Windows 7 - Is it possible to block telemetry data ?

Discussion in 'privacy problems' started by Defenestration, May 12, 2009.

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  1. Defenestration

    Defenestration Registered Member

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    When using Windows 7 RC, it will apparently phone home to Microsoft with telemetry data to help with fixing bugs etc. I haven't really played with Windows 7 RC much, and so don't know if there is an easy way to stop this from happening (unless I specifically let it).

    Can it be blocked from sending any telemetry data (ie. so it just acts like a normal release edition of Windows) - for example, by using a third party firewall (like LnS), as opposed to using the in-built Windows Firewall (which I'm guessing will not block this due to internal whitelist) ?
     
  2. snowdrift

    snowdrift Registered Member

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    Your screen name is oddly à propos here.
     
  3. Defenestration

    Defenestration Registered Member

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    What do you mean ? I get you now :)
     
  4. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    Since it's an RC and pretty much here for testing at this point, I'd say there isn't much you can do about it. You'd have to know what service is doing the communicating, and on what port(s) and to what IPs etc to even attempt to block it. If it's Svchost.Exe for example, you can't just block Svchost as it's needed for DNS lookups as well as other things. So you'd need to know all the details.

    Might as well just let it do it's thing. If it bothers you too much, then just use Vista or XP, or another alternative.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2009
  5. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    By using their products you are automatically part of S-Eye, imho. Sponsored by MS, CIA, NSA, oil mafia & co, you are welcome to convince me that I might be wrong.

    Firewalls can slow down their spy activities but not block because they poison the http traffic with attached viral communication packets, likely this spy method is not restricted on software, may also be valid for hardware especially bios.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2009
  6. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    What's that you're smoking?? :)
     
  7. Ade 1

    Ade 1 Registered Member

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    Like mentioned before there'll be no easy way to stop it if at all. Guess you'll have to keep all that dodgy stuff on W7 in case the Feds find out!!
     
  8. jack90125

    jack90125 Registered Member

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    go into task schedular and disable them that apply to sending data to ms.
    sheesh good thing this is a wilders forum
     
  9. arran

    arran Registered Member

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    I very much doubt microsoft would of gone as far as poisoning http traffic just to phone home.

    Any way this shouldn't be an issue just disable the service, Use some thing like Curr ports or Port explorer and a softare firewall to block, you can even block all microsoft's IP addresses.
    I think even most Hardware Routers give you the ability to block IP addresses.

    This stuff isn't Rocket Science you know.
     
  10. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

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    I don't think they really need to do that.

    You might be right, but then again, if Windows 7 needs to call home both for normal functioning and to send telemetry data, you might have some serious problems in blocking EXACTLY the part of the data that you don't want to be sent.
     
  11. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    Exactly......
     
  12. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    Experience and analysis. It might not fit directly into this topic. (because it is a omnipresent internet thing) Ignore it or play it down, but it is a matter of fact.
     
  13. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    As long as it doesn't keep you up at night..... ;)
     
  14. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    I like to play puzzle and deciphering.:D :D :D Never thought that the global internet control use such simple methods. It is only a neverending childish scattered puzzle nothing else... don´t know why but it is so known to me specially to my subcon. The ww mindmass can´t produce something new, it only can reproduce the very old things, understand?! :D
     
  15. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    A question: does Vista send telemetry data ? (I did a quick search, but found nothing conclusive)

    I'm still on Windows XP: presumable this OS doesn't send telemetry data ?
     
  16. arran

    arran Registered Member

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    Why would Windows 7 need to call home so it can function normally?? If that is the case then how would it function and work when you first install it??
    Going by your logic it wouldn't be possible for anyone to try and use Windows 7 unless they were connected to the internet 24/7.
     
  17. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    No, I saw telemetry folder there too, afaik. Might be some NT specific thing.
     
  18. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Can you tell me what the telemetry folder looks like ?
    Does it send telemetry data out as frequently as Windows 7, is this a regular occurance, depending on something, and is there anything you can do about it (like block by a firewall ) ??

    Thanks for any answers.
     
  19. The Hammer

    The Hammer Registered Member

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    He's not smoking anything. His tin hat is on too tight, that's all.;)
     
  20. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    Exactly.:p ;)
    Mostly located in temporary folder, looks like "telemetry submit".
     
  21. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    (Windows XP Home Edition service pack 2 plus essential updates):

    I changed a few settings like 'hide system folders', to improve chances.

    A search for 'telemetry submit' did not yield any results.

    A search for 'telemetry' (located in temorary files) yielded:
    'http://clients1.google.X/complete/search?...'

    X here stands for the country I live in - no reason to advertise it here :p
    In the USA X would be com (google.com).
    Google is my default search engine (IE 7).
    I doubt this is what you mean - can you elaborate ?
    I recently restored an image- but not today.
     
  22. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    LOL... :D :thumb:
     
  23. arran

    arran Registered Member

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    can you elaborate and post screenie?
     
  24. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

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    I don't doubt your sincere belief, but I doubt the use of the word "fact." Your own signature line should be remembered:
    "There is no security there are only different degrees of insecurity. The first victim of war is the truth."
     
  25. SystemJunkie

    SystemJunkie Resident Conspiracy Theorist

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    Maybe it was another telemetry thing I saw (it was Windows XP) and looked like the guy explained there: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1218194
    It was a temp folder called MP telemetry submit.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2009
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