Microsoft’s new and more aggressive monitoring of Windows systems has caused considerable discussion. Whether you believe all the telemetry is a privacy concern or not, you might be interested in an easy way to block the extensive information gathering. The developers at the well-known anti-spyware company Spybot have now provided a free utility called Spybot Anti-Beacon that makes configuring many privacy settings very convenient.
The utility can be used in Windows 7, 8.x, and 10 and comes as either an installer version or a version designated as portable. The portable application actually comes as an EXE installer that places a number of files in a folder. Also the portable is labeled version 1.4 while the installed is version 1.5. I tried both and there seem to be a few added configurations in version 1.5. Normally, I go for portable apps but in this case I would choose the installer version. The download and descriptive pages for each can be reached from this link. The downloads are 1.6 MB for the portable version and 2.6 MB for the installer version. Space actually used when installed is larger at around 4-8 MB.
Because of its nature, the program has to be run with administrative rights and will trigger a UAC challenge. The interface is easy to use. Examples of the interface for Windows 7 and for Windows 10 are shown in the first two graphics below. If changing the settings causes any problems, they are easily undone with the click of a button. Unfortunately, users of Home versions of Windows will not have the group policy settings.
Top comments
Istanbul_Kop
4 Nov 1519#2
Seems good. Anything to block those pig molesting milk snatchers in 10 Downing Street?
buggerM3
4 Nov 1510#12
Facebook uses spyware as part of its interface, so it can track where you have been and what you have typed to show you targeted advertisements
So the answer if you want to remain anonymous is to get off the Web and start writing letters and reading books at the library instead
tafkas
5 Nov 159#18
Wow, I could make a killing on tinfoil in this topic.
waqasahmed to dabcorp
6 Nov 158#33
Why not let the gov't put cameras inside your home and inside your car? After all, they're only concerned with crime. Having cameras inside your car, means they can see who has crashed in to you
Having one inside your home, means that they can see if any burglars come in
Assuming you wouldn't want that, why would you be OK with the gov't spying on you in your house, using a laptop?
Do you have something to hide, dabcorp?
All comments (46)
antdav
4 Nov 153#1
Istanbul_Kop
4 Nov 1519#2
Seems good. Anything to block those pig molesting milk snatchers in 10 Downing Street?
difficult_guy to Istanbul_Kop
4 Nov 151#13
hahah you made me laugh.....
pedropecker to Istanbul_Kop
5 Nov 15#21
LOL It will not block anything they want to do??
I would be Interested to know if it will block all the personal data windows 10 collects and sends to the microsoft mafia!!
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
The utility can be used in Windows 7, 8.x, and 10 and comes as either an installer version or a version designated as portable. The portable application actually comes as an EXE installer that places a number of files in a folder. Also the portable is labeled version 1.4 while the installed is version 1.5. I tried both and there seem to be a few added configurations in version 1.5. Normally, I go for portable apps but in this case I would choose the installer version. The download and descriptive pages for each can be reached from this link. The downloads are 1.6 MB for the portable version and 2.6 MB for the installer version. Space actually used when installed is larger at around 4-8 MB.
Because of its nature, the program has to be run with administrative rights and will trigger a UAC challenge. The interface is easy to use. Examples of the interface for Windows 7 and for Windows 10 are shown in the first two graphics below. If changing the settings causes any problems, they are easily undone with the click of a button. Unfortunately, users of Home versions of Windows will not have the group policy settings.
Top comments
So the answer if you want to remain anonymous is to get off the Web and start writing letters and reading books at the library instead
Having one inside your home, means that they can see if any burglars come in
Assuming you wouldn't want that, why would you be OK with the gov't spying on you in your house, using a laptop?
Do you have something to hide, dabcorp?
All comments (46)
I would be Interested to know if it will block all the personal data windows 10 collects and sends to the microsoft mafia!!