Security risks with using Windows 10

[avw1982]

It's hard to trust anything that Microsoft puts out.  They've never hidden the fact that they mine for our information.  So, the question shouldn't be "are they collecting our information?" but more exhaustively,  "what are they doing with the information they've been collecting?"

I am using Windows 8.1 pro version Its very much safe in that, for this security reasons what we have to further dude. Is it any option to make security in windows 10 because I am thinking to update my PC. If you have idea means please share to me

[ArticMine]

It's hard to trust anything that Microsoft puts out.  They've never hidden the fact that they mine for our information.  So, the question shouldn't be "are they collecting our information?" but more exhaustively,  "what are they doing with the information they've been collecting?"

Well there is PRISM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_%28surveillance_program%29 http://www.idownloadblog.com/2013/06/06/new-leaked-presentation-nsa/, but the real motivation is to sell this information to marketers so that they can target ads. An "advertising ID" was started with Windows 8.x. One must also keep in mind that one's "buying habits" can be used to identify a person's ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, sexual identity etc. The lessons of history tell us that the latter information have on more than one occasion placed people at risk of becoming the victims of genocide or ethnic cleansing.

Edit: One of Bitcoin's advantages is that when used properly it provides way less info about a person for data mining than credit card or debit card payments.

[Kprawn]

What can they steal, if you manage the risk properly? Keep the majority of your coins offline and only keep a small amount in a Trezor where they will not be able to get at it.

The other alternative, would be to buy a second computer with GNU/Linux and to use that for Bitcoin related stuff.

I have a old computer for just that purpose around, and it works like a charm. When I transfer coins to cold storage, I use that computer. I bought a dual drive docking station,

with offline cloning and I cloned the OS drive. When I feel like it, I just do a full clone and I start with a fresh install from a cloned image. Not 100% secure, but close to it.

I know the agencies hide some stuff in the firmware, so it's not the ideal solution... but it works for me, for now. 

[Amph]

What can they steal, if you manage the risk properly? Keep the majority of your coins offline and only keep a small amount in a Trezor where they will not be able to get at it.

The other alternative, would be to buy a second computer with GNU/Linux and to use that for Bitcoin related stuff.

I have a old computer for just that purpose around, and it works like a charm. When I transfer coins to cold storage, I use that computer. I bought a dual drive docking station,

with offline cloning and I cloned the OS drive. When I feel like it, I just do a full clone and I start with a fresh install from a cloned image. Not 100% secure, but close to it.

I know the agencies hide some stuff in the firmware, so it's not the ideal solution... but it works for me, for now.  

it's better to load up a virtual machine than spending money on a second computer, there is no way to have the access to the VM, unless they have admin control or something in windows 10

so run the client inside this vm and you're done , or simply remain with windows 7, there is no need to switch even to windows 8 let alone 10...the problem might arise if they cut the support of win 7...

[RaginglikeaBoss]

Bwahahhahaa!!!

If you haven't figured it out by now:  don't use proprietary software ever again!!!!  Thank me later. 

Yes that means any of these handcuff systems like windows or mac that are designed to make computers unusable. 

Seriously, grace period is over.  Use a real general purpose computer -- today.   

So basically write a new machine code based operating system from scratch.  Thanks, real helpful.

[Mickeyb]

OP just buy a Trezor and your problem is solved. Then you don't need to care is it Windows 10, 7 or even 95! Your coins will be safe!

[Snorek]

So that's why this "Get Windows 10" pop up always showing up, luckily I've changed to Windows 7.
Thx OP, this discussion just saved my Bitcoins.

i read that ms automatically downloads windows 10 setup files and forces to install.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/07/28/windows-10-automatic-download/
[/quote]
No, that is not the case anymore. In older systems like win 7 and 8 you will now have just an icon of the windows update which if clicked will upgrade your OS to win 10.
Windows doesn't download any installation files on its own anymore AFIK. And you can get rid of that pesky WIN10 updater if you remove certain Update from your Windows Update Center.

[elvizzzzzzz]

If you are not in full-on panic mode you haven't been fully informed.

Running these prop OS after you signed the eula gives the franchise the right to your hard drive.
You may own the hardware, but the data is theirs. All of it. Including your bitcoin if your wallet is there.

Live with that.

[Tstar]

Update on win 8.1
every month with new updates, windows restores win 10 update without asking me (of course). I hide the update all the but it keeps coming.

They look really desperate to me. Win 10 you'll never have me 

[XinXan]

What can they steal, if you manage the risk properly? Keep the majority of your coins offline and only keep a small amount in a Trezor where they will not be able to get at it.

The other alternative, would be to buy a second computer with GNU/Linux and to use that for Bitcoin related stuff.

I have a old computer for just that purpose around, and it works like a charm. When I transfer coins to cold storage, I use that computer. I bought a dual drive docking station,

with offline cloning and I cloned the OS drive. When I feel like it, I just do a full clone and I start with a fresh install from a cloned image. Not 100% secure, but close to it.

I know the agencies hide some stuff in the firmware, so it's not the ideal solution... but it works for me, for now. 

The option of storing your bitcoins in offline wallets it's obviously very safe but not so good for people that want to trade or use bitcoins for other investments, unless you are planning a super long term investment there is no way anyone would store bitcoins in offline wallets because it's a pain in the ass to use them afterwards.

[ptrsn]

Can i run windows 10 on my apple macbook somehow?

[peta4e]

Can i run windows 10 on my apple macbook somehow?

Why you will need this dvd size virus on your hardware?

[Meuh6879]

Can i run windows 10 on my apple macbook somehow?

Ah ah ah ... mac computer is crap (hardware part).
And have proprietary bios (UEFI re-flashed to recognize only mac folder boot uefi files on disk).

[Racey]

The worse thing about Win 10 is that no more new operating suites will follow it, its just updates and upgrades.
I am using Win7 and each time I need security fixes, they still want me to have the win 10 compatibility update for upgrading.

I refuse of course.

And this one (info) Remove Lenovo USB Blocker version 1.0.0.37 to avoid a system crash.

After you install this security update on certain Lenovo-based computers, you receive the following error message on a blue screen.

Why is even offered? Lenovo based computer I do not have.

[AtheistAKASaneBrain]

It's hard to trust anything that Microsoft puts out.  They've never hidden the fact that they mine for our information.  So, the question shouldn't be "are they collecting our information?" but more exhaustively,  "what are they doing with the information they've been collecting?"

I think it's pretty clear where things are going. Microsoft knows Bitcoin will be huge and worldwide in the future, so how can they keep controlling Bitcoin? By selling Windows 10 services to the NSA and legally allowing them to spy everyone. Let's just hope people stop using it eventually.

[Derek492]

For the love of God, please, switch to Linux!

Linux Mint is a good distribution for ex-windows users.

Build a Linux computer for cheap, save hundreds of dollars, that would otherwise go to these corrupt corporations.

example: build a pc here...
http://www.linuxmint.com/store_computers.php

[ArticMine]

...

it's better to load up a virtual machine than spending money on a second computer, there is no way to have the access to the VM, unless they have admin control or something in windows 10

so run the client inside this vm and you're done , or simply remain with windows 7, there is no need to switch even to windows 8 let alone 10...the problem might arise if they cut the support of win 7...

Running GNU/Linux in a VM as the guest with Windows as the host will not help. A keylogger in the host will easily capture what is being typed into the guest. Furthermore Microsoft retains a higher level of administrative control than they grant the "administrator" accounts. This is required for the DRM in Windows to work since the end user is not trusted, and has been the case especially since Windows Vista.

Edit: A good rule is that if the OS supports DRM at the OS level then there is no privacy at all for the end user. A computer cannot have two masters.

[n691309]

All new windows from Windows 8 8.1 10 all of them have keyloggers, they can even see you from your webcam, get your voice etc, everything is going to be based on cloud, and also the last version (Windows 10) is impossible to disable updates in the regular way.

What do you mean? Keyloggers from microsoft? It's not impossible to disable updates by the way. Do you actually have any evidence of what you are saying here? As previously said they will be able to access your personal data if needed but I doubt they are spying your webcam right now.

Your friend is google, and that is right windows 10 has keylogger which monitors what do you do, what do you write and all other things that i mentioned in the above post.

[Hannu]

I am looking to upgrade to a new computer with Windows 10 but i have head that Windows 10 has some privacy issues which can be security risks to bitcoin wallets on Windows 10 devices. What exactly are those issues and what risks do they pose to bitcoiners using Windows 10?

Linux is better. My bitcoin server collapse totally, when i went to home at work: booting all over again.
Windows 10... I have plan for gameserver to my apartment, when i get payed job 

[maokoto]

As for windows, I think best policy is to never update to a new version until you lose funcionality with the one you have.

I would advice to remain in windows 7, just as many other fellow posters.