Ed Bott - Windows 10 Support Secrets

49 CHAPTER 3 | Staying secure Figure 3-14: This blood-red warning indicates a file that is known to be malicious and is blocked from downloading, with no option to override that decision. Finally, Figure 3-15 shows what happens when you try to run a downloaded app that hasn’t established a positive reputation. It’s not digitally signed by a trusted software publisher and it hasn’t been downloaded enough yet to be cleared as safe. In the interests of safety, Windows blocks execution of the file. Figure 3-15: With Windows 10, SmartScreen extends beyond the browser. In this case, the feature has blocked an unrecognized file that might be potentially dangerous. If you’re certain that the file is safe, you can click More Info to see options that allow you to run it. Privacy settings In our always-on, always-connected world, devices and servers are constantly communicating with one another. The inevitable by-product of all that chatter is the exchange of a great deal of information. You have every right to be concerned about how that information is collected and used and you should be aware of controls available for you to adjust privacy settings to your comfort level. With Windows 10, your first step should be to read the Microsoft Privacy Statement, which is published a t https://privacy.microsoft.com and is updated occasionally. Yes, it’s a legal document, but it’s also written in fairly plain language and doesn’t require advanced technical skills to read. After you familiarize yourself with that document (OK, you probably didn’t read it, but at least now you know how to find it), you can visit the Privacy section in Settings, where you’ll find dozens of options in a long list of categories. Probably the most widely publicized type of data collection from Windows 10 is called telemetry . This information, in aggregate, helps Windows engineers build a more secure and reliable operating system, the company says. Telemetry reports, which are sent occasionally to Microsoft’s servers, include data about how you and your users interact with Windows, such as how frequently or how long you use certain features or apps and which apps you use most often. Telemetry also includes enhanced diagnostic information collected when a system or app crash occurs. Other reports measure the reliability of devices, the operating system, and apps. In Windows 10, telemetry data is stored on dedicated servers that are used exclusively for reliability purposes. All telemetry data includes an anonymous device ID and device type. The point of those