jam-packed full of privacy-violating spyware, riddled with secret security holes, and getting worse as the days go by. At least with Debian and Fedora, I know what to expect, and I could have an influence on what happens there. Cynicism aside, I do believe that Microsoft's Linux would be a great choice for consumers. Background upgrades with fast reboots is my number one selling point of Ubuntu to regular users.
gigel82 6y ago
What do you mean by "sniffing traffic"? Is this something you observed yourself or just repeating sensationalist claims by others? Are you claiming they installed a compromised certificate and are MITM-ing all your traffic !? FWIW, in my case I use the built-in controls for turning telemetry down, and supplementing with a pi-hole on the network that blocks a lot of telemetry endpoints. I'm confident that whatever (if anything) slips through is just generic anonymized usage stats; they wouldn't risk compromising privacy this way especially with GDPR (and other similar things) in play.
- blowfish721 6y ago
  I’m quite sure he meant that he was sniffing traffic through wireshark or such. And using that he found it was making lots of connections to different endpoints.

elagost 6y ago

I feel you. Very much in the same boat. I do miss a lot of the fun things I did on/with Windows, but with all the malware that's baked into Windows 10 (and prior versions too - they just weren't as heavily scrutinized it seemed) it's just a non-starter for me. Creeps me out too much. A Microsoft Linux would also be DOA for me, given that I wouldn't trust it to not be the same as their current offering - jam-packed full of privacy-violating spyware, riddled with secret security holes, and getting worse as the days go by. At least with Debian and Fedora, I know what to expect, and I could have an influence on what happens there. Cynicism aside, I do believe that Microsoft's Linux would be a great choice for consumers. Background upgrades with fast reboots is my number one selling point of Ubuntu to regular users.

gigel82 6y ago

What do you mean by "sniffing traffic"? Is this something you observed yourself or just repeating sensationalist claims by others? Are you claiming they installed a compromised certificate and are MITM-ing all your traffic !? FWIW, in my case I use the built-in controls for turning telemetry down, and supplementing with a pi-hole on the network that blocks a lot of telemetry endpoints. I'm confident that whatever (if anything) slips through is just generic anonymized usage stats; they wouldn't risk compromising privacy this way especially with GDPR (and other similar things) in play.

blowfish721 6y ago
I’m quite sure he meant that he was sniffing traffic through wireshark or such. And using that he found it was making lots of connections to different endpoints.