XP Search Assistant silently connects to Microsoft

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
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According to The Register when you use MS Search Assistant for local searches it connects to MS to download files, and when you do a net search it fowards info about the search to MS. They claim they've "no longer" logging your IP address.
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
6,226
686
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Well, with the camera they have all over my office, they no longer need to log my IP..
 

JellyBaby

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
9,159
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XP also secretly goes out to match your PCs clock with an atomic clock out on the net. The ramifications of this are staggering. We all have the right to set our clocks ourselves and not be burden with the convenience of having it done for us.
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
13,126
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well i wish it would set my clock on XP. Must be broken or something because its off by about 3 and a half hours.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
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<< well i wish it would set my clock on XP. Must be broken or something because its off by about 3 and a half hours. >>


Double click clock, internet time tab.
 

shurato

Platinum Member
Sep 24, 2000
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Well run a firewall and then you won't have that problem. I run tiny firewall on my xp box and i just prevent my search assistant from trying to make an outbound connection much like i deny media player from making a connection also.
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
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www.theshoppinqueen.com


<< Well run a firewall and then you won't have that problem. I run tiny firewall on my xp box and i just prevent my search assistant from trying to make an outbound connection much like i deny media player from making a connection also. >>



Really, besides anybody who thinks MS products haven't been phoning home like ET for a long time now is deluding themselves :)
 

XZeroII

Lifer
Jun 30, 2001
12,572
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GOOD LORD!!! You're joking right? I used the search feature once. I'm screwed now. I've gotta leave town, change phone numbers, cancel credit cards, change my name because Microsoft sent some info about a SEARCH I DID!! AHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
 

GermyBoy

Banned
Jun 5, 2001
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<< GOOD LORD!!! You're joking right? I used the search feature once. I'm screwed now. I've gotta leave town, change phone numbers, cancel credit cards, change my name because Microsoft sent some info about a SEARCH I DID!! AHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH >>



Jeez man, did you search for kiddie porn or something?
AH! You must've searched for Metallica.mp3. HAHA, you're really gonna get screwed for that one!
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
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<< GOOD LORD!!! You're joking right? I used the search feature once. I'm screwed now. I've gotta leave town, >>

Well, you ignore them collecting what DVDs you play and what searches you make, then what else will they collect and send? And what else are they already collecting now that just hasn't been caught? And how certain can you be about their "no personally identifiable information" claim since they've been caught "accidentally" sending such info before?

Gotta go, the black helicopters are landing outside....
 
Apr 5, 2000
13,256
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<<

<< GOOD LORD!!! You're joking right? I used the search feature once. I'm screwed now. I've gotta leave town, >>

Well, you ignore them collecting what DVDs you play and what searches you make, then what else will they collect and send? And what else are they already collecting now that just hasn't been caught? And how certain can you be about their "no personally identifiable information" claim since they've been caught "accidentally" sending such info before?

Gotta go, the black helicopters are landing outside....
>>



Big brother has been doing that for years now. What makes you think it's only MS that's doing it?
 

DigDug

Guest
Mar 21, 2002
3,143
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Its shocking how little people care about their privacy, or understand the implication of such nonchalance. You all wanted to be corralled like cattle, don't you?

:)
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
13,126
3
0


<<

<< well i wish it would set my clock on XP. Must be broken or something because its off by about 3 and a half hours. >>


Double click clock, internet time tab.
>>




its still off by an hour.