The release of the new version of the Windows 10 operating system has caused a lot of controversy about privacy and many “anti-spyware” applications. These software solutions promise to protect users from "surveillance", but often can cause more problems than solve.
These types of tools include Destroy Windows Spying (DWS Windows 10). This privacy protection program comes with many options. The "Privacy" tab is the most useful section of the program, in which the settings are described in detail, and all that needs to be done is to uncheck or check the box next to each item.
DWS Windows 10 - what is it and how does it work?
Experts disagree in assessing the usefulness of these applications, but they all agree on one thing: the functionality of these programs does not bring anything new to the operation of the operating system, but it can seriously disrupt regular processes.
The generally accepted recommendation is to change your privacy settings yourself using the usual settings in Windows. External tools can cause various system problems and disrupt the user's personal computer.
What do the “anti-spyware” tools and scripts promise?
The developers promise to stop Microsoft spying in just a few clicks as follows:
- change basic settings;
- blocking of web addresses in the hosts file and fault tolerant remote services included in the operating system.
The developers in the description of the software solution list the following advantages:
- very fast speed thanks to optimized algorithmic solutions;
- large audience - millions of users use this program and help to improve it, supplementing the source code;
- the program has advanced settings that allow you to further configure the removal of espionage;
- high efficiency;
- ban and activation of updates;
- constant updating;
- defender shutdown;
- IP blocking
- uninstall Metro applications;
- open source.
The updated version of DWS Destroy Windows 10 Spying includes the following improvements:
- bugs fixed;
- optimized code;
- removed operating system updates that violate user privacy.
Problem with Windows 10 Antispy DWS Tools
This type of application can cause many problems. These include:
- Complete blocking of Windows Update.
- Prevent the installation of important security updates.
- Vulnerability of your PC.
- Violations of the hosts file to block certain Microsoft web servers cause various problems. For example, the Skype application does not synchronize chat messages and does not download updates.
- Disruption of the Windows Store, preventing the installation of applications and updating included applications.
- Disabling Defender antivirus, which helps maintain the security of the operating system and other necessary system components, such as OneDrive.
For example, if you download the PowerShell script “Windows-10” from GitHub and run it, the tool will block various Skype domains in your hosts file, which allows the application to work incorrectly. It can also remove various services from Windows, and not just disable them.
When loading DWS, you can see that the application disables Windows Update, so that the PC does not receive updates to new "spyware" programs. The tool also notes that the changes are irreversible, so there is no easy way to undo them without reinstalling Windows. This means that you will not receive important security updates and stability fixes for issues such as a broken webcam, for example. These are just a few serious problems that can be found with a quick look at the tools of the service.
PC malfunction
The following is a list of changes made by DWS. These include removing and disabling the following components:
- keylogger and telemetry;
- some diagnostic services and Windows Media;
- Cortana;
- Windows Telemetry
- diagnostics;
- blocks inclusion of MRT in "Windows Update" from the registry.
- Adding spy domains to the hosts file and blocking it in the Windows firewall:
- blocks Microsoft telemetry URLs from the hosts file, as well as Microsoft IP telemetry from the firewall and routing table.
DWS disables personal settings:
- Disabled Cortana;
- Camera on LockScreen;
- biometrics from the registry;
- Bing Web Search
- password confirmation button and sensors;
- localization services.
DWS Lite Windows 10 disables the following security features:
- Windows Defender from the registry
- automatic submission of malware samples;
- malware recording;
- Smart Screen Filter.
Disabling tracking in Windows 10 DWS from the task scheduler :
- diagnostics;
- Media Center Discovery;
- service telemetry;
- Customer Experience;
- WinSAT service.
Customization and technical features
The portable application can be run on computers running versions 7, 8, and 10 with the architecture of Windows 10 DWS x86 and x64.
After accessing the main window, you need to activate the program to stop all processes related to activity tracking. This is reflected in the log files, which can be checked by everyone who is interested in all the tasks performed, but users have no control over these actions.
Another convenient feature of Windows 10 DWS x64 is that the program offers the ability to get rid of several pre-installed programs - XBox, Solitaire, OneDrive, Mail, Calendar, People or Builder 3D, as well as various media tools (namely news, weather or sports) .
In the application launcher, check the box corresponding to each of these applications and wait for DWS Windows 10 to automatically delete them.
Cleaning up and deleting the hosts file
This utility allows you to access the hosts file from a computer running Windows 10 or delete all its contents.
In addition, it allows you to access privacy settings directly from this application and manually disable further settings. The disadvantage of this method is that you must be a highly qualified user to make sure that these actions are safe.
The latest version of DWS Windows 10 can be used by anyone who is concerned about privacy when using Windows 10. This release of the application does not come with many customizable features, and thus is more suitable for novice users because they just need to click a button and turn off tracking.
Self-tuning security settings
Some applications, such as Windows 10 Antispy DWS, may work fine, but most tools and scripts are harmful and dangerous, although to varying degrees. Often, when an OS malfunctions, it is necessary to restart or reinstall Windows 10. Since the anti-tracking program is not an unambiguous solution, you can configure the privacy settings yourself.
Some settings are unavailable for a good reason - the user should not completely turn off Windows Update, since security updates are crucial. It is also unacceptable to completely disable telemetry in home or professional versions of the OS. Many tools set the Allow Telemetry option to zero. This only works in Enterprise and Education Windows 10 editions.
In other cases, Microsoft can easily get around these changes. Windows 10 actually ignores the hosts file for certain domains, which means that trying to block domains in your hosts file will actually do nothing. Thus, tools and scripts against espionage do not meet their promises.
OS control
Windows 10 has many new features, but along with this there is a leak of confidential data that sends personal information about the use of a personal computer to Microsoft. Of course, these settings can be disabled at any time, but the main task that users face is to find them.
Windows 10 offers many features for user convenience, such as the Cortana virtual assistant , which can make everyday life easier. To make this possible, the operating system must collect huge amounts of data. The OS also analyzes user profiles and is configured by default to collect large amounts of data.
When expanding control over your operating system, do the following:
- adapt your security settings;
- protect your privacy;
- Turn off location services
- manage Windows updates;
- do not transmit user data and diagnostics.