Slashdot Mirror
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."
If you set up Outlook Express to access a Hotmail account, it checks for messages, even when you're not logged in. The login screen shows the number of waiting messages. I don't really use my Hotmail account (just use it for spam bait when I need to give an e-mail address). So, when I boot up my system, the login screen shows the number of waiting messages.
Pretty spooky to have your system checking mail for you even before you've asked it to, and displaying the results ON THE LOGIN SCREEN for the whole world to see. It's a pretty minimal information leak, but still, it shouldn't be happening. I've found no way to turn it off, at least none that actually work.
Win XP is basically Win2000 with an AOL interface. At my next 6-month reinstall, I'm going back.
I mean, for Christ's sakes, Google logs my search terms when I search, along with my IP address! That's how pagerank works! How can you not expect them to log your search terms?!?
If you freaks (in general) aren't happy with this, I suggest you stop using search engines.