There’s been heaps of controversy associated with Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 10 since it was launched, but the latest issue takes the cake – apparently Windows has been quietly logging every single keystroke users make on their keyboards from the beginning. Even better, that data is being constantly sent to Microsoft’s servers on a regular basis.
We’re not sure why on earth Microsoft would want users’ keystrokes, as this data is only really useful to cybercriminals seeking to crack passwords to steal sensitive data, and IBTimes UK has asked the computing giant to clarify, but in the meantime, it is possible to solve this problem.
Here’s advice on how to turn off the Windows 10 keylogger:
Concerned about privacy? Then always say no
If you haven’t yet installed Windows 10 but are thinking of upgrading, then your road ahead is simple. When you install Windows 10, make sure that you select ‘custom install’.
Read all the options on the installation window carefully, and make sure you always select ‘no’ for all options relating to sending data to Microsoft. It is also safe if you simply choose to just say ‘no’ to all options – it will not affect your usability on Windows 10.
I have Windows 10. What should I do?
If you have Windows 10 installed, then you need to go to the Start menu and then select Settings > Privacy > General. Turn off the option that reads, ‘Send Microsoft info about how I write to help us improve typing and writing in the future’. To be safe, restart your computer after selecting this option.
I have technical knowledge. Is there anything else I can do?
Yes, there are several things you can do to prevent being tracked. The problem is that even if you turn tracking options off, if in the future Microsoft decides that it wants the options to be turned back on for any reason, it can easily do so during the monthly Patch Tuesday through the automatic Windows Updates function.
There are ways that you can prevent this from happening, however, please be aware that these methods come from the user community, and some of these fixes could potentially cause problems to your PC. We’ve listed possible options ranked from “harmless” to “most likely to mess up your computer”.
Method One: Windows Update MiniTool
Rank: Harmless
The Windows Update MiniTool freeware by MajorGeeks allows users to check for Windows Updates and see a description of what they do. You can decide whether you want to install the available updates, hide the ones you don’t like and even delete updates that have been installed that you disagree with.
This software explains what the updates do with a user-friendly interface, and if you are not happy with the changes, you can easily search for and reinstall them.
Method Two: Set up a metered connection to reduce updates
Rank: Harmless
If you don’t think you have the time to review incoming Windows Updates, you could also choose to set up a feature in Windows 10 that was designed by Microsoft to help users who have low internet bandwidth.
Instead of receiving all Windows Updates, Microsoft cuts out updates that are unimportant, and only send you priority updates that fix critical security problems (to keep the hackers out) or stability problems affecting the operating system.
Please note however that this will only work if you are on a Wi-Fi connection, but not if you’re using an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet.
To do this, go to the Start menu and then select Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
In Wi-Fi, click ‘Advanced Options’ and then select ‘on’ for the option ‘Set as metered connection’.
Method Three: Turn off Windows Updates completely
Rank: Not advisable
If you think you know better than Microsoft, then you could just choose to disable Windows Updates completely. Some people with advanced technical knowledge have done this, and they routinely check for important updates, but we wouldn’t advise it, as this means you could risk missing critical patches from Microsoft.
However, this is how you do it:
Go to the Start menu and type ‘Run’ in the search field. Click on the program, type “services.msc” and then click ‘OK’. Look in the list of services, find the ‘Windows Update’ listing and double-click on it. Click on the drop down menu for ‘Startup type’ and select ‘Disabled’, then click OK to confirm and restart your computer.
You can change this back at any time using the same method and selecting ‘Automatic’ or ‘Manual’ from the drop down menu.
I know an even better way to solve this problem: Stop using Windows.
Switch to Linux. Even Apple would be better than Windows, but Linux is probably as good as it gets.
Regardless of which computer and operating system you choose, be advised that no truly critical information should ever be trusted to any computer.
Sorry but none of that will do except never using any electronic device.
Intel chips are compromised at the micro-code level by Israel.
AMD is compromised at the micro code level by the Chinese.
The only way out of the matrix is to unplug or get ancient computers like a f’n tandy, C-64, Amiga or something like that.
I’d guess that any and all CPUs be it PC’s or phones, or whatever are all compromised.
Compromised OS’s are for low hanging fruit and for CIA/Mossad/GHCQ/ to watch/record kiddies in their bedrooms.
-flek
I agree, and that’s basically what I said at the end. No computer, or anything else that can connect to a network, should be trusted with anything that absolutely must be kept secret.
Most of what we do isn’t THAT private and doesn’t require extraordinary security measures. But I think taking reasonable steps to guard our data is worthwhile, even if they aren’t foolproof. So we can do things like keep our computers disconnected from the Internet except as needed, store private info on disk drives that are only connected as needed, keep our phones in Faraday bags when we want to keep our locations secret, etc. It’s all about how much convenience we’re willing to give up in exchange for making mass surveillance more difficult.
As for switching from Windows to Linux, that’s a no-brainer in my book. From a privacy standpoint, using Windows is like giving the Fedcoats the key to your house. It just makes their snooping that much easier.
It’s not just protecting your secret personal information, it’s much more insidious than that. Please let me clarify.
They only way to keep any info secret for the average user is having a completely encrypted system that never ever goes online and is hidden away in a faraday cage somewhere. For the ultra-paranoid, hot glue the ethernet port and all USB ports and maybe include a self destruct using thermite 🙂
The only reason I use Linux is that it’s free, open source, better written, faster, and without any obvious security holes like windows. Besides i can’t imagine paying a company to spy on me.
Switching from linux to windows or OSX will make no difference whatsoever if ‘they’ want access. The most it’ll protect you against is the neighborhood hacker kid.
What i think you may not understand is that all CPUs are compromised as chips on purpose so spying can be done regardless of what operating system you use. This is because there are areas embedded in the chip that carry secret instruction sets. Meaning there are secret instructions that can be sent to the CPU to do specific things…independent of the operating system.
The other is the ‘intel management engine’ which is an independent CPU.
This is basically a computer that manages the CPU…it can also make internet (tcp/ip) connections unbeknownst to the main CPU and operating system. This will give administrator access and be truly undetectable
except through very detailed packet analysis which the average user can’t do.
Please read:
http://boingboing.net/2016/06/15/intel-x86-processors-ship-with.html
And of course another glaring problem:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-intel-came-to-be-israels-best-tech-friend/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/haifa-team-sires-intels-fastest-ever-processor/
https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/13/reports-intel-buying-mobileye-for-up-to-16b-to-expand-in-self-driving-tech/
As for AMD:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2109703/amd-moves-desktop-pc-operations-to-china.html
So not only do the fedcoats have the keys to the castle…so does mossad and chinese intelligence and their proxies and partners.
This is why operating systems make absolutely no difference whatsoever.
“Most of what we do isn’t THAT private and doesn’t require extraordinary security measures.”
This is essentially correct, however with the above revelation ‘they’ can download child-porn onto your computer, ISIS propaganda, whatever just because they don’t like your political views….secretly inform the local cop-shop and down the black-hole you go…and even if you manage to clear (good luck because you’ll be in front of ‘their’ judge) yourself by understanding the technology your reputation will be ruined forever.
This idea of intelligence agencies and many foreign intelligence agencies having direct undetectable access to anyones computer with impunity is a very dangerous and disgusting situation.
And now with the CIA malware (see wikileaks vault 7) out in the wild, plausible deniability will also be available to these entities.
This also means all the ‘security’ products sold are absolutely useless
against the intelligence agencies.
If you need to be online and have some layer of anonymity I used to suggest whonix because it uses TOR for every connection. If the IP can’t be tracked which computer do you hack? (‘Their’ logic is now…all of them, lol) The outstanding issue here is whether TOR is compromised or not. I’m not qualified to audit it (like I have the time to anyway), nor or most users.
Consider also, many people willingly, trustingly and stupidly uploaded personal info to ‘cloud’ services. Talk about a huge security hole.
Anyway, not using computers at all is getting increasingly difficult unless you live off-grid, in a tree, in the jungle.
-flek