All the "things" being talked about windows 11. Security, spyware, and etc.

TraderGary said:

I'm sure you believe what you're saying, but I really do know what I'm talking about. I do have some qualifications. I retired as a Microsoft Windows Systems engineer.

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So you think cookies are not a security and privacy problem? How naive. I've 50 years in the industry. I don't believe, I know. It's what is spearheading current tech for hacking. You might want to brush up on current tech....

Kojack said:

Well we can remove it off our machines.

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No AI here on these PCs - poof gone

From Copilot:

Microsoft Edge includes multiple layers of protection against cookie-related vulnerabilities, including tracking prevention, secure cookie handling, and real-time threat detection

Key Cookie Security Features in Microsoft Edge (2025)

• Tracking Prevention: Edge offers three levels of tracking prevention (Basic, Balanced, and Strict), which block third-party cookies and trackers that follow users across websites.
• SameSite Cookie Enforcement: Edge enforces the SameSite attribute for cookies, which restricts cross-site cookie access unless explicitly allowed. This helps prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
• Secure and HttpOnly Flags: Cookies in Edge are marked with Secure and HttpOnly flags by default when appropriate, ensuring they’re only transmitted over HTTPS and inaccessible via JavaScript.
• Scareware Blocker: Introduced in Edge version 142, this feature uses machine learning to detect and block tech support scams and malicious sites that may attempt to steal cookies or session data.
• Defender SmartScreen Integration: Edge integrates with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to block known phishing and malware sites that distribute infostealers targeting cookies.
• Security Baselines: Microsoft provides downloadable security baselines for Edge, including cookie handling policies, which organizations can enforce across devices.

How to Strengthen Cookie Protection in Edge

• Enable Strict tracking prevention in Edge settings.
• Use InPrivate browsing for sensitive sessions.
• Regularly clear cookies and site data.
• Keep Edge updated to the latest version for new security patches.

Edge is designed to be one of the most secure browsers available, especially for enterprise and privacy-conscious users.

ultrajv said:

So you think cookies are not a security and privacy problem? How naive. I've 50 years in the industry. I don't believe, I know. It's what is spearheading current tech for hacking. You might want to brush up on current tech....

https://identitymanagementinstitute.org/computer-cookie-dangers/

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What browser do you use? Do you delete all cookies and site data when closing your browser?

Kojack said:

Recently there has been ALOT of noise about security, privacy and overall meddling by MS in windows 11 and their involvement with Ai everything.

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Depends on how paranoid one is. I, for one, am not freaked out about any of it. There's not one thing in my run of the mill, boring, computer habits I have to hide. I'll leave all the gloom, doom, and fretting to everyone else.

glasskuter said:

Depends on how paranoid one is. I, for one, am not freaked out about any of it. There's not one thing in my run of the mill, boring, computer habits I have to hide. I'll leave all the gloom, doom, and fretting to everyone else.

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Me too, although I do like to hide my banking and broker passwords!

I don't think they are security or privacy issues (unless possibly you use One Drive - possibly) - I think they are just annoying marketing issues with all platforms competing for market share and the latest features.

Windows and Linux are both rubbish in many respects, but Windows 11 is less rubbish (although more annoying to set up from scratch and do all the settings you want).

Kubuntu is pretty good out of the box and very windows-like - but you can't use Windows programs like Photoshop or Powerdirector and the equivalent programs aren't as good and have stupid names - especially the kubuntu names that all begin with K (Konsole) which is very annoying.

Surprised how many positive comments about Zorin as I thought that was particularly rubbish, slow and very buggy.

You can turn off your location on any device.

AI "privacy" isn't a Windows issue really - it's an internet issue. Plenty of websites and authors complaining AI is plagiarising their work. But I don't think Windows is using AI to compromise privacy - just for AI market share profits to do better or as well as other AI.

As for security - never had an issue on any Windows computer with third party AV since I started using computers. The only issue I ever had was from a usb transmitted trojan and that wasn't on my main computer (but it nearly got into the network).

So network security is important, and security habits are important - regardless of what you use.

TraderGary said:

I do like to hide my banking and broker passwords

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I know you use a password manager Gary....don't you? You're just too careful not to.
For anyone concerned about security, password managers are the only way to go. Delete all those saved passwords in your browser.

glasskuter said:

I know you use a password manager Gary....don't you? You're just too careful not to.
For anyone concerned about security, password managers are the only way to go. Delete all those saved passwords in your browser.

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You bet! I currently use 1Password.

just something to know about passwords if you are using Microsoft Edge Browser

all passwords are encrypted also Edge runs on an encrypted drive
there is a fine line between security working for you and security making it impossible to work.
best of luck Steve ..

Anyone turning on BitLocker for security? Since I'm always mobile, both my System One and System Two have BitLocker turned ON. In my backpack I carry two 4TB Samsung T9 Portable SSD drives using BitLocker To Go for making my daily Macrium Reflect X drive C: images.

With my computers I don't notice any speed difference using BitLocker.

AI will be the greatest probably already is the greatest security threat.. so easy to see something and think it genuinely punctuation still bad but getting better voice also getting better... A scammer paradise..

TraderGary said:

What browser do you use? Do you delete all cookies and site data when closing your browser?

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Edge is reasonable but doesn't mitigate cookie poisoning. Deleting cookies means you will have to re enter passwords etc so not practical. If you want a private, secure OS, it's Qubes or Tails. Again, check here :

ultrajv said:

Edge is reasonable but doesn't mitigate cookie poisoning. Deleting cookies means you will have to re enter passwords etc so not practical. If you want a private, secure OS, it's Qubes or Tails. Again, check here :

https://identitymanagementinstitute.org/computer-cookie-dangers/

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on Edge i use an extension called Cookie Auto Delete. you are able to protect the cookies you wish to keep site by site
for the sites that you wish to save the cookies for but any other cookies and site data that are not protected are auto deleted after 10 seconds.

this way the log on details for your protected sites remains intact.
best of luck Steve ..

TraderGary said:

What browser do you use? Do you delete all cookies and site data when closing your browser?

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That feature is broken for the past month. If you have cookie exceptions, no cookies get deleted.

The cookie is from 15th of October, it lingers along with ~300 others.

XxXxX said:

on Edge i use an extension called Auto Cookie Delete.

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It was not updated in 3 years and it poses a security risk. Abandoned extensions tend to get hijacked by malware authors.

TairikuOkami said:

That feature is broken for the past month. If you have cookie exceptions, no cookies get deleted.

The cookie is from 15th of October, it lingers along with ~300 others.

View attachment 151772


It was not updated in 3 years and it poses a security risk. Abandoned extensions tend to get hijacked by malware authors.

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its working just fine on my two desktops with no issues to date.
best of luck Steve ..

TraderGary said:

Anyone turning on BitLocker for security? Since I'm always mobile, both my System One and System Two have BitLocker turned ON. In my backpack I carry two 4TB Samsung T9 Portable SSD drives using BitLocker To Go for making my daily Macrium Reflect X drive C: images.

With my computers I don't notice any speed difference using BitLocker.

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On my work computer, BitLocker has always been enabled. I've had no problems whatsoever with that configuration. We have 10's of thousands of Windows laptops in our organization, all Bitlocker protected.