Windows 10 Privacy: Five Important Settings to Change At the time of the Windows 10 launch, 1.5 billion users worldwide had some version of Windows installed. Users who opted for a free upgrade to Windows 10 would be affected by the new operating system and its privacy policies. This article helps users address the most pressing security and privacy issues in Windows 10. Windows 10 Start Menu Phones Home Soon after its release, news about Windows 10 contacting Microsoft servers for seemingly innocuous user functions made the rounds on news sites and forums. In this example, even after privacy and security settings were optimized, Microsoft’s servers still attempt retrieve information from the user’s computer based on their use of the Start Menu search bar. Windows 10: New Security Features Despite the negative publicity regarding privacy and security, Windows 10 shows promise with regards to its access control features. The new Windows Hello application allows users to log in using biometric criteria such as their eye color (retina), facial features, or fingerprints. Additionally, Microsoft’s new web browser Edge was tested using a bug bounty program. How to Manage Windows 10 WiFi Sense Security Risks Windows WiFi sense is intended to automatically connect users to open networks, accept a WiFi network’s terms of service automatically, and enable the exchange of password-protected WiFi network access with contacts, providing internet access without revealing one another’s passwords. However, some default aspects of this feature have caused users to be concerned regarding their security and privacy. Windows 10 Privacy: Microsoft’s Official Statement Microsoft officially addressed the wide range of privacy concerns that have been reported regarding large-scale data collection in Windows 10. Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, posted to the official blog and reiterated the company’s commitment to listening to customer feedback regarding privacy concerns, though some of the article reads like a public relations exercise.
