XP, Phone Home

Randomeyes writes: "The Register reports that Windows XP has functionality built-in to the Search Companion module that allows Microsoft to log users internet searches. Information collected includes user IP address, search term and related information. A cookie is also set. 'TrustUnWorthy Computing' anyone?" Tanveer1979 writes: though, that "the bright side is that it doesn't send anything to internet, it only downloads files, and compares the files on your computer with the files on server. And I guess a little effort is needed for the malicious to program it to send your data to web."

Comments

Re:Please explain

[Zico]

Yes, but Bash, Netscape etc. doesn't trasmit that dat back to an 800lb gorrila, my friend.

Preach on, brother! Erm, oh wait...

Newsbytes: Netscape Navigator Browser Snoops On Web Searches

"According to a network traffic analysis performed by Newsbytes, Netscape is capturing Navigator 6 users' search terms, along with their Internet protocol (IP) address, the date Navigator was installed and a unique identification number."

Hmmm, a unique identification number, eh? So forget logging your IP address with your search (which Microsoft and the other search engines claim not to do), forget gathering demographic data (which the XP Search Assistant also doesn't do), but Netscape is actually using a unique ID numbers to tie searches to specific individual users.

Wanna try again? ;)

Re:In places where Internet is still expensive

[fruey]

Yes, but ISDN isn't all that popular. Most people who have per-minute connections are modem users who definately WOULD notice if their machine was trying to connect in the background.

Where are you from to generalise like that? ISDN is very popular here, where DSL is not available at all, and regular phone lines suck.

IMHO, internet integration is a good thing. I like the net integration with KDE for instance. However, the type of "internet integration" Microsoft practices is not normally to the benefit of the user. This doesn't invalidate the whole concept though.

Only if Internet is not expensive (my whole point).

Better get a flat rate connection then. Per-minute connections are good for low-level users, the type that check their email once every couple of days etc.

I don't live in Europe. I am giving Europe as an example. I live in Morocco. There is NO SUCH THING as a flat rate connection buddy. That's why it costs me $2/hour whatever I do, unless I can kick down $400/month for a 64kbps leased line. Yes, that's four hundred bucks.