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France warns Microsoft to Stop Collecting Windows 10 Users' Personal Data

France warns Microsoft to Stop Collecting Windows 10 Users' Personal Data

Jul 21, 2016
We have heard a lot about privacy concerns surrounding Windows 10 and accusations on Microsoft of collecting too much data about users without their consent. Now, the French data protection authority has ordered Microsoft to stop it. France's National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) issued a formal notice on Wednesday, asking Microsoft to "stop collecting excessive data" as well as "tracking browsing by users without their consent." The CNIL, Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés, ordered Microsoft to comply with the French Data Protection Act within 3 months, and if fails, the commission will issue a sanction against the company. Moreover, the CNIL notified Microsoft that the company must also take "satisfactory measures to ensure the security and confidentiality" of its users' personal data. The notice comes after a series of investigations between April and June 2016 by French authorities, revealing that Mic
Woman wins $10,000 after suing Microsoft over 'Forced' Windows 10 Upgrade

Woman wins $10,000 after suing Microsoft over 'Forced' Windows 10 Upgrade

Jun 28, 2016
Since the launch of Windows 10 in July last year, Microsoft is constantly pestering users to upgrade their PCs running older versions of the operating system. However, many users who are happy with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and don't want upgrade to Windows 10 now or anytime soon are sick of this forceful unwanted upgrade. One of the victims to this unwanted Windows 10 installation has made Microsoft pay $10,000. A California woman has won $10,000 from Microsoft over an unwanted Windows 10 upgrade. Must Read: How to Stop Windows 7 or 8 from Downloading Windows 10 Automatically . Teri Goldstein sued Microsoft for upgrading her computer to Windows 10 without her authorization, which made it slow and unusable for days at a time, reports the Seattle Times. The PC used by Goldstein, who operates a Californian travel agency, was apparently upgraded to Windows 10 shortly after Microsoft offered free upgrade to Windows 7 and 8.1 users last year. Goldstein said the updat
How to Find and Fix Risky Sharing in Google Drive

How to Find and Fix Risky Sharing in Google Drive

Mar 06, 2024Data Security / Cloud Security
Every Google Workspace administrator knows how quickly Google Drive becomes a messy sprawl of loosely shared confidential information. This isn't anyone's fault; it's inevitable as your productivity suite is purposefully designed to enable real-time collaboration – both internally and externally.  For Security & Risk Management teams, the untenable risk of any Google Drive footprint lies in the toxic combinations of sensitive data, excessive permissions, and improper sharing. However, it can be challenging to differentiate between typical business practices and potential risks without fully understanding the context and intent.  Material Security, a company renowned for its innovative method of protecting sensitive data within employee mailboxes, has recently launched  Data Protection for Google Drive  to safeguard the sprawl of confidential information scattered throughout Google Drive with a powerful discovery and remediation toolkit. How Material Security helps organ
Microsoft removes its controversial Windows 10 Wi-Fi Sense Password Sharing Feature

Microsoft removes its controversial Windows 10 Wi-Fi Sense Password Sharing Feature

May 14, 2016
Microsoft has finally decided to remove one of its controversial features  Wi-Fi Sense network sharing feature from Windows 10 that shares your WiFi password with your Facebook, Skype and Outlook friends and enabled by default. With the launch of Windows 10 last year, Microsoft introduced Wi-Fi Sense network sharing feature aimed at making it easy to share your password-protected WiFi network with your contacts within range, eliminating the hassle of manually logging in when they visit. This WiFi password-sharing option immediately stirred up concerns from Windows 10 users especially those who thought the feature automatically shared your WiFi network with all your contacts who wanted access. Must Read: Here's How to run Ubuntu Linux on Windows 10 . But Wi-Fi Sense actually hands over its users controls so they can select which networks to share and which contact list can access their Wi-Fi. Also, the feature doesn't share the actual password used to protect yo
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Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death Gets QR Code

Windows 10 Blue Screen of Death Gets QR Code

Apr 13, 2016
If you are a Microsoft's Windows user, you may have encountered the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) . The Blue Screen of Death generally appears when Windows encounters any critical error due to software or hardware issues, displaying a sad face and no information other than "Your PC ran into a problem." However, now the company is apparently giving its infamous Blue Screen of Death a makeover. With the Microsoft's Anniversary Update, the company is making the Blue Screen of Death a little helpful for its users. Microsoft is adding QR code to its Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in Windows 10 that will make it easier for users to identify potential issues with their devices. The new QR codes are featured in the Redmond's latest Windows 10 Preview, Build 14316, which will debut this summer as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Must Read:   Step-by-Step Tutorial to Run Ubuntu on latest Windows 10 Preview Build . Now, when your operating
How to Disable Windows 10 Upgrade (Forever) With Just One Click

How to Disable Windows 10 Upgrade (Forever) With Just One Click

Mar 30, 2016
If you are a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 user, who don't want to upgrade to Windows 10 now or anytime soon, you might be sick of Microsoft constantly pestering you to upgrade your OS. Aren't you? With its goal to deploy Windows 10 on over 1 Billion devices worldwide, Microsoft is becoming more aggressive to convince Windows 7 and 8.1 users to upgrade to its newest operating system, and it is getting harder for users to prevent the OS being installed. But if you're worried that this out of control Windows 10 upgrade process will force you into downloading an unwanted OS; I have an easier solution to block Windows 10 upgrade on your PCs. A new free tool, dubbed Never10 , provides the user a one-click solution to disable Windows 10 upgrade until the user explicitly gives permission to install Windows 10 . Never10 has been developed by Steve Gibson, the well-known software developer and founder of Gibson Research, which is why the tool is also known as &quo
Microsoft Windows 10 is now Installed on over 200 Million Devices

Microsoft Windows 10 is now Installed on over 200 Million Devices

Jan 05, 2016
Windows 10 here, Windows 10 there, and it is everywhere. This is exactly what Microsoft dreamed of, and it seems like the company is actively working to reach its One Billion goal by the end of 2017 or mid-2018. Proudly announcing its first huge success, Microsoft reported that its newest Windows 10 operating system is now officially installed on more than 200 Million devices worldwide since its launch five months ago. Windows 10 is the latest as well as the greatest operating system from Microsoft that took less than six months to hit 200 Million milestone. The growth is really impressive, and Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Windows and Devices Yusuf Mehdi outlined other milestones for Windows 10 in a blog post on Monday. Here's the list: Windows 10's adoption is growing 140% faster than Windows 7 and over 400% faster than Windows 8. More than 40% of the new Windows 10 devices were activated since Black Friday. Over 11 Billion hours have b
Windows 10 Upgrade Become More Creepy, No Option to Opt-Out

Windows 10 Upgrade Become More Creepy, No Option to Opt-Out

Oct 16, 2015
If you are running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and have no plans to switch to Windows 10, then Microsoft could force you to install Windows 10, making it harder for you to cancel or opt-out of upgrading. Note: Above image has been photoshopped, but the original screenshot taken by Windows users is given below. Reports are circulating that some Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users are claiming that the latest Windows 10 OS has begun to automatically install itself on their PCs. According to complaints by users, Windows Update screen is only offering them the option to either: Start the upgrade process, or Reschedule the upgrade for a later date Other users are finding that the dialog boxes they are presented display a message saying that the " Upgrade to Windows 10 is Ready ," and prompting users to " Restart your PC to begin the installation ." The issue actually resided in the Windows Update process. Microsoft has listed Windows 10 as an " Op
THN Weekly Roundup — 15 Most Popular Cyber Security and Hacking News Stories

THN Weekly Roundup — 15 Most Popular Cyber Security and Hacking News Stories

Sep 14, 2015
We are once again here with our weekly round up based on last week's top cyber security threats and challenges. I recommend you to read the entire thing ( just click ' Read More ' because there's some valuable advice in there as well ). Here's the list: 1. Reminder! If You have not yet, Turn Off Windows 10 Keylogger Now Microsoft is very powerful in tracking every single word you type or say to its digital assistant Cortana using its newest Windows 10 operating system. The keylogger that Microsoft put in the  Technical Preview of Windows 10  last fall made its way to  Windows 10 Free  public release first rolled out back in July. Besides various  Windows 10 privacy issues , there is a software component that is a bit more complicated than you thought. It tracks your inputs using: Keyboard Voice Screen Mouse Stylus Information about your Calendar and Contacts If this keylogger, which is more than just a keylogger, makes you feel creepy then need
Here's How to Stop Windows 7 or 8 from Downloading Windows 10 Automatically

Here's How to Stop Windows 7 or 8 from Downloading Windows 10 Automatically

Sep 12, 2015
Yesterday we reported you that Microsoft is auto-downloading Windows 10 installation files — between 3.5GB and 6GB — onto users' PCs even if they have not opted into the upgrade. Microsoft plans to deploy Windows 10 on over 1 Billion devices worldwide, and this auto-downloading Windows 10 could be one of its many strategies to achieve its goal. The company has dropped and saved a hidden $Windows.~BT folder on your PC's main drive (C drive), if you are running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 . The bottom line is: Many Windows users are on limited or metered Internet connections. As Microsoft is not only consuming storage space but also using user's Internet bandwidth for large unrequested files, as the Windows 10 installer downloads up to 6 gigabytes. So, here are some methods that you can use to stop Microsoft from automatically downloading Windows 10 installation files. Method 1 This method is applicable for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 us
Microsoft is Auto-Downloading Windows 10 to PCs, Even If You Don't Want it

Microsoft is Auto-Downloading Windows 10 to PCs, Even If You Don't Want it

Sep 11, 2015
Microsoft wholeheartedly wants you to upgrade to Windows 10. So much that even if you have not opted-in for Windows 10 upgrade, you will get it the other way. Surprised? If you have Windows Update enabled on your PCs running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you'll notice a large file — between 3.5GB and 6GB — mysteriously been downloaded to your computer in the background. The huge file is actually linked to Windows 10 installation that Microsoft is reportedly downloading on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers even if users have not opted into the upgrade. The news comes days after it was disclosed that Microsoft is installing Windows 10's data collecting and user behavior tracking features onto Windows 7 and 8.1 machines. With this latest automatic Windows 10 installation, Microsoft is not only consuming your storage space but also using your Internet bandwidth for unrequested files, as the Windows 10 installer downloads up to 6 gigabytes, depending on which Wind
Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows coming on September 22

Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows coming on September 22

Aug 26, 2015
Earlier this year, Microsoft had announced to bring its Office 2016 soon to the world. Also, Office 2016 software version for Mac was released in July 2015. Now speculations gearing up are hinting towards a final release date of Office 2016 for Windows as 22nd September 2015. Though, for Window users it may not be quite a change, because in the new Office suite as compared to its predecessor Office 2013 no such major improvements are visible. Office 2016 for Windows is supposedly debuting in less than a month away and will be available for home and professional users initially. Improvements in Office 2016 Office 2016 is going to be more colorful, with bright and dark colored theme options. Also, this time Microsoft has made it pretty clear that people are required to have Office 365 subscriptions because this time Microsoft is going to send new updates of Office along with the updates of Office 365. Mostly, modifications are done in the Outlook applicat
RaspBSD – FreeBSD distribution for Raspberry Pi

RaspBSD – FreeBSD distribution for Raspberry Pi

Aug 19, 2015
Raspberry Pi is gaining new heights by rapidly maturing as; after Microsoft made Windows 10 IoT core supporting the Raspberry Pi 2 , now a new version FreeBSD operating system is also deployable on Raspberry Pi devices, called RaspBSD . FreeBSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) is an open source Unix-like advanced computer operating system used to power modern servers, desktops and embedded systems. Though FreeBSD-CURRENT has supported Raspberry Pi since November 2012 and Raspberry Pi 2 since March 2015, RaspBSD will support the Pi models B and B+. As Raspberry Pi is a full fledged ARM system, FreeBSD/ARM is contributing to the list of the third-party operating system which support Raspberry Pi. This is not an official release as yet, the FreeBSD developers have made an image (Beta version) available for the users to play around with the Operating System and give their feedback and suggestions for the issues they encounter. RaspBSD Available For Download
Windows 10 Remotely Disables Pirated Games and illegal Hardware

Windows 10 Remotely Disables Pirated Games and illegal Hardware

Aug 18, 2015
If you are one of those 70 Million users who have upgraded their systems to the newest Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft could be scanning your PC for pirated games and unauthorized hardware . Almost three weeks have passed after the worldwide launch of Windows 10, Millions of users have upgraded their systems to the Microsoft's latest operating system.  However, we have seen many privacy concerns around the new OS, including: Turned ON bandwidth sharing to distribute updates to other Windows 10 users Default settings sending users' data to Microsoft servers Wi-Fi password sharing feature i.e. Windows Wi-Fi Sense enabled Forcing Automatic software updates for Windows 10 Also Read: How to Fix 35+ Windows 10 Privacy Issues With Just One Click Unlike at first glance, these changes made by Microsoft in its new Free Windows upgrade do not actually felt free to its users due to a lack of transparency from the company about the reality of the new
Windows 10 Doesn't Stop Spying You, Even After Disabling It's Creepy Features

Windows 10 Doesn't Stop Spying You, Even After Disabling It's Creepy Features

Aug 14, 2015
In our previous articles, we raised concern about Windows 10 privacy issues , including its controversial Wi-Fi Sense feature . Also, to cope up with these issues, I provided you a one-click solution to fix  all privacy compromising features that allow Microsoft to track users. But unfortunately, all those efforts got wasted because Microsoft still tracks you, even after you harden your Windows 10 privacy to an extreme level by disabling all privacy-infringing settings. This time the culprits are – Cortana and Bing search . Windows 10 features, including Cortana and Bing search, continue communicating with Microsoft's servers and sending it data, even after you turned the features off. A Technical Analysis done by Ars showed that even when you tell Microsoft to not to make any Internet-related inquiries by changing various privacy settings, it appears that Windows 10 still communicate with the software giant's servers for different information. Cortana
Download Free Windows 10 for the Internet of Things and Raspberry Pi 2

Download Free Windows 10 for the Internet of Things and Raspberry Pi 2

Aug 12, 2015
In the month of February 2015, second generation Raspberry Pi was made available and was commonly known as Raspberry Pi 2 . Buzz was that Windows 10 will be supporting the hardware for its compatibility with the smart objects, popularly known as the ' Internet of Things '. So, finally the Free version of Windows 10 for Raspberry Pi 2 is here. On Monday, public release of Microsoft's Windows 10 for IoT Core, offering support for the Raspberry Pi 2 and the Minnowboard Max , was made available. Microsoft's goal of spreading Windows 10 to a Billion user is going to get fulfilled with this specially trimmed edition for small and embedded devices, that may or may not have screens. Also for devices with screens, Windows 10 IoT Core operating system does not have a Windows shell experience; rather you can write a Universal Windows app that is the interface and 'personality' for your device. It's neither the Windows, as we already are familiar with, nor a substitut
Microsoft issues Security Patches for Windows 10 and Edge Browser

Microsoft issues Security Patches for Windows 10 and Edge Browser

Aug 12, 2015
Updated your PCs to Windows 10 ? Now it's time to patch your Windows 10 software. Microsoft has issued its monthly Patch Tuesday by releasing 14 security bulletins , nearly half of it address vulnerabilities in its latest operating system, Windows 10. Four of them are marked critical, affecting Windows, .Net Framework, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Lync, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Silverlight and Edge Browser . Yes, the critical update includes even Edge browser – Microsoft's newest and supposedly super-secure web browser. Windows users are advised to patch their system as soon as possible because the security flaws can be remotely exploited to execute malicious code on vulnerable systems, allowing hackers to install malware and take full control of systems. Most Critical Security Updates: MS15-079 – The critical update fixes a total of 10 privately disclosed flaws in Internet Explorer. Most of these flaws allow a hacker to execute malicious code on v
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