Hey all,

A major reason I switched to linux was privacy issues with Windows XP. Several of these issues were tracking done by microsoft with activation, privacy issues through windows updates where it sends a complete list of what is installed on your computer, privacy issues with Windows XP sending all your local file search entries to microsoft...

all of those sorts of privacy issues were a major reason for me to switch to linux. I was wondering if anyone knows of an article or website which addresses these issues with proof and discusses them. Or, a website that shows even more than I have listed here, because I am sure there are many more... and many we don't know about.

Thank you!
George

There have been a few shakey (and I mean very shakey) articles in regard to activation. But all it looks for is the hardware of the system its installed on if you are truly paranoid one could call them and activate it that way. In fact most people never see the activation system because most people buy their PC with it preinstalled in which case the OEM has more then likely already activated it. Which means none of your "personal" information was ever sent out. Never sends out a list of all your programs and thats a new one never heard that before. And never sends out what files you are lookign for because frankly MS really doesn't care what you look for.

I really doubt MS "spies" on you and what you do. its way too big of a business gamble. The worst they do is once in a while on Windows Update verfies you are not using a stolen key code.

actually, from what I understand windows update does send a list of all programs installed

and, if you use a firewall, watch your outgoing traffic after you do a local search, you will see your computer try to contact a server.

I found no one even remotely mentioning that issue in a google search. if there was even the slightest chance someone would have made some website about it or something. Since there seems to be a severe lack of proof on that issue I highly doubt its true.