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☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.ml to Privacy@lemmy.mlEnglish · 4 months ago

Microsoft admits Windows 11 has a GDID tracker with no off switch, first documented publicly in an FBI hacker complaint

www.windowslatest.com

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  • privacy@lemmy.ml
  • privacy@programming.dev
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Microsoft admits Windows 11 has a GDID tracker with no off switch, first documented publicly in an FBI hacker complaint

www.windowslatest.com

☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.ml to Privacy@lemmy.mlEnglish · 4 months ago
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  • cross-posted to:
  • privacy@lemmy.ml
  • privacy@programming.dev
GDID is the persistent Windows ID that helped FBI trace a Scattered Spider hacker despite VPNs. Here's how it works and how to limit it.
  • ramenshaman@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    ELI5?

    • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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      4 months ago

      Imagine your computer has a secret ID number that Microsoft gives it when you sign in with your Microsoft account. This number is like a permanent nametag that your computer wears. Even if you use a VPN to hide your location, that nametag stays the same.

      A hacker used a VPN to hide while breaking into a jewelry store’s computer system. But Microsoft helped the FBI find him because his computer’s secret nametag kept showing up everywhere he went online. They matched that nametag to his social media accounts and other stuff he did, and that’s how they caught him. Most people didn’t even know this secret nametag existed, and you can’t turn it off without breaking your computer.

      • ☂️-@lemmy.ml
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        3 months ago

        deleted by creator

        • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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          4 months ago

          also to login with edge on top of that

        • shneancy@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          the average lemmy user is much more tech literate than an average person

          people really don’t know that kind of stuff. to many a computer is a computer, it has internet, and plays games… what’s an operating system?

          • ☂️-@lemmy.ml
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            deleted by creator

          • Dpek@lemmy.zip
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            4 months ago

            People cant figure out how to connect their idiotic tv (marketed as smart tv) to the streaming box

            And others cant figure out how to turn the ac to cold and are “afraid of breaking it” bruh its a ac, the worst you can do is set a timer

        • LarsIsCool@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          didnt know Microsoft is a Charli XCX fan

      • MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip
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        4 months ago

        They were logged in while using it for crime? That’s like posting about it on facebook.

        • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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          4 months ago

          basically

      • ramenshaman@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Thanks! He should have used Linux

        • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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          4 months ago

          unfortunately https://lemmy.ml/post/49710604

          • ramenshaman@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            I imagine there’s a distro that would work. Kali maybe?

            • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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              4 months ago

              yeah probably, and you can tweak any distro to rotate it too, just most people don’t realize it’s a thing in the first place

          • FudgyMcTubbs@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            I’m surprised they havent created some sort of software that changes your machine-id every 12 hours or something.

            • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.mlOP
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              4 months ago

              oh you can do that with linux, even with systemd, just takes a bit of tinkering

      • krolden@lemmy.ml
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        4 months ago

        Calling him a hacker is pretty generous if he let them catch him like this

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