Newsletter Archives

• Is there a DNS Blackhole in your future?

  Posted on August 9, 2020 at 23:05 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PRIVACY

  By Richard Hay

  Managing your online security and privacy is a never-ending battle.

  There is a variety of tools for this task, but each has its limitations. So I decided to experiment with a somewhat lesser-known technique called DNS Blackholes. Here’s my report on a journey of discovery.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.31.0 (2020-08-10).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Privacy Anonymous mode, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, DNS Blackholes, Personal DNS, Raspberry Pi, VPNs

• Technology in a pandemic

  Posted on July 27, 2020 at 01:15 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums
  

  COVID-19

  By Susan Bradley

  We all have good years and bad, but 2020 has been rough on everyone.

  The pandemic has damaged world economies, caused untold disruptions to our education systems, put millions in financial peril, and tested our ability to socialize responsibly — and it’s not over yet.

  In the face of those difficulties, I’ve been impressed and encouraged by how people have adjusted their personal lives, their work, and their businesses. And much of that adaptation involves technology. Interestingly, quite a bit of that tech is not based on Windows.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.29.0 (2020-07-27).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Privacy, Security AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Digital signatures, Online shopping, Video conferencing, Virtual socializing

• Patch Lady – would you opt in for tracking?

  Posted on April 26, 2020 at 22:08 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  I kinda know how this is going to go before I post it but I thought this was interesting.  So I know how everyone feels about telemetry.  Here’s the ULTIMATE telemetry:

  Tracking yourself.

  Australia is rolling out an app that uses bluetooth to track your proximity with others to show your risk of COVID-19.  China even has a tracking app that sounds even more impactful big brotherish.

  So what do you think?  Would you use it?  Are you using it?  IDG’s techtalk talks about what the apps do and what the intent is.

  If you want a big under the hood review of the Australian app, check out this twitter thread.

   

  Privacy Patch Lady Posts

• Thurrott: Frustrating changes to the Win10 version 1909 installation experience

  Posted on November 20, 2019 at 08:20 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  I vividly recall writing around the installation process for Win10 version 1809 in Win10 All-In-One For Dummies. Microsoft did everything it could to convince you to set up your system with a Microsoft Account — and thus permanently brand your machine with your Microsoft i.d.

  I think that stinks. Most people are better off setting up a new PC with a local account (Microsoft calls it an “offline account” and, now, a “limited experience” account). MS setup should make it easy to keep this fundamental bit of snooping at bay.

  But it doesn’t.

  Paul Thurrott has gone through the maze with a fresh installation of the latest version of Windows 10, version 1909, and come up with some surprising results. Microsoft still plays a cat-and-mouse game with local accounts, but if you set up a machine while offline (thus forcing the installer to step you through setting up a local account), and then plug your machine back into the internet, Microsoft forces you to go through the installation process again.

  Of course, if you’re upgrading a machine to version 1909, you’re spared the indignity. But those of you setting up Win10 on a new computer are going to get pushed and shoved even harder into branding it with your Microsoft Account.

  Tell me again how Google snooping is so much worse than Microsoft snooping….

  Privacy, Windows 10 Local account, Win10 1909 installation

• How to view and protect the privacy of your MS account

  Posted on October 28, 2019 at 01:15 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PRIVACY

  By Lance Whitney

  Microsoft accounts are used to sign in to Windows, access Office 365 and other services, purchase Microsoft products, and manage devices. But those accounts are also used by Microsoft to keep tabs on us.

  Through your MS account, the company can track the websites you visit, the activities you perform online, and even the places you go in the real world via your mobile device. You can, however, limit and remove the data Microsoft collects about you — to some extent. Within your online Microsoft Account page, you can view and clear your browsing history, check your privacy settings for specific apps and services, review and control targeted ads directed at you, and even download an archive of your Microsoft-related activities.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.39.0 (2019-10-28).

  Privacy AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Collected user data, MS account settings
• Newer Entries »