Windows Updates - Does Microsoft upload your info?

[Prescott]

When you do the MS windows update and it automatically scans your PC and tells you which updates you need......is any of your info being sent to MS?

I am sure they claim not....but I am a little suspicious

 

[ShadowHunter]

*sigh*

Enuf with the "Microsoft is as evil and as privacy-invading as the government is" attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They SAY they don't, so get over it!

 

[LiQiCE]

This has been an issue since windowsupdate.com was first introduced in Windows 98, and Microsoft SWEARS that they don't collect any information from it. I have never ever heard a report of someone's private information being leaked due to windowsupdate.com so I wouldn't worry about it ... If they really wanted your information they would make registration part of activation in Windows XP, that way they would know who is using their software. But they aren't even doing that ... I think Microsoft needs to add that statement "Windowsupdate.com is scanning your PC for needed updates. This is done without sending any information to Microsoft." ... (Thats the way it used to be in the OLD Windowsupdate.com, but it looks like they forgot to re-add it to the new one, I'm sure it will be back up there soon.) The way I understand windowsupdate.com is that it works like this... It sends you the complete list of updates that it has, and your computer compares that list with the updates it already has installed (Every HotFix that you install leaves a mark in your registry or somewhere to state that it has been installed). The ActiveX application on your computer then displays the ones that you haven't downloaded yet, and displays them so you can click the boxes and then tell Microsoft to send you those patches.

So just about the only information you're sending to Microsoft is that you're downloading XYZ patch.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Not really. All that is uploaded are your coordinates so Bill gates knows where to point the camera on one of his satellites so he knows what you are doing all the time.

 

[Pepsi90919]

LiQiCE, it already says "Note Windows Update does not collect any form of personally identifiable information from your computer."

 

[greenfirs]

Windows Update by itself may not collect personally identifiable information on its own, but you can bet your bibby that if you have a Passport (and if you have a hotmail or msn account, you do), Bill Gates can correlate the information from Windows Update with the information you submitted during your Passport registration, and get all the personally identifiable information that he needs.

That way, he can figure out your name, address, birthdate, credit card numbers, location, IP address, ISP, hardware configuration, the software installed on your hard drive, and how much porn you have.

This is a privacy violator's wet dream.

 

[IBuyUFO]

even if he gets your passport or whatever he can't do anything about it because in the web page it says they're not collecting information. The court would have a field day with microsoft for violating your privacy if that were to happen.

 

[GigaCluster]

IMO, the most reliable way to find out whether Microsoft is sending your personal data to their servers is to set up a packet sniffer, then watch the TCP stream between you and their servers. That will show you the entire communication.

My packet sniffer of choice is Ethereal. It's free and excellent.

 

[chansen]

If you're concerned about WU, just download the updates separately from the Download Centre, then burn to CD. That way, you download once, and keep your paranoia in check.

Geesh.