By Mac Slavo
Yesterday we reported that an international group of hackers claim they have breached Apple’s iCloud user database and stolen 300 million usernames and passwords. The group has threatened to initiate a widespread factory reset on April 7th, 2017, potentially wiping out data on tens of millions of iPhones and iCloud accounts should Apple fail to pay a ransom.
But that breach by nefarious hackers, while serious, is nothing compared to what your trusted operating system provider may be doing on your personal computer.
According to a recent report, if you are a Windows 10 user then every single keystroke you have ever typed on your computer may have been logged and sent to Microsoft.
You know those nagging questions during the installation process that ask you whether or not you want to “help” improve Windows by sending data to Microsoft? If you happened to answer “yes” to one of these questions, or if you went with the Microsoft default installation, there is a real possibility that everything you have done on your computer from the get-go, including sending “secure” messages (because the keyboard logger captures your keystrokes before they appear in your secure messaging app), is now a part of a massive user database somewhere.
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.
Via IB Times
If you are OK with sharing your personal messages, usernames and passwords with Microsoft for the betterment of the Windows universe, then there is nothing else you need to do at this time.
But if you are concerned about your personal privacy, there are two ways to avoid having your computer spied on using this keylogger method.
Choose A Custom Installation
When installing Windows 10 for the first time you’ll want to select a ‘Custom Install’. This will allow you to choose what you do or do not want activated. To be safe, select ‘no’ for all options related to sending information or data to Microsoft or third-parties.
Update Your Privacy Settings
There is a simple way to identify whether or not your typing activities are being logged.
Simply click on your Windows 10 Start Menu. From there, go to Settings (or the gear icon) -> Privacy -> General
You’ll want to turn off the option that says, “Send Microsoft info about how I write to help us improve typing and writing in the future.”
Once moved to the ‘Off’ position, Microsoft keyword logging should no longer be a problem.
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But even though Microsoft will no longer be accessing your data, keep in mind that recent leaked documents reveal most devices have been compromised by intelligence services, meaning that not only can they see what you are typing to friends, family and business colleagues, but they can remotely monitor your voice and video communications in real-time without you even knowing its happening, including when you think your computer is turned off.
Related:
- Alert: Massive Breach Threatens To Wipe Out 300 Million iPhones On April 7th Unless Apple Pays Ransom
- Conspiracy Theorists Vindicated: CIA Uses “Hacking, Trojans, Viruses, And Weaponized Malware”
- Creepy Tracking Tech Gone Too Far: “Police Surveillance Now Fully Automated and Integrated Into Wireless Networks”
- Widespread Surveillance State: “At This Rate We’ll All Be In Cages… Either Electronic Or Literal”
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You can read more from Mac Slavo at his site SHTFplan.com
ALSO READ: Hello Biometrics – Windows 10 to Add Facial Recognition, Iris Scans and Fingerprint Reader
Image Credit: Pixabay.com
Mac user since 1985. ?
I understand the desire to take steps and avoid the spying.
Its obvious from all of the comments above we acknowledge the spying and have taken steps to basically out run it. Many will not like my next statement but, running is not the answer. We shouldn’t have to run from the violation and by doing so enables the violators. We can only run so far and then run out of room.
These illegal actions should be faced, and headed off. I know there are too few right now to make this stand, but if we start organizing and standing together we can begin to make a difference.
Plant these seeds in your fellow man.
Good point. I post this a lot…
Look at your own life as being an agent of change that will help carry water. Attend any meeting that affects the life and livelihood of you and yours…PTA, city and county councils, school boards, anything on Agenda 21, flouride, cell towers, vacinations, land annexation, etc. We need to be like the white blood cells of our bodies. They go and fight infection at the site to the benefit of the whole body.
What you mentioned is exactly what will get you on Hillaroid’s NSA hit list, but I totally agree with you. Oh, shiit, I guess I’m going to be on their list also.
NOTHING is private or secure from the government/globalists, including Mac computers!!!
Feed up with Windows ads, spyware, and viruses I switched totally to Linux two years ago. Never been happier with my operating system. Ubuntu Mate does a great job, and can be made to look like Win 7 if you so desire. Easy to use and no need of command line, they now have a GUI for what you need.
GNU Linux user for the last 10 to 15 years. Have a friend that does contracting work for government, he’s a “rock star” IT guy too. He has yet to root my system or do any kind of access. Yes, he has tried or more than one occasion, and serious efforts. Admittedly though whatever I put out for the Web & Internet is open.
I also use a program that changes my MAC address at random, a firewall, an ISP firewall, user agent spoofers, IP spoofers. Some might see my access coming from a certain geographic area, that area is roughly 150 in diameter though. I might be in that circle, or I might not. The government only uses 14 to 16 character passphrases/words.
I use 18 to 24 character ones, that really steams mt friend’s veggies too. *chuckles* Shoot, he hasn’t even cracked my 11 or 12 character ‘general use’ password in about 8 years.
Granted, I know well enough that there is not 100 % iron clad security. I do practice my own due diligence though. I read/see articles like this and feel quite glad to have switched to GNU Linux all those years ago. “Problem using Microsoft software? Use Linux, problem solved.” 🙂
Helpful info, thank you. What browser do you recommend – given all the talk of snooping?
Really not so much a matter of which browser in this case. You have to be a bit more privacy minded, yourself. I currently run Pale Moon, GNU Ice Cat, Qupzilla, Firefox, Opera, Chromium (Not Google Chrome but the Open Source unbranded Chromium). I weigh out what I’m doing online then. Use privacy minded add-ons like HTTPS Everywhere, Random User Agent Switcher, UBlock Origin, St up in preferences to not send tracking cookies. No one browser specifically, in my experience, is a “total security” browser. If you really want even further security, use TAILS which is anonymous portable Linux with Tor set up in it so that you’re full enshrouded in obscurity. Again, it all depends up your choice of pros over cons and need. If you need that level of security I would consider not even connecting at all.
I guess the NSA will just ignore Linux users – lol. If you are connected to the internet – they own you!
The info collected from your phone is enough to destroy you if they wanted to. The best security is to stop the corruption in our government. Allowing the media to report lies and propaganda will give massive power to corrupt globalists as we have been witnessing. Our biggest concern is for those fighting against the organized crime that has been running our world for decades. When those doing the right thing are hacked and murdered, a 1984 scenario will be the future of our world. Thank you Trump for going up against the corrupt establishment cartel (shadow government). You are a hero of incredible proportions!
I doubt they will ignore Linux users. That noted I’m sure they are aware Linux allows far more options and choice to secure itself. This kind of lends to thieves not robbing places with obvious signs of having security systems in place.
It’ll take longer to gain access, longer time needed to gain access lends to more time for fouling up, getting caught. I’m sure the last they would desire is enough users coming forward public with documented proof of their invasion / intrusion attempts. Kind of difficult to deny several different affidavits sworn out and class action suits filed against government agencies.
As for my phone. Well if they want to hose up the bare bones basic Trac phone that I use, they’re more welcome to it. I only use it to phone my wife, and my mom once a month. I can talk to my wife in person daily. I can talk to my mom and wife both over secured instant messaging daily if needed. Mom and I kind of have an agreement and understanding, “no news is good news”.
You presume too much without having knowledge and attempt boosting your ego. Sorry, none of this is about that. Your seeming lack of knowing this gives me pause. Please do have a nice one, whatever it may be for you. I’m going on my merry way too. Run ‘er slow.
Your defensive comment (where it wasn’t needed) seems to show betterboy hit a nerve.
He’s absolutely correct. His comment addresses the root cause while your suggestions only deal with the symptom.
Eventually, you will run out of places to hide.
The NSA uses and has contributed security mods to Linux. The DOD has approved it for targeting systems. While nothing is fool-proof, unless the gremlins are deliberately targeting you, Linux is “secure enough”.
Ben…would you post or be willing to send the MAC address app?
ty
In the Debian distribution I use what is called Mac changer. It has a proper package name but if you look for that in Synaptic it ought to give you what is needed.
While I commend Mac Slavo on his warning of probable spying, and the past discoveries have shown violations of privacy by nefarious groups including the government, however, the article is full of “claims by a group”, statements like “may have been”, and “its been reported”. These are very ambiguous statements that don’t give a discerning reader confidence that a solid investigation has been done to prove the claims.
America needs to question everything they see hear and read with the approach of… can it be proven in a court of law. Would it stand up backed by REAL evidence?
Our world has become nothing but spin and sensationalized claims to sell something. We are spinning out of control with this desire to sway, sell, manipulate, trick, or outright lie. Many titles on so called alternate news websites are intentionally misleading to get people to click on them to the point we now have a term to define it.
This twisted and exaggerated environment that surrounds us has made people start to give up.
We can’t seem to escape it, and as we move forward, and suspicions of spying and manipulation are proven that were once considered conspiracy theory, weighs down the spirit and mental resolve of the people.
They begin to think, It’s too much, there’s nothing I can do to stop it. But there is. They want you to give up hope. They want you to give up trying. Start saying NO, even in small ways. Question things that don’t sound right or make sense. When others see your example they will follow.
Obedience is doing what you’re told no matter if it is right.
Morality is doing what is right no matter what you are told.
This is not new news. It was discovered W10 was logging everything back in the early days of the Insider program. It was never turned off once W10 went live. Though, M$ never said they were going to turn it off. This and the fact that W10 was obviously (even back then), going to become an Advertising platform instead of an OS, were the reasons lots of people dropped off the insiders program, me included.
As I said back then, W10 is an unmitigated disaster…. This has proven to be right!
Rofl at stop it. Please, be real on this.
I suggest everyone ditch MSNW10.
Thanks Ben.
I was attempting to do my own spoofing but ran up against the wall on how to change the mac address.