Microsoft Can Track Users via a Windows Device ID
3 hours ago
- #Cybersecurity
- #Windows
- #Surveillance
- A teenager's arrest revealed Microsoft's use of a Global Device ID (GDID) to track Windows PCs and online activity, raising surveillance concerns.
- Microsoft provided data linking the hacker to crimes via GDID, which persists across Windows updates but can be reset with a reinstall.
- Experts worry GDID could enable widespread user tracking without cookies, prompting questions about similar identifiers on Apple devices.
- Cybersecurity professionals suggest using Linux or VPNs for anonymity, as GDID may be tied to hardware or other identifiers.